“We’re Expanding to Cleveland…”

Posted on February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

cleveland indians stadium

Ergonomics is, first and foremost, about culture. It’s easy for employees to feel that “my employer won’t let me clock out now,” or “I need to work myself into the ground.” These are not healthy thoughts. However, they are rather common when considering the cultural pressure placed on some employees. Employees need to feel comfortable to break when needed, rest their eyes from the computer, and perform critical stretches to limit strain.

Expanding to Cleveland & Detroit

When thinking of where to expand to, the Midwest cities of Cleveland and Detroit came to mind. Here we had the image of hard-working Americans working in the factories. Of course, the reality is more complex. But there is something to that image.

A Great Working Culture

With employee putting in long hours, some companies have responded in kind. Some cute examples:

1) Quicken Loans give cakes to employees on their birthday.

2) Progressive provides a flexible working culture. They train employee to advance their technical skills and advance in the company .

3) GM provides employees with personalized mentorship and offers various career advancement opportunities.

Companies invest in their employees fostering loyalty and productivity. Ergonomics, then, is the next step in employee investment. It’s about looking at employee health individually while seeing how he or she fits into the company’s greater parts. It’s about recognizing injury risk and preventing problems before they begin. Our ergonomic specialists are trained in rehab and preventative medicine. We can identify why companies experience more claims and what can be done to avoid repetitive strain injuries in the future. So to conclude: Detroit and Cleveland companies… we are here for you.

Thanks for reading!

Shaul Lent OT/L, MA, CEAS
Lead Ergonomic Specialist
Ergonomics Advance.

Minimize Claims

Posted on December 24, 2020December 24, 2020 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

The Risk of Injury

Exercises recommended by an ergonomic specialist

We spend much of our day in the same position. Whether sitting in a chair or standing in front of an assembly line, out limbs are constantly moving. According to the National Business Group on Health, one in a hundred employees sustain a repetitive motion injury. On average, each of these injuries cost a company $27,700 per case. These are not fluke accidents or unavoidable experiences. Many of these injuries are preventable (National Business Group on Health, 2011). Employees are repeating the same motion, day-in and day-out, usually in an awkward position. They are typing or using the mouse for more than six hours a day while keeping the wrist and fingers in poor positions. They are repetitively bending the back to lift heavy loads. While these activities might seem safe, it is these repetitive motions and positions that pose the greatest risk to an employee’s health.

So how can we help?

Ergonomic specialists design workstations, teach people proper habits, and make individualized equipment recommendations. We could recommend an adjustable chair to ensure neutral postures or develop an exercise routine to keep tissues healthy. Ergonomic specialists have had a lot of success reducing the risk of injury. Companies who have implemented a successful ergonomic program are able to reduce disability days between 10-35%. With a successful ergonomic program, companies have also been able to reduce turnover rates as well as improve return to work rates (Heller-Ono, 2014). At Ergonomics Advance, we are here to help . With our expertise, your company too can reduce the risk of workplace injury. To find out more, please contact us.

Thanks for reading,

Shaul Lent OT/L, MA, CEAS I & II
Lead Ergonomic Specialist
Ergonomics Advance

Sources:

National Business Group on Health (2011). Fact Sheet Overexertion injuries. https://www.businessgrouphealth.org

Heller-Ono, A (2014) A Prospective Study of a Macro-ergonomics Process over Five Years Demonstrates Significant Prevention of Workers’ Compensation Claims Resulting in Projected Savings. Evaluation 30:90

What To Look For When Purchasing A Standing Desk

Posted on January 8, 2020January 16, 2020 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

Introduction

People often tell me that a standing desk will alleviate all workplace discomfort. In reality, standing workstations are not for everyone. In this article, I will give you points to consider before purchasing a sit-stand workstation.

These People Likely Need It

Often, employees with hip pain or returning to work after back surgery will experience discomfort after sitting for 15 minutes. If in these situations, standing alleviates discomfort, then a sit-stand desk could be appropriate.

