Ergonomic Services

Industrial & Office Ergonomic Services
The discipline of ergonomics, is a holistic approach to reducing worker injury. It acknowledges the importance of the human in any system of work. The benefits of ergonomics in industrial and office environments are well proven. The main benefits include: Improved health and safety of workers. Ergonomics frequently focuses on dealing with Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) and back injuries. These disorders can frequently be avoided or the severity reduced through the application of ergonomic principles. Improved effectiveness and efficiency of workers. Performance, quality and productivity improve when compatibility exists between the work process and the people involved. Hence ergonomics makes good economic sense. Compliance with relevant Health & Safety Regulations and standards. Work done to ensure compliance with legal requirements should also lead to improved workplace/workstation ergonomics. Avoidance of personal injury litigation by reducing the risk of accidents, illness and injury. OHSS staff has the knowledge and skills to assist in managing poor ergonomics in the design or use of the office or industrial workplace. We offer a customised service to suit our clients’ individual needs yet always promoting a healthier and productive workforce and reducing the costs, both economic and personnel, associated with poor systems of work. *Dealing with Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders* The incidence of musculoskeletal injury, such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, to computer users has increased dramatically in the past decade. This is primarily because computer interaction has increased at a phenomenal rate. Likewise in industry backaches, sore shoulders, elbows or wrists and numb or tingling hands are sometimes linked with the working environment and work practices. Consequently employee claims for Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) have increased at a dramatic rate and subsequently the cost of insurance claims have spiralled upwards. These expenditures represent a large portion of operation costs. The incidence of WMSDs warrants a commitment to action as many of these accidents and costs can be prevented. At OHSS, our ergonomic experts understand the factors, which contribute to and/or reduce exposure to WMSDs. Positive factors assisting in reduction of ergonomic risk exposure include: Fit capable workers, Maximal ergonomic design of the system of work, and Safety and technique education. Assessing and dealing with risk factors e.g. awkward postures, repetitive movements and forceful exertions, is an essential step in the creation of a productive, healthy and safe workplace.

Industrial & Office Ergonomic Services

The discipline of ergonomics, is a holistic approach to reducing worker injury. It acknowledges the importance of the human in any system of work. The benefits of ergonomics in industrial and office environments are well proven. The main benefits include:

Improved health and safety of workers. Ergonomics frequently focuses on dealing with Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) and back injuries. These disorders can frequently be avoided or the severity reduced through the application of ergonomic principles.
Improved effectiveness and efficiency of workers. Performance, quality and productivity improve when compatibility exists between the work process and the people involved. Hence ergonomics makes good economic sense.
Compliance with relevant Health & Safety Regulations and standards. Work done to ensure compliance with legal requirements should also lead to improved workplace/workstation ergonomics.
Avoidance of personal injury litigation by reducing the risk of accidents, illness and injury.

OHSS staff has the knowledge and skills to assist in managing poor ergonomics in the design or use of the office or industrial workplace. We offer a customised service to suit our clients’ individual needs yet always promoting a healthier and productive workforce and reducing the costs, both economic and personnel, associated with poor systems of work.

Dealing with Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

The incidence of musculoskeletal injury, such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, to computer users has increased dramatically in the past decade. This is primarily because computer interaction has increased at a phenomenal rate. Likewise in industry backaches, sore shoulders, elbows or wrists and numb or tingling hands are sometimes linked with the working environment and work practices.

Consequently employee claims for Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) have increased at a dramatic rate and subsequently the cost of insurance claims have spiralled upwards. These expenditures represent a large portion of operation costs. The incidence of WMSDs warrants a commitment to action as many of these accidents and costs can be prevented.

At OHSS, our ergonomic experts understand the factors, which contribute to and/or reduce exposure to WMSDs. Positive factors assisting in reduction of ergonomic risk exposure include:

Fit capable workers,
Maximal ergonomic design of the system of work, and
Safety and technique education.

Assessing and dealing with risk factors e.g. awkward postures, repetitive movements and forceful exertions, is an essential step in the creation of a productive, healthy and safe workplace.


