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. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can an assessment be arranged? 

Some assessments can be arranged within 48 hours, if necessary, at the convenience of the individual's work schedule and/or the employer's convenience. A longer time scale is required if medical evidence, reports and consents need to be obtained. Use of email can speed up the process.

Who needs to be present at the assessment?

Usually it is the assessor and the individual being assessed discussing the details of the situation. However, sometimes the line manager may be present to answer issues which arise from the employer's perspective. Sometimes H & S, Occupational Health or Human Resources personnel are present, either for part or all of the assessment. Feedback can be given following the assessment if required.

Where is an assessment usually conducted?

Usually the Worksite Assessment is conducted at the location that the individual being assessed works at, eg sitting at the desk they work from, or in the warehouse where they perform their tasks. If they work in several locations, they will often need to show the assessor all the locations.

If a Functional Assessment is required, it may be conducted at the work place but it can also be conducted at the individual's home, at another convenient location or in an assessment room which is set up with particular equipment required during the assessment. The most appropriate venue can be discussed at time of referral.

If the questions which need to be answered encompass several of the services, what should be arranged?

Sometimes an assessment involved parts of all the Healthywork Ltd services. Therefore the request can be adapted to the situation and one assessment may be able to cover a variety of requirements. We can be flexible and adaptable to specific requests.

If the individual is on long term sick leave, how can they be assessed?

It depends on the circumstances of the sick leave. In many situations it is suitable to conduct assessments whilst the individual is on sick leave, in order to assess what is going on at that stage and to begin planning the return to work process. For instance, it is suitable to conduct an Ergonomic Assessment, prior to the return to work, so that equipment and other recommendations can be implemented in conjunction with the return to work schedule. These can then be in place from the first day back to work.

Who does the report go to?

The report is sent to the report recipient named on the referral form, usually via email or another route if required. This is often the person who initiated the referral. Usually within the report it is requested that the individual also has a copy of the report, as advice and information is enclosed which is useful for them to read and implement.

Who actions the recommendations such as ordering of the equipment?

The referrer should be able to let you know who will be implementing the recommendations. It is usually the employer's role to do this, and it is usual to discuss the recommendations with all involved, including the assessed individual.