Some people don’t experience strain in sitting but sit for long hours at a time. Because of work duties, some employees cannot get away from their desks. They do not take regular breaks in standing and sit at their desks for lunch. I have met people who work for up to 10-hours a day, sit at their desk for 5 hours at a time, and only get up to go to the bathroom. For employees who need to work at their desks like this, a standing desk could be an appropriate option. It will allow you to regularly alternate positions, decrease stiffness, and promote concentration.

Points To Consider

There are a few types of sit-stand desks out there. Here are some points to consider before purchasing a standing desk.

Desk size

Before purchasing a sit-stand desk, check the specifications. You should ask yourself: what is the width and depth of the table (top of the desk)? Will I be able to fit all of my supplies, computer equipment and hard copy paperwork on the work surface? Is the table depth too small? Can I position my monitor(s) about an arms length away or will I have to place it uncomfortably close? Will this desk fit my current/remodeled workspace? You will have to get out a measuring tape to answer these questions. Thoughtfully considering these questions before your purchase will ensure the correct fit.

The Sit-Stand Converter

The sit-stand converter (AKA standing desk riser) allows you to raise the height of your workstation without remodeling and/or purchasing a new desk. Sit-stand converters are less expensive than a full-on sit-stand desk. Still, consumers must understand exactly what they want and what problems they are trying to solve before purchasing a sit-stand converter. On many occasions, the more expensive full-on standing desk will be necessary. Before purchasing a sit-stand converter consider the fact that this converter will go over an existing desk. It will raise the height of your entire workstation. If you are reaching up for your keyboard and mouse the converter will raise these input devices even further. You also need to consider the size of the sit-stand converter. Ask yourself: will the top of the converter give me enough space for my monitor(s)? Will the tray provide room for my keyboard and mouse (some converter keyboard trays have a small depth)? Before purchasing, you should check the specifications of the particular converter you are interested in and ensure that your computer equipment will adequately fit.

Will I Use It?

This question seems obvious. You are interested in standing at your workstation. You want one and plan on using it. However, that is not always the case. I have met many clients who have a standing desk but never stand. Using a standing desk requires some behavioral adjustments and habit training. You are about to stand at your workstation for parts of the day and will be alternating between sitting and standing positions during stressful work hours. Consider this question thoughtfully: will I really use a standing desk?

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed features/specifications to look out for before purchasing a standing desk. We described how a standing desk may (or may not) be right for you and some points to consider when picking the right sit-stand desk. Yet, there are still ergonomic obstacles that people face, even after purchasing the right standing desk. Many people overlook the monitor height, chair adjustability, and the time spent in standing after purchasing a sit-stand workstation. In short, how can we properly use a standing desk? We will answer this question in a future post.

Thanks for reading,

Shaul Lent OTR/L, MA, CEAS, Lead Ergonomic Specialist, Ergonomics Advance

How Can We Change? An Ergonomic Lens

Posted on December 4, 2019January 8, 2020 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

Introduction

How can we change? How can we transform our unconscious habits and ingrained routine? Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) believed that human beings can change through making the “unconscious conscious.” Our unconscious influences our behavior. We can begin to change once we recognize the hidden forces that lead to dysfunctional behavior.

What else is there to change?

Freud might have been right with some elements of psychoanalysis, however psychologists have found other ways to alter behavior. Researchers James O. Prochaska, John C. Norcross, and Carlo C. Diclemente (2006) have found that human beings go through several stages before they can change. People start changing by first recognizing their dysfunctional habits. They move to preparing to change (“I will stop smoking on New Years”) to acting on that change (“I have stopped smoking on New Years”). People then need to maintain their new behavior, actively preventing relapses. Finally, human beings go through the process called termination where temptations and the fear of relapse never threaten the individual.

Why are these stages of change so important?

When looking at change through this step-by-step model, good self-changers can use different treatment types depending on the stage they are in. When a person, for example, is just starting their journey of change, they should try to raise their awareness of the problem. Frued’s idea of making the “unconscious conscious” would be more effective during this period. Psychoanalysis, however, will only increase our awareness of the problem. It fails to properly take into account preparing for change and altering and maintaining overt behavior. Shrewdly, good self-changers chose to control the environment like staying away from smokers or providing rewards for good behaviors (Prochaska et al., Changing for Good, 55-60).

