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. 

Pre-employment Functional Assessment

Whatever industry you are in, Manual Handling requires a certain level of fitness. To avoid storing up problems for the future, it is vital that the most suitable and healthy workers are recruited to perform tasks that require physical exhertion. Used as part of your recruitment process this insightful assesment saves both time and money, and gives more relevant information than a 'Medical Questionnaire'.


How it Works

  • This assessment requires up to 30 minutes for each potential employee and is made whilst he/she is performing tasks similar to those on the job in order to determine how they may react in the work situation.
  • It measures whether the individual possesses the physical abilities and training skills to do the job whilst avoiding direct threat of injury.
  • Several assessments can be performed during one day, with reports on each interviewee available at the end of the day.
  • Assessments can be performed at the employer's premises.

Benefits

  • Identifies health issues from the beginning of an employment and reduces the risk of future sickness absence.
  • Helps the employer choose the most suitable workers for the job and therefore minimises risk of ill health issues during employment.
  • Increases productivity levels.

Suitability

  • This assessment is suitable for workers who are to be recruited into a manual job which involves lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling, or manufacturing process activities.
  • Their manual handling abilities and their general ability to follow advice on correction of handling techniques can be assessed.
  • If a worker is unfit and/or less able to perform correct handling postures this can be identified.
  • Manual dexterity and other job demands can be assessed as required.