Ergonomic Assessment

2007 Assessment Statistics

During 2007 Healthywork Ltd conducted in excess of 350 Ergonomic Assessments. An audit has been conducted to establish what the most common recommendations have been.

An Audit of 50 random cases was conducted during 2008 by reviewing the assessment reports.

42% were found to be sitting too low to the desk and the work tasks they were performing. The chairs were raised to the correct height, depending on the gas stem height adjustability of the chairs.

20% had no arm rests on their office chair. For 22% the arm rests were too far apart for their build and another 20% were not using their arm rests, as they were incorrectly positioned.

Therefore 62% were not gaining necessary forearm support from chair arm rests.

For 18% the lumbar support was not at the correct height. Another 8% did not have lumbar support available on their chair.

90% of the individuals required an alternative model chair and of those 32% required a more specialist chair than their own chair supplier could provide.

26% needed their monitor screen raising to the correct height, once they were sitting at the correct sitting height to the desk.

44% needed to move their keyboard and mouse closer so that they were sitting and working in a better posture.

76% required a sliding writing and reading work surface which could be moved over the keyboard so that all of the work tasks were at the correct height and directly in front of them.

20% of the cases were a follow up assessment, after having had an initial assessment. Therefore equipment had been provided and the follow up was to ensure they were set up correctly and review progress. 

Maximising Potential In People


Workstation Risk Assessment (DSE)
A risk assessment of the office environment to fulfil HSE regulations, whilst addressing individual requirements, recommending how to improve health and comfort, prevent injury, aches and pains and increase productivity.

A risk assessment of the office environment to fulfil HSE regulations, whilst addressing individual requirements, recommending how to improve health and comfort, prevent injury, aches and pains and increase productivity.

Ergonomic Work site Assessment
An in-depth analysis of the workstation or other types of work tasks, addressing individual needs when a medical condition or pain / discomfort is ongoing in order that increased comfort & optimum task performance thus avoiding/reducing sickness

An in-depth analysis of the workstation or other types of work tasks, addressing individual needs when a medical condition or pain / discomfort is ongoing in order that increased comfort & optimum task performance thus avoiding/reducing sickness

Functional Capacity or Work Capability Assessment
A comprehensive physical evaluation of an worker's capabilities in relation to a physical type of job, to be sure they are suitable for the role or if reasonable adjustments / solutions will help.

A comprehensive physical evaluation of an worker's capabilities in relation to a physical type of job, to be sure they are suitable for the role or if reasonable adjustments / solutions will help.

Job Demands Analysis
This process identifies the physical requirements of work tasks in a particular job role: from the weights to be lifted to the different postures such as sitting, walking, squatting and other abilities required, such as dexterity, reaching, grip strength

This process identifies the physical requirements of work tasks in a particular job role: from the weights to be lifted to the different postures such as sitting, walking, squatting and other abilities required, such as dexterity, reaching, grip strength

Work Rehabilitation & Return-to-work
Get an employee back to work safely in a timely way with an individualised programme designed to re-establish work routine/behaviours, build confidence & manage their medical situation sucessfully at work by guiding/grading of hours/tasks.

Get an employee back to work safely in a timely way with an individualised programme designed to re-establish work routine/behaviours, build confidence & manage their medical situation sucessfully at work by guiding/grading of hours/tasks.

Training and Educational Sessions
Provision of Manual Handling and/or Ergonomics Training Sessions in the Office or Industry setting, in order to reduce risks in the workplace or solving work task issues that may be presenting problems.

Provision of Manual Handling and/or Ergonomics Training Sessions in the Office or Industry setting, in order to reduce risks in the workplace or solving work task issues that may be presenting problems.

Vocational Assessment
A Vocational Assessment is the process of determining an individual’s interests, abilities, aptitudes and skills to identify vocational strengths, needs and career potential. Vocational assessments may use a variety of standardised techniques.

Cognitive Assessment
A Cognitive Assessment of the individual's cognitive capacity to perform work and associated life tasks. This assessment requirement may be as a result of an injury or progression of a long term condition, or required due to a learning need (eg dyslexia)

Visual or Hearing Assessment
A Visual or Hearing Assessment is performed to find solutions to suit the individual's requirements and thus to implement reasonable adjustments.

Technical Assessment
A Technical Assessment can help to decide which technical solutions are required when an individual may have a visual or motor or dexterity difficulties so that they cannot access standard technology equipment.


Healthywork Ltd is based near Watford, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans in Hertfordshire just north of London. We are able to offer the skills of experienced Occupational Therapists located across the country. We use an evidence based best practice approach, exceeding the requirements of current health and safety regulations. We cover Central London, Greater London including Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. The East Midlands region such as Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire and the West Midlands region such Warwickshire and Birmingham. Also northern areas such as Yorkshire and cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.We can also cover Scotland and Wales, as required.