How can these methods improve workplace ergonomics?

From an ergonomist’s perspective, habits play a critical role in promoting discomfort at work. Employee sit at their desk for hours on end. They sit awkwardly, refuse to regularly stretch, and want to alleviate discomfort with a “quick fix” – all without changing their behavior.

Everyday work habits are some of the hardest behaviors to break. They are repetitively performed and ingrained in our (sub)conscious. However, conditioned habits can be changed. Using the above model to apply ergonomic change, we can begin to understand the ways in which computer users can change their behavior.

Recognizing the Problem

Computer users with poor ergonomic habits first need to recognize that a problem exists. Employees have a tendency to overlook back and neck discomfort. Focused on their tasks, they fail to notice, for example, that not stretching or bending at the back to view a screen is a problem.

Understanding the Root Cause

Next, computer users should ask themselves what exactly is causing the discomfort? Perhaps stress has been causing awkward posture. Maybe, your workstation is too tall, which results in awkward reaching. An ergonomic consultant can help you figure out exactly what has been causing this discomfort.

Implementing a Strong Action Plan

Next, the individual should develop an action plan. Based on their own estimate or an ergonomic specialist’s recommendation, people will, for example, implement stretching routine or a install articulating monitor arms to decrease awkward bending at the neck. When the plan is implemented, we should remember that as human beings, we respond well to rewards in the environment where the changed behavior is taking place.

After shoulder and wrist stiffness, for example, a person might decide to stretch the wrist, shoulders, and scapular (See here and here for some wrist stretching ideas). Once the stretching plan is in place, people can use positive reinforcement for each week they successfully enact the stretching plan. Even a small reward like sipping a cup of hot cocoa or buying a $5 gift on Amazon each week the stretching plan is enacted can make a world of difference.

It is important to emphasize we should reward ourselves in the place where the desired behavior takes place (See Clark, 2007). For computer users, this means rewarding yourself at the office. Using positive reinforcement will help solidify that stretching plan, habitualize proper body mechanics, and increase proper usage of that keyboard tray or standing desk.

Conclusion

We cannot change immediately. As Prochaska et al. (2006) demonstrated, human beings go through several stages before they can permanently alter their behavior. These principles can be applied to good ergonomics as well. Learning the basics of ergonomics (i.e. body mechanics, stretching and product recommendations) can help us recognize ergonomic problems and enact change that is thoughtful and positively reinforced. (For more information about Office Ergonomics Training, click here). Improving office wellness and comfort is usually not a quick fix. The first step is simply recognizing that there is an ergonomic problem.

How can you Manage Employees to Improve Ergonomics?

Posted on June 18, 2019January 8, 2020 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

Using research in the fields of ergonomics and psychology as well as my own personal experience learned as an occupational therapist and ergonomist, I will explore how administrators can practically structure employee routines and create a culture of wellness without hampering productivity.

Human resource specialists usually instruct employees about ergonomics when they first start working. They might give employee’s handouts with ergonomic stretches. Many times, they will hang placards in the office instructing workers to take two 15 minute breaks and a thirty minute lunch break. Despite good intentions, employees usually pay little attention to this information. They continue to work through their lunch break and ignore the recommended stretches.

Creating a Company Culture

To increase follow through, HR specialists and administrators must consistently provide wellness information in different forms. Handouts and placards must be used in addition to positive reinforcement, regular ergonomic lectures, and wellness instructional videos. HR specialists should try to create a top-down culture of ergonomic consciousness. Employees should be able to visibly notice CEOs, CFOs, and HR directors taking the time to break and stretch. This gives employees the “green light” to focus on ergonomics.

Managing Workload and Employee Wellness

Project managers should aim to decrease the conflict between employee wellness and work demands. Researchers have found that even more important than company culture, a poor relationship with the supervisor and workload can contribute to stress (Rani & Kumar, 2017). While time pressure and job deadlines are a must in any office setting, managers must ensure that they are not discouraging proper ergonomic practice.

