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. 

Workstation Risk Assessment (DSE)

Workstation Risk Assessments for DSE (Display Screen Equipment) are required if you want to fulfil HSE (Health and Safety Executive) Risk Assessment requirements. Sometimes  a basic level tick list has been completed (and all items are ticked!), but individuals may continue to be uncomfortable. 

The Healthywork Ltd DSE Ergonomic Risk Assessments include the basics and also 'best practice' advice which means that we provide you with extra information which will ensure that you understand how you should be positioned for your body dimensions. This will help you to be more comfortable and prevent ill health and the need for costly specialist equipment or time off sick.

 

How it works

  • We spend 20-30 minutes with each employee in the office work location.
  • We will use the Healthywork DSE Ergonomic Risk Assessment Score sheet to check the workstation for the individual user.The score will help indicate what areas need further attention, within a suggested time scale.
  • Improvements/solutions that can be implemented immediately will be made.
  • A brief report for each individual workstation user assessed will be produced within 48 hours of the assessment, with the score and recommendations. General equipment recommendations will be detailed in the report.
  • If a medical condition requiring more detailed assessment is identified, a more detailed Ergonomic Assessment will be recommended.

Benefits

  • Reduces the cost of sickness absence, Occupational Health Services, Insurance and possible litigation.
  • Increase comfort and awareness of health, maximising the work environment and worker productivity.
  • Gain valuable insight into 'best practice' in the workplace.
  • Achieve employer duties under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992/2002.

Suitability

  • This assessment is suitable for an employee who is experiencing no symptoms or only mild intermittent symptoms.
  • This assessment is classed as a risk assessment.
  • Can help prevent ill health in employees.