Ergonomics Assessment

Ergonomics means designing the work environment and specific job tasks to fit the worker’s need for comfort, health and safety. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability.

Ergonomic hazards are workplace conditions that pose the risk of injury to an employee. They include repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, temperature extremes, and static and awkward postures that arise from improper work methods and improperly designed workstations, tools and equipment. The main ergonomic risk factors in the office are:

• Repetition: Tasks or body movements carried out over and over again.
• Awkward postures: Body positions that deviate from neutral, such as twisting the neck to view a monitor or reaching to use a mouse.
• Static forces: Maintaining a position for a prolonged period of time (e.g., prolonged sitting, viewing the monitor with a bent neck, or reaching for the keyboard).

At Columbia Physical Therapy, we will visit on site to assess the fit between the worker and the workstation and ensure proper workstation set up to avoid potential hazards. Workers will be educated to understand how to adjust their workstations to suit their individual needs.