Ergonomics is the study of how to fit the workplace to the worker. While the use of the term ergonomics has become more common lately, ergonomics is not a new science. The term was actually coined in 1857 by a Polish scholar. The key points to remember are that ergonomics should:
- Fit the workplace to the worker
- Not fit the worker to the workplace.
Where does the word Ergonomics come from? Ergonomics is derived from two Greek words Ergon meaning work, and Nomos meaning principles or laws, therefore, ergonomics is the study of work.
Fitting the Worker to the Workplace
A worker should not have to adjust themselves to accommodate their workplace set up. If a worker must adjust to fit the workplace, they become at risk to sustain a work-related musculoskeletal disorder or WMSD.
Example: A worker that is trying to fit into their workplace by adjusting their posture. This worker wears bifocals and must view a monitor through the bottom portion of her glasses which forces her to extend her neck back to view the screen. Prolonged periods in this posture could cause neck and eye strain.
To reduce the risk of WMSDs, the workplace should be designed to fit the worker. The worker no longer has to extend their neck back to view the monitor because the monitor has been positioned at the proper sight level, directly in front of the user. This is an example of a workplace that is fit to the worker.
Importance of Ergonomics
The application of ergonomics can:
- Support mission readiness
- Improve health and safety through the reduction of ergonomics risk factors and resulting work-related injuries and disorders
- Improve comfort, morale, productivity, and job satisfaction
- Reduce workers’ compensation costs and employee turnover
- Injuries affect not only the worker but the people they interact with as well.
- For example, a serviceman lifting and carrying a piece of a bridge incurs back strain. Co-workers may have to work harder to compensate for their injured colleague, which may increase their risk of injury. Safety and health personnel must document and investigate the incident, which involves supervisors, administrative assistance, and management. Medical personnel are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of the injury.
- The effects can carry over into the serviceman’s career and personal life. Family and friends may have the task of caring for him during his recovery and taking on some of his responsibilities around the home, such as maintaining the yard, fixing the cars, or even coaching little league. The impacts of an injury extend well beyond the worker who experiences the problem.
Injuries – Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)
WMSDs are a category of injuries and disorders that deal with the musculoskeletal system. These disorders are not usually caused by acute trauma but instead occur slowly over time due to wear and tear on soft tissues such as:
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Cartilage
- Nerves
MSDs are preventable but everyone is at risk.
What are the training requirements for ergonomics?
There are no specific training requirements for ergonomics. However, employees who have been trained to identify and avoid ergonomic hazards are better able to avoid those hazards, leading to a safer workplace.
You can get more training from RCL Safety Centre through https: www.safetycentre.ng/training_register
At RCL Industrial Safety Centre this training is also available in different Nigerian languages like PIDGIN,YORUBA,HAUSA AND IGBO
Our company (RCL Safety Centre) is an indigenous company dedicated to Health, Safety and Environment Training and Services.
We are technical partners of the National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) as well as approved training partners of most major International Occupational Safety and Health organizations like NEBOSH, and corporate members of ISPON (Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria) with thousands of personnel trained in various areas till date.
For more information visit our website: www.safetycentre.ng
Email: sale@safetycentre.ng or mma@safetycentre.ng
Contact us on: 08099700070, 08098600070, 09057666623/25/26