Imagine a project manager named George who instructs his employees to take regular breaks. A few days later, George gives his team a large project. Because his team will need to complete the project in a week, employees work long hours and will be inclined to skip breaks.

Managing both work demands and employee wellness is a hard task. HR specialists must take into account various obligations: work demands, time constraints, and employee personalities. However, manager can make a difference with some foresight. Before a project is even assigned, administrators should take into account the number of employees that will be assigned to the project, employee work habits, and time constraints. While there is no formula to predict exactly how many people should take on a particular assignment, taking a few minutes to consider worker behavior history and prioritizing can prevent future ergonomic problems.

An Example

Project manager, George, recognizes that he has not been considering ergonomic needs when assigning projects. For the next assignment, he will try to be more conscious. He knows that two employee, Lisa and Brian, work well together. They have been able to complete a similar project (but about half the size of the current one) in about 2 days. George gives Brian and Lisa 4 days to complete the project. He reminds them that the client is expecting the assignment in 4 days. However, if they are having trouble finishing, they should ask him to take on some of the load. Additionally, George found that Brian tends to skip his lunch break when working on these types of projects. George, therefore, reminds him that he would rather ask the customer for an extension or do some of the work himself than have Brian skip his work breaks. He explains to Brian, “Completing the project is important, however employee wellness is a must.”

While George’s attitude and instructions might change in different industries, readers can understand from the above example how administrators should consider work demands, time constraints, and employee personalities before assigning tasks. Understanding worker behavior history, George determined that Lisa and Brian work efficiently together. They were able to complete a similar project in 2 days. Though similar, the current project is double the size. George, therefore, gave Lisa and Brian 4 days to complete the assignment. He also understands his employees work habits. He found that Brian was skipping breaks. He, therefore, spoke to him one-on-one to prioritize employee wellness and inform him of other ways to finish the project without neglecting wellness.

Leadership Consistency

Most importantly, administrators and project managers should provide consistent information. Wellness and work instructions as well as company culture should be aligned. Employees hate when they are told to take regular breaks, however, others look at them askance when they go outside for a walk. Consistency is one of the most important aspects for promoting work satisfaction. Researchers determined that consistency can even help maintain cardiovascular health. This is especially true for employees with low control of their work (Hartvigsen et al., 2004).

Conclusion

Administrators ensure that employees understand the importance of their work demands. Customers are waiting; employees must complete projects on time. However, in the process of satisfying customers, employee wellness should not suffer. Project managers and HR specialists can use various techniques to promote wellness and proper ergonomics. First, administrators should offer various methods to present ergonomic information. HR specialists can provide employees with ergonomic and wellness handouts along with scheduling regular presentations, individual assessments, and employee ergonomic videos. Most importantly, the CEO should be practicing ergonomic and wellness principles. From the CEO, the CFOs, managers, and lower level employees will have the “green light” to take the time to practice good ergonomics. Second, projects managers must effectively manage employee workloads and wellness. With foresight and considering employee behavior history, administrators can effectively manage their teams without neglecting wellness. Finally, project managers should provide consistent advice about workloads, wellness, and ergonomics. Administrator and HR specialists should aim to have wellness instructions, work assignments, and company culture aligned.

Ergonomic Consultants and a Philosophy of Comfort, PART II

Posted on October 29, 2018January 8, 2020 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

Ergonomic Consultants and a Philosophy of Comfort, Part II

Introduction

In my previous article, I discussed the deeply practical question about how we view ergonomics in the workplace. What is the nature of office ergonomics? I asked. Is good ergonomics part of our essential nature, an instinct if you will, that requires us to work with ease? Or, is our desire for comfort in the workplace a higher-level function, something that as intelligent human beings we should have to boost productivity and wellness? In this sense, good ergonomics is not necessarily a need, but a perk that promotes employee morale.

I believe that at times, ergonomics is an essential need. Occasionally, however, it is simply a perk to improve productivity.

Where Ergonomic Consulting is a Need

During an onsite ergonomic assessment, I oftentimes meet clients who experience such discomfort that they have to regularly take off time or cannot even come to work. Whether returning to work early from back surgery or experiencing chronic pain from tendonitis, employees simply cannot perform their daily duties. Recommending ergonomic products and redesigning a workstation is not simply a perk for these people. In these cases, good ergonomics fills an innate need.

