How You're Impacted - Ergonomic Hazards in the Workplace

By: Updated: January 28, 2022

When humans were hunter-gatherers, they used their bodies for a wide variety of tasks and seldom did the same thing all day. In the last 150 years since the start of the industrial revolution, many workers do repetitive work, whether that be in manufacturing, warehouses or an office.

Our bodies simply weren’t designed for this – so we have to take precautions. This has been exacerbated by more people working remotely from home, where the standards of ergonomic health and safety may be lower. You may not have an ergonomic chair and ergonomic keyboard in your dining room.

Read on to learn more how ergonomics in the workplace can have an impact on all workers in Canada and what you can do about it.

 

What is an ergonomic hazard?

Ergonomic hazard is an umbrella term for a wide range of risks. Some of these include:

  • Improperly adjusted workstation and chair
  • Frequent lifting of heavy objects
  • Repetitive movements such as keyboarding
  • Awkward posture

 

What does ergonomic mean?

Ergonomic simply means anything relating to the efficiency and comfort in the working environment.

 

Why is ergonomics important?

Proper ergonomics in the workplace are essential to health and safety. Every employer seeks to keep employees injury free.

In addition, ergonomics can have an impact on mental health. If your back is sore from poor posture or your hand hurts from repetitive strain, it can contribute to depression and mental illness.

For employers, ergonomics can keep your workforce healthy and productive. If employees must take time off to deal with workplace injuries, it can mean missed production targets or office deadlines.

 

What is an ergonomic hazard?

Ergonomic health hazards can exist in any workplace. They are perhaps more obvious in manufacturing and warehousing. On a production line, an employee may spend the entire day repeating the same task of assembling a part. This repetition can take a huge toll on the human body.

In a warehouse, staff may be required to lift heavy boxes all day. Restaurant workers are vulnerable because they spend their entire shift on their feet, which can lead to lower back pain and other injuries.

Office workers face risks, mostly related to sitting for eight hours a day. The human body just isn’t designed for this. Office staff can face hand and wrist pain due to repetitive strain injuries from keyboarding. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common problem.

 

What are the causes of ergonomic hazards?

Ergonomic health hazards can have a wide range of causes. Two of the most important ones are:

  1. Poorly designed workspace and processes: Office workers need a working environment that supports good posture. Manufacturing and warehouse workers should only lift boxes that are fairly light.
  2. Repetition: Any kind of repetitive work can put a strain on the body. In manufacturing, employees should be rotated to different stations to do a variety of tasks. Office workers can be encouraged to attend meetings standing up or while going for a walk outside.

 

The risks of working from home

In the last few years, more people than ever are working from home. This trend will likely continue even after the pandemic eases. Unfortunately, remote work can carry higher risks of ergonomic injury than being in an office. Many home offices are just temporary – an employee sets up their computer on the dining room table and sits all day on an ordinary chair. In comparison, many offices have ergonomically designed chairs and desks.

Here’s what you can do while working at home: Consider investing in an ergonomic chair and a computer stand that allows you to type while maintaining good posture. Ask your employer if they will pay for all of part of these costs. If they won’t, you may want to make the investment yourself – it will be worth it to maintain your health.

 

Ergonomic hazard examples

Bon Appetit is an Ontario-based restaurant specializing in European cuisine. They use only fresh ingredients and the kitchen staff spend a lot of time chopping vegetables, preparing sauces and making pastries for dessert. The team members are on their feet for the entire shift. Some of the measures the restaurant has implemented to reduce ergonomic hazards include: Sharpening knives regularly to reduce the strain on wrists and hands; installing floor mats to make standing more comfortable; and changing the counter height so that employees can maintain good posture while working.

At the XYZ Call Centre in New Brunswick, workers take calls from clients for a variety of client companies, including restaurants and hotels. The employees are sitting during their entire shift, resulting in sore backs. Some staff have had to take leaves of absence due to back pain. XYZ has responded by bringing in some stand-up desks so that employees can be on their feet at least part of the day. This has helped reduced back pain and helped staff to be more energized on the phone with customers.

 

Ergonomic hazards control measures

As an employer, how do you know when your workplace is facing issues around ergonomic health hazards? Here are some warning signs that you need to bring in hazards control measures:

  • Employees are experiencing injuries such as back pain and sore muscles
  • There are “slip and fall” accidents in the production facility or warehouse
  • The rate of sick days taken or staff quitting is high
  • The quality of products is declining and customers are complaining about defects

If you are being hit by these challenges, it may be time to investigate further to discover the root causes.

 

How can ergonomic hazards be prevented?

There are a number of ergonomic consulting companies that will come to your workplace and conduct a health and safety assessment. You can then make changes to workspaces and processes to reduce ergonomic health hazards.

Employee training is vital to prevention. Staff should know how to use equipment to reduce the risk of injury. Ergonomic coaches have expertise in helping employees work safely.

 

Ergonomic hazards are everyone’s responsibility

If you are an employee and are experiencing pain or injury due to ergonomic health hazards, speak up! It’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the workplace is safe. In addition, employers have an interest in reducing risk – this will cut lost-time due to injuries and absenteeism.

 

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