Workplace Ergonomics 101: How to Avoid Fatigue

Poor workplace ergonomics can affect your health and well-being. Avoid fatigue and other problems with our guide to workplace ergonomics.

Ergonomics is the workplace design science that puts the capabilities and limitations of workers into mind.

Poor worksite design causes fatigued, hurting, and frustrated workers. Besides, it can lead to lower productivity and costly injuries.

Systematic workplace ergonomics cut risk factors which enable enhanced productivity and human performance.

Improvements to working process eradicate obstacles ensuring optimum safe work performance.

Reasons to Consider Workplace Ergonomics

The objective of office ergonomics is to have an office work station that allows a comfortable working environment that fit workers. Don’t you think every company wants to achieve maximum efficiency and higher productivity?

The ergonomics improvement process can be a primary contributor to:

Company’s competitiveness in the marketplace
Better working experience

Ergonomically correct work stations assist companies in avoiding discomfort and fatigue to their workers.

Poor workplace ergonomics negatively affect workers health and their wellbeing. Avoid fatigue and other problems by using our guide of eight principles below.

1.Maintain Neutral Posture

Neutral postures involve the body’s position when it’s balanced and aligned when you are standing or sitting. The posture aligns joints and puts minimal stress to the body. There’s the minimum application of stress to tendons, muscles, bones, and nerves.

Maintaining neutral posture boosts production and permits maximum control. However, “awkward” postures move away from the neutral posture to the extremes in motion range.

When the musculoskeletal system of a worker gets exposed to more stress, it causes Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).

2. Work in the Comfort / Power Zone

The principle is similar to sustaining a neutral posture. The lifting power zone is near the body between the mid-chest height and mid-thigh. It’s the zone where the back and arms can lift the most weight using a minimum amount of effort.

The position is also called a comfort zone or handshake zone. Here is the principle: You maintain a neutral posture and minimize excessive reach if you can “shake hands” with your work.

Working from the power/comfort/ handshake zone ensures you are working from proper heights and reaches. That reduces MSD risk factors and allows for more efficient and pain-free work.

For instance, workers are outside their comfort zone if operating at improper heights and extended reach.

3. Allow for Movement & Stretching

The musculoskeletal system is the movement system of the body. Working for extended periods in a static position causes your body to fatigue. That’s called static load.

You can experience static load if you engage in one of the following:

Raise your hands above your head for 30 minutes nonstop
Remain standing in a similar position for 8 hours nonstop
Write with a pencil for 60 minutes nonstop

Warming up improves performance and lowers injury risk. A great way your body can practice for work is through a warm-up stretching regimen. Taking periodic stretch breaks is also beneficial.

It restores your energy and keeps your blood moving.

4. Reduce Excessive Force

Use of excessive force is among the major ergonomic risk factors. Muscle effort augments in reaction to high force requirements. That raises fatigue and increases the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).

Workers should recognize when a job requires excessive force. The solution is to reduce the applied force.

Companies can reduce muscle exertions and work effort by using counterbalance systems and powered equipment. Ergonomic tools, adjustable workstations, and height lift tables also come in handy.

5. Reduce Excessive Motions

Repetitive motion is one of the leading ergonomic risk factors. Many work cycles and tasks are repetitive. They are regularly controlled by daily or hourly work processes and production targets.

Combining high task repetition with risks factors such as awkward postures leads to MSDs. A job with a cycle time of 30 seconds or less is considered highly repetitive.

In situations where it’s hard to eliminate unnecessary or excessive motions, eliminate awkward postures and excessive force requirements. Other control methods include counteractive stretch breaks, job rotation, and job enlargement.

6. Minimize Contact Stress

Contact stress results from rubbing between sharp or hard objects/surfaces. Individuals with sensitive body tissue are also affected. The contact forms localized pressure in a small body part which inhibits nerve function, the flow of blood or movement of muscles and tendons.

The following can be causes of contact stress:

Pressing of tool handles into the palms
Resting your wrists on sharp edges
Sitting without enough space for your knees

7. Reduce Excessive Vibration

Studies show that frequent and regular exposure to vibration causes permanent adverse health effects. The effects mostly happen after you come into contact with vibrating equipment.

Hand-arm vibration can cause a wide range of conditions jointly called hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). It can also result in specific diseases like tendinitis, carpel tunnel syndrome, Raynaud’s circulatory, and white finger.

Vibration syndrome causes neural and circulatory effects in the fingers. The symptoms and signs include pain, numbness, and blanching (turning ashen and pale).

8. Provide Adequate Lighting

Didn’t you know that poor lighting is a regular problem in the workplace? In poorly lit workplaces, there’s poor performance, and workers suffer from low comfort levels. Too little or too much light complicates doing of work.

Glare and dimly lit work areas can cause headaches and eye fatigue. Improperly lit places greatly risk workers with different forms of injuries.

Offering workers adjustable task lighting is a simple solution to lighting challenges.

For instance, in a computer workstation, take the step to control screen glare. Ensure the monitors aren’t placed in front of a bright background or a window.

What do you think about workplace wellness? Every company should host a broad range of monthly events. A corporate wellness program supports and encourages holistic approaches to employees’ wellbeing.

That’s achieved by creating an organizational health culture.

Workplace Ergonomics – Wrapping it Up

Workplace ergonomics don’t have to be complicated or stressful. I hope you have enjoyed reading our easy and quick office ergonomics tips. The guidelines will assist the workers in your company to drop physical stress, discomfort, and fatigue.

In turn, the office ergonomics tips will boost comfort and productivity. We can’t make enough emphasis on the benefits of office ergonomics and corporate wellness. Bookmark our page and make your life healthier.

Workplace Ergonomics 101: How to Avoid Fatigue