Where Ergonomic Consulting is a Perk

In those cases, however, where ergonomics is simply used to improve productivity and repetitive strain injury is not a risk, ergonomic consulting is simply a perk. Oftentimes, I will come into an office space and clients will report that nothing is bothering them. They sit and/or stand with good body mechanics and interface appropriately with their computer products. They simply want to improve productivity. In this case, an ergonomic assessment is simply a perk.

The “Grey Areas” of Ergonomic Consulting

What about those grey areas, where employees can go to work, complete all their daily tasks, but still feel pain during their job tasks? In this case, is good ergonomics an innate need or is it a perk to improve morale? Furthermore, what about those cases where a poorly set-up workstation is not presenting any immediate problems, but does present a potential risk? I believe that in these grey areas, ergonomics solves an innate need. The one thing about repetitive strain injuries, current or eventual, is it gets worse over time. The more we sit with improper posture or the more we repeat a repetitive task, the more an employee risks increasing their symptoms. A visit to the doctor and/or an onsite ergonomic consultant should be initiated to ensure that this problem does not get any worse and lead to a situation where the employee can no longer work. Besides for the drop in productivity that results from discomfort, ergonomic based solutions need to be implemented to create an environment where productive work can be performed. The potential for discomfort and medical leave is present, and ergonomic solutions need to be put in place.

Thanks for reading,

Shaul Lent Occupational Therapist, MA, CEAS Lead Ergonomic Specialist at Ergonomics Advance

Working it Out: Protecting Your Business From Workplace Accidents

Posted on June 7, 2018June 7, 2018 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

Note: This is a guest post from one of our professional referrals, Cynthia Flynn of Hackler Flynn and Associates. The original post, which can be viewed here, contains information that is critical for protecting your business from workplace accidents.

Working it Out: Protecting Your Business From Workplace Accidents

You have an idea for a new business: you work with bankers to get your financing in place, stock the inventory, put it on the shelves and open your doors to your customers. At Hackler Flynn, we know there is a lot on your mind, and probably somewhere down on your list is a concern about a workplace accident with one of your employees or customers.

But it needs to be on your mind from the beginning. If you are a new or seasoned business owner, it pays you to walk through some tips to keep your people safe, as well as your pocketbook. Did you know the average cost from a slip and fall is $22,800? Just slip and falls costs businesses an average of $6.7 billion a year.

Imagine opening your mailbox only to find a letter from an attorney who is alleging you are liable for a workplace accident, and they are demanding compensation. Maybe you weren’t on the scene when the alleged accident occurred, and you are now on the defensive. It can be a nightmare for your business. But the real lesson learned here is that you could have prevented the accident from happening it in the first place if you had followed some safety procedures.

OK, You Have My Attention

You’ve no doubt heard about the “slip and fall” accidents. They account for the vast majority of claims filed against businesses. Sometimes they occur from someone who falls off a ladder trying to restock, or grab an item for a customer. Perhaps someone is coming down the stairs and trips and falls, causing injury. While you cannot account for every potential accident that can occur, you can understand why they happen and work to fix potential pitfalls.

Most slip and falls come not from a ladder or stairs, but on the same level of flooring. The causes can be wet or oily surfaces, a spill, maybe a loose rug or mat, or a quick downpour or other weather hazard. Employees or customers can also “trip” when views are obstructed, the lighting is poor, the rugs are wrinkled, there is clutter in the way, or cables are uncovered and left across the walkway. Another issue is a shallow step: if a customer walks into a business and the flooring is the same, but the step is very shallow, it can trick a person into thinking it is all on one level and they can come tumbling down, sometimes causing lasting injury and a large payout from your company.

So What Do I Do? Prevention is Crucial

In the airline industry, it is required practice for the Captain or First Officer on a flight to do a “walkaround.” As you may have guessed, it is a time for a member of the crew to physically walk around the plane to look for any abnormalities and address any concerns before they push back from the gate. Likewise, it is smart for you to make it a habit to walk through your place of business in order to look for any potential hazards.

