Ergonomics in the workplace: to prevent physical discomfort

In this article, you can expect the following topics:

According to the health report in 2019 the DAK complaints of the musculo-skeletal lie system, such as back pain still at the forefront of all types of Disease: Here, the health insurance Fund recorded an increase of 89 percent year-on-year. Be encouraged, often work-related Suffer due to a lack of or even lack of ergonomics in the workplace. This applies in particular in Administrative jobs – about 35 percent of the employees complain about back pain, more than 50 percent of problems with the neck. And yet all of the complaints that are promoted by Sitting incorrectly at your Desk. Among the most common symptoms of problems with the shoulder or the wrist as well as head in addition to the already mentioned: – and tension pain. The question of how the workstation should be ergonomically correct look, so you can (prevent further) work-related diseases?

The Desk

Many workers are not with your Desk satisfied, even if he meets all the criteria for a healthy workplace is necessary. What most don’t know: There are special guidelines for ergonomics in the workplace, which must comply with each employer – purely legally seen. These include sites in the regulation of labor and the occupational safety and health act: the prevention and protection aims to minimise work-related stress as far as possible to the well-being, Motivation and consequently increase largely the performance of the employees in the long term.

Since it is proven to be better, only two-thirds of the working day in a Sitting position to spend and a third of them in the Stand are height-adjustable desks is the best choice. They allow the employees to work Sitting or Standing – according to your own taste. This not only relieves the spine, but also the intervertebral discs. And these are both important factors for a healthy back. Ideally, the Desk is set so that it is measured from the floor between 66 and 71 inches high, so the optimum working height is at least.

Furthermore, the Desk should be at least 80 cm deep and 160 cm wide. The height and size of the area, however, are not the only criteria for an ergonomic workplace: the distance between the seat and the table is important – it should not be more than 18 to 30 inches. You are sitting correctly when your forearms on the Desk horizontally positioned and the plate has enough legroom, so that, if necessary, a footrest can accommodate. This is particularly used if the Desk is adjustable in height or even the lowest level is still too high.

Another tip: If you already have lower back discomfort, you can get from your doctor a prescription for the height-adjustable Desk, you just have to your employer must file.

The Office Chair

At least as important for ergonomics in the workplace is the office chair. Even if he is not to purchase very cheap, so it costs the employer, however, less than a single day of sickness. So you can adjust it optimally to your needs, it must meet the following criteria: It should be adjustable in height and a flexible or tiltable backrest, which can adjust your weight. The armrests are also perfect in height and seat adjustable in depth. An additional tilt option for the seat is also recommended.

When the chair meets all these factors, you can set it so that your thigh and lower leg as well as your upper and lower arms form a right angle. The height must be adjusted so that the soles of your feet touch the entire floor and your forearms on the Desk to rest, your shoulders are not pushed up. Here you can order an additional footrest can be of great Use, if you feel you have the above settings in the Form of not implementing to be able to. To make sure that you’ve done everything correctly, get a colleague to control your attitude.

The Monitor

According to the display screen work regulation, the employer is obliged to risk assessment. In clear text this means: In any company, care must be taken on all workstations to ensure that its employees – in terms of your safety and health are not endangered. In the assessment with the requirements of the eyes, as well as possible physical and mental stress must be included, therefore, in any case. What guidelines must be adhered to in Detail, you can read here.

When buying a new monitor you should definitely make sure that it is flicker-free, good contrast values, at least 22 inches in size, and a high-resolution LCD Display. Then place the screen parallel to the keyboard and to the own shoulder axis. In addition, the upper part should be slightly inclined to the rear – the top edge of the monitor must be a bit below eye level. Because the fact is: The Work on the screen is for the eyes to be more relaxed, if the optic axis is slightly inclined downwards.

The Light

Also the light plays a decisive role in ergonomics in the workplace: The ideal lighting is a mixture of direct and indirect light, daylight and artificial light (e.g. a Desk lamp) – in the best case are the artificial light sources is also individually adjustable. As for the Desk, should fall to the light side and not as bright as the natural light of day be. For this reason, the workplace must be parallel to the window set up. Only in this way is blessed with ideal lighting conditions.

The Advantage Of The

An ergonomic workplace may be associated with high costs, but it should be every employer’s (and employees) realize that so many of the benefits are associated:

Each ergonomic measure is a preventive action. Say: Is used to set the workplace in a way that typical occupational diseases are prevented and decrease the absenteeism of the employees. In addition, the risk of accidents is minimized. In both cases, you save on labor costs.

Many employees already suffering from chronic back or neck pain. Here, too, an ergonomic workplace can ensure that the discomfort is relieved and the well-being is enhanced at the Desk. And in turn, to reduce further Suffering.

Especially if you already have pre-existing conditions of employees are known, it is imperative to make the job ergonomically. For one, you convey to your employees a feeling of appreciation, on the other, they increase the productivity of your employees.

If employees feel taken seriously, the chances are very good to bind the long to a company. If the jobs are designed in such a way that they are also with increasing age, more ergonomically correct. Due to the positive Association with your office, your employees will feel for many years to come.

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