Understanding the ergonomic approach in companies
We spend about 1/3 of our day at work! Concerns about working conditions are therefore naturally becoming more and more important in companies. Ergonomics is increasingly being discussed without people knowing what it really means. That is why we are going to decipher the ergonomic process in companies for you!
What does ergonomics in the office actually mean?
Ergonomics is the science of studying people at work and designing tasks, equipment, workstations and even rules so that we can all work safely, comfortably and as efficiently as possible.
Ergonomics to combat musculoskeletal disorders
Adopting ergonomic office equipment and practices helps to create good working conditions, in particular to prevent the development of MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders).
- MSDs acknowledged as work-related have jumped by 60% in just 10 years
- and 45% of them result in after-effects for those affected.
In the context of office work, the most common musculoskeletal disorders are related to the back, wrists, neck, etc. The cause: static posture, computer work, excessive use of certain joints, etc. And this is where the intervention of an ergonomist becomes very useful!
To go further and understand the importance of ergonomics in the office, we interviewed Evelyne Yalbir and Cyrielle Hoareau, ergonomists at Ergonomades in Paris.
The ergonomic approach in companies
Ergonomics is the science of studying people at work and designing tasks, equipment, work spaces and even rules so that we can all work safely.
- › Insight into the issues underlying the request for intervention.
- › Identification of the risks associated with office work: equipment, posture, layout of the room.
- › Precise analysis of workstations, effects and consequences of duration and frequency of computer work.
- › Proposing solutions to improve working conditions and reduce negative health effects.
- › Identifying the needs of employees in terms of lay-out of the workplaces, equipment, furniture and organisation.
Office ergonomics in 6 key points
To try to prevent these risks and improve working conditions, ergonomists monitor employees in their activity, paying particular attention to six criteria.
1 - Workstation design
How is the desk? How is the screen positioned?
2 - Equipment and resources made available to the workers
Screen type, keyboard, mouse...
3 - The duration and frequency of computer use
How much time does the employee spend behind his or her screen?
4 - The different postures and joints/muscles involved and the duration of exposure
Bending, twisting, stretching ...
5 - Pace and break times
Do employees have a fixed work schedule? Do they have fixed breaks, or are they free to take a break whenever they need to?
6 - The variety of tasks to be performed
Screen work, paperwork, telephone work ...
Ergonomists also take into account the specific characteristics of each individual (age, gender, physical characteristics, etc.) and the general state of the working environment (state and operation of the company).
This analysis makes it possible to identify the most important factors underlying the problems encountered by people in carrying out their activity and to make proposals for action. For example, by changing gestures, attitudes, processes or equipment (depending on the feasibility and resources of the company).
Therefore, a successful ergonomic approach relies on the cooperation of the different stakeholders: managers, employees, ergonomists and office equipment suppliers, and contributes to better working conditions, less health risks and higher productivity.
Ergonomics in the office: tested and approved
Elodie, a project manager in a management company in Paris, tells us about her experiences following the intervention of Ergonomades in her office.
"I have been working in a computer job for 14 years, 8 hours a day. I developed several physical pains in my back and wrists. I realised that these pains were related to my work activity: working at a monitor, sitting for long periods, repetitive movements with the keyboard and mouse. I decided to react! First, I bought a mouse pad with wrist support and replaced my mouse with a presenter mouse.
I also try to put into practice the advice of my rheumatologist: I do stretching exercises once or twice a day to relieve my muscles. In addition, I have spoken to the occupational health service, which has enabled me to get a sit/stand desk with electric adjustment and an ergonomic keyboard. This adapted equipment has helped me a lot to improve my posture and thus to reduce my muscle tension. Now, thanks to my adjustable desk, I spend almost 60% of my working day standing. I change my posture regularly, I feel that I am putting less strain on my muscles ... and I have much less pain than before!"
Elodie