Do you have obstacles that could cause a customer or employee to fall?
Is there an uneven walkway on which someone could easily trip?
How about cracked or loose floor tiles?
Maybe someone has left a piece of equipment or inventory in the middle of the hallway, and someone could run into it and take a tumble.
A cracked floor can be a hazard.
Is the lighting too dim for workers to gather inventory safely?
Do you have flashlights readily available for employees to use in darker areas?

In other words, take a fresh look at your surroundings and invest in new mats or abrasive strips that can cause some friction and better footing. Make sure the rugs and carpets are secure, and see that the lighting is adequate for the job at hand, and replace any bulbs that need it. Make sure opened doors or cabinets are closed to ensure easy hallway access.

Communication is Key

It is imperative that each of your employees understand the need for safety, and that communication needs to come from you at the top. Be sure your employees are well-trained in the need to:

Clean up any spills immediately and have the equipment easily accessible.
Clearly mark any wet areas for customers and employees.
Sweep up all debris immediately.
Instruct employees to wear proper footing on duty to avoid slips and falls.
Ask employees to communicate with you right away if there is a safety risk.
Create an Employee Handbook that outlines safety procedures and discuss it with your employees.
Conduct routine evaluations of employees to make sure they are adhering to safety policies: if you are concerned about safety, they will be as well.

You want, and need to provide a safe environment for your employees and customers. Sometimes, accidents will occur, and at Hackler Flynn, we stand ready to defend you and your business. Please contact us if we can be of service to you!

DISCLAIMER: Content on the website should not be considered legal advice and is for information purposes only. Communications made through the website do not create an attorney-client relationship. Hackler Flynn and Associates is not responsible for any content that you may access from third-party resources that may be accessed through or linked to this website.

Ergonomic Consultants and a Philosophy of Comfort, PART I

Posted on May 10, 2018January 8, 2020 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

As an ergonomic consultant specializing in office ergonomics, I sometime wonder why we have such a desire to work in a comfortable, ergonomically sound environment. Is it part of our essential nature, an instinct if you will, that requires us to work with ease? Or, is our desire for comfort in the workplace a higher-level function, something that as intelligent human beings we should have to boost productivity and wellness?

While the question may seem theoretical, the query is deeply practical, both in its scope and individual application. Ergonomics is all about fitting the job and the equipment we use (i.e. monitors, mice, monitor arms, keyboard trays ect.) to the person. If maintaining an ergonomically sound workplace is part of our very nature, then ergonomic solutions should be applied in all work spaces and for all employees. Good ergonomic planning is not simply for high-level employees, but is essential for every employees’ well-being and work performance, regardless of the number of reported workers compensation claims. When an ergonomic consultant recommends an adjustable monitor arm to improve neck and back posture, for example, an innate need is filled. With the problem solved and the discomfort alleviated, the employee can now devote more time to his or her work and perform the job safely.

On the other hand, we can view ergonomic consulting as simply a corporate perk, a way to boost employee morale, but not solving something innate about the human condition. If we view it this way, then ergonomic consulting is limited in its application. For those with serious conditions, say returning to work from a back injury, ergonomic consulting will help. Anything below this, however, is simply a fridge benefit.

I have tried to spell out the question in this post. In my next post, “Ergonomic Consultants and a Philosophy of Comfort, Part II”, I will provide my answer. I think you will be surprised at what I have to say.

The Importance of an Ergonomic Assessment in Los Angeles

Posted on November 15, 2017January 14, 2020 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

Ergonomics and Los Angeles?

What does ergonomics have to do with Los Angeles? There are so many different types of businesses in Los Angeles. In one building, you could have a law firm, a home health agency, and a company that installs gates. The city is so multi-cultural, a population so diverse in language, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity, that it is hard to make the claim that many people in Los Angeles will benefit from an ergonomic assessment. Yet, there is something unique about Los Angeles and its relationship with ergonomics.

What is the connection between Los Angeles and Ergonomics?