*DISPLAY* SCREEN EQUIPMENT/INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS *RISK ASSESSMENT & MANAGEMENT* The aim of the assessments is to take a comprehensive global look at all factors, which may have an influence on worker effectiveness, efficiency, safety and comfort while engaged in work. Work performed by Display Screen Equipment (DSE) users, material manual handlers (MMH) and assembly worker is commonly associated with ergonomic risk factors. As well as making good ergonomic sense, Safety & Health legislation also requires the performance of risk assessments on DSE and MMH operations. The input of an ergonomic expert is vital in the analysis of risk factors and in developing avoidance strategies for the future. Management of a problem demands a practical understanding of the whole spectrum of workstation, workplace and environmental ergonomics. Our practitioners have the expertise to ensure that you receive the best advice and assistance to manage your ergonomic problems. *FURNITURE/EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION & SELECTION* By applying ergonomic and safety criteria OHSS ergonomic experts can recommend furniture and equipment which will ensure that workstations meet both the real needs of workers and the demands of their jobs. Compliance with Safety Regulations and Standards is also guaranteed. Delivering ergonomically sound, comfortable, safe and usable equipment/furniture which supports the tasks workers are performing, are the key steps in the process of selection. *WORKPLACE/WORKSTATION DESIGN* Our ergonomists work with in-house designers and engineers and external suppliers and experts to ensure that workplace layout and workstation design accommodate the worker. By selectively applying practical ergonomic principles, we help to ensure that the work process is both functional and safe. *ERGONOMIC JOB ANALYSIS* The primary objective of a rehabilitative ergonomics programme is to reduce exposure to working conditions and/or job demands that may have contributed to the development of specific disorders. An ergonomic analysis is an integral part of a work injury management programme because it provides the procedures and tools needed to identify and evaluate harmful exposures prior to the injured workers return to work. The analysis provides the information required to answer the following questions (a) Does the job expose a worker to forceful exertion, awkward postures, localised contact stress, temperature or lighting extremes, repetitive or sustained activity? (b) What aspect of the job (i.e. workstation layout, physical environment, work pace, work methods, worker attributes, mental workload) causes or contributes to worker exposure? Questions in relation to the system of work can be answered for you by OHSS and must be addressed prior to returning an injured worker to the workplace. *JOBCOACHING* This service provides the employee with ‘one-to-one’ on the job coaching upon return to work. This ensures the safety of the worker and the appropriateness of the job. In particular it provides: Documentation of compliance with recommendations Assistance with the implementation of techniques learnt during rehabilitation. Reinforcement, support and ensures the correct utilisation of learnt techniques.

DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT/INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS

RISK ASSESSMENT & MANAGEMENT

The aim of the assessments is to take a comprehensive global look at all factors, which may have an influence on worker effectiveness, efficiency, safety and comfort while engaged in work. Work performed by Display Screen Equipment (DSE) users, material manual handlers (MMH) and assembly worker is commonly associated with ergonomic risk factors.

As well as making good ergonomic sense, Safety & Health legislation also requires the performance of risk assessments on DSE and MMH operations. The input of an ergonomic expert is vital in the analysis of risk factors and in developing avoidance strategies for the future. Management of a problem demands a practical understanding of the whole spectrum of workstation, workplace and environmental ergonomics. Our practitioners have the expertise to ensure that you receive the best advice and assistance to manage your ergonomic problems.

FURNITURE/EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION & SELECTION

By applying ergonomic and safety criteria OHSS ergonomic experts can recommend furniture and equipment which will ensure that workstations meet both the real needs of workers and the demands of their jobs. Compliance with Safety Regulations and Standards is also guaranteed. Delivering ergonomically sound, comfortable, safe and usable equipment/furniture which supports the tasks workers are performing, are the key steps in the process of selection.

WORKPLACE/WORKSTATION DESIGN

Our ergonomists work with in-house designers and engineers and external suppliers and experts to ensure that workplace layout and workstation design accommodate the worker. By selectively applying practical ergonomic principles, we help to ensure that the work process is both functional and safe.

ERGONOMIC JOB ANALYSIS

The primary objective of a rehabilitative ergonomics programme is to reduce exposure to working conditions and/or job demands that may have contributed to the development of specific disorders. An ergonomic analysis is an integral part of a work injury management programme because it provides the procedures and tools needed to identify and evaluate harmful exposures prior to the injured workers return to work. The analysis provides the information required to answer the following questions

(a) Does the job expose a worker to forceful exertion, awkward postures, localised contact stress, temperature or lighting extremes, repetitive or sustained activity?

(b) What aspect of the job (i.e. workstation layout, physical environment, work pace, work methods, worker attributes, mental workload) causes or contributes to worker exposure?

Questions in relation to the system of work can be answered for you by OHSS and must be addressed prior to returning an injured worker to the workplace.

JOBCOACHING

This service provides the employee with ‘one-to-one’ on the job coaching upon return to work.

This ensures the safety of the worker and the appropriateness of the job.

In particular it provides:

Documentation of compliance with recommendations
Assistance with the implementation of techniques learnt during rehabilitation.
Reinforcement, support and ensures the correct utilisation of learnt techniques.