Ergonomics is the science that focuses on adapting tools and conditions to people so that they can function optimally. In short, it means adapting working conditions to people in such a way that they can function optimally. Ergonomics not only has a positive influence on employees' health, but also affects productivity. When employees make optimal use of ergonomics, productivity also goes up. In this blog, we provide more information on work-related injuries and the positive impact of ergonomics on an employee's productivity.
Prevention of work-related injuries
There are a number of things you can do to prevent work-related injuries. We list some of them for you below:
- When doing sedentary work, it is important to sit in a good office chair. An ergonomic office chair ensures correct posture and thus prevents a lot of physical complaints.
- Try to move around as much as possible. This prevents back pain and injuries. It also strengthens your body and keeps you fit and flexible.
- If your work involves a lot of lifting, it is important that you do this correctly. Bend your knees and hips and try to let your legs do the work. Make sure to keep the object you are lifting close to your body and keep your back straight.
- Using a footrest is also recommended when doing office work. Make sure your knees are at an angle between 90 and 120 degrees.
- When doing sedentary work, it is important to get up every 2 hours, take a break and move around. This re-stimulates blood circulation. This reduces the risk of multiple diseases.
Common work-related injuries
There are several injuries that are work-related. We list some of them for you.
- Tennis elbow: This is an overuse of the tendons in the elbow and is caused by repetitive movements. Tennis elbow causes pain in the elbow. In some cases, the pain radiates to the forearm and may even cause loss of strength.
- Back and neck pain: this can be caused by making repetitive movements but also by an accident, for example. This is the most common work-related injury.
- Quervain's Syndrome: this syndrome is tendonitis of the thumb and wrist. It causes pain and swelling and results in limited mobility.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: this is a narrowing of the nerve in the hand. This causes pain, tingling and numbness. It can also cause loss of strength.
- Tendinitis: this is caused when the knee is overloaded for a long time, as well as by overstretching and making repetitive movements.
Improving productivity
When you design and adjust your workplace in the right ergonomic way, it ensures the right posture and height. This makes you work more relaxed, which in turn improves productivity.
Improving employee engagement
Good ergonomics contributes to reducing physical complaints that occur when the workplace is not properly designed. Employees who do not feel comfortable or are uncomfortable, experience more fatigue and, as a result, productivity decreases. When the workplace is properly adjusted to the individual needs of the employee, such as the right chair height, desk height and monitor position, employees can work more comfortably and, as a result, they feel better. This not only results in greater productivity, but also increases engagement.