The people of Los Angeles are diverse. People come from different cultures and different socioeconomic backgrounds. Yet, most of us are unified in one sense – we spend many hours in sitting. This is true for many of us who spend long hours sitting at our desks or in front of a computer at work. For those commuting in Los Angeles, especially, the problem is magnified by the fact that we, on average, spend a significant amount of time sitting in cars and buses. Angelinos spend an average of 90 hours a year stuck in traffic. The congestion in Los Angeles is the highest in the entire United States – greater than New York, Washington, San Fransisco, Miami, and Portland. Several researchers in 2015 reported that drivers in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Santa Ana will spend almost 7 months of their lives stuck in traffic. This is just wasted time spent sitting in our cars. These figure are in addition to the normal time it takes people to travel from their homes to their place of work without traffic.

With the increased time spent in sitting, comes a growing health concern. First, researchers in ergonomics have found that people who spend an extended time in sitting are more at risk for obesity. Second, scientists have found that people who spend an extended time in sitting – whether sitting in driving, in front of a TV, or in front of a computer – have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Those reporting sitting in a car for more than 10 hours a week had a 82% greater risk of mortality than those who spent 4 hours a week driving.

How can Ergonomics Advance and the Ergonomic Assessment help Los Angeles residents?

The team at Ergonomics Advance is here to help employees decrease the time they spend in sitting. Whether its recommending the appropriate standing desk, devising ways to do more work in standing, or taking regular exercise breaks in standing, an ergonomic specialist at Ergonomics Advance can devise specific plans and make customized recommendations for your particular business. We do exactly what ergonomics is – analyzing workstations and workplace behaviors and making specific recommendations to improve employee health, comfort, and wellness. For employees in Los Angeles, especially those commuting long hours, ergonomic specialists performing an assessment will make recommendations that help increase the amount of time in standing and improve cardiovascular health. It does not matter what Los Angeles industry you are in, whether working in a law firm or company that installs gates, an ergonomic assessment from Ergonomics Advance can help.

To find out more about Ergonomics in Los Angeles or if an ergonomic assessment is right for you, please feel free to contact us at:

(310) 467-5625
info@ergonomicsadvance.com
150 North Robertson Blvd. Suite #140
Beverly Hills, Ca 90211

Quantifying ergonomics?

Posted on November 14, 2017January 16, 2020 by shaul@ergonomicsadvance.com

Reason is our best tool when making decisions. When we are talking about business decisions, especially, managers and owners will try to find logical ways to solve problems. Analytics, statistics, surveys, as well as good old experience will be used. However, what about those decisions that are by their very nature hard to quantify? When an employee reports an injury, should a business owner automatically react? When the human resource specialist has filled out a certain number of OSHA 301 forms, should they automatically hire an in-house medical or ergonomic team? In short, is there a way to quantify discomfort in an office? And if so, can we get a sense, at least superficially, of where problems are occurring and where to begin to allocate resources?

The answer to these questions could be an Ergo-analytic screen. Developed by Lead Ergonomic Specialist and Occupational Therapist, Shaul Lent, the Ergo-Analytic screen gives clients the opportunity to understand which aspects of workplace ergonomics need improvement, where to allocate resources to reduce workplace discomfort, and finally, develop preliminary steps to improve office comfort. After each employee completes a short five minute survey, an ergonomic specialist will analyze the Ergo-analytic screen and determine which ergonomic problems require attention, how much time employees should be spending in standing, provide pointers about relieving eyestrain and body discomfort, and determine the need for an ergonomic assessment. Using graphs and tables to describe each individual’s work habits, the Ergo-analytic screen provides business owners and HR specialists with the ability to determine exactly whose ergonomic problems should be prioritized. It allows business owners and HR specialists to develop strategies and start an action plan that can alleviate workplace discomfort and injury. In short, the Ergo-analytic screen allows business owners to quantify discomfort and start the journey to good workplace ergonomics, comfort, and injury free workplaces.

To find out more or complete the Ergo-analytic screen, please feel free to contact us at:

(310) 467-5625
info@ergonomicsadvance.com
150 North Robertson Blvd. Suite #140
Beverly Hills, Ca 90211