5 Factors to Consider When Doing Ergonomic Enhancements in Your Workplace
So you finally realized the benefits of converting your workplace into a more ergonomic space. Good job! Now that you’re ready to make the leap, it’s time to think about all the things you need to consider so you can make the right ergonomic choices and determine what kind of adjustments you need to create in your workplace.
In this blog post, we’ll share with you some important factors to look into so you can make the best decision.
Ergonomic Enhancements: Here's What You Need to Think About
Space
Or more specifically, the amount of it available.
The more space you have, the freer you’d be in creating the ergonomic space that is just right for you and your employees. But, even a limited space can be improved.
So take a look around your workplace and see what types of ergonomic improvements will best match the space you have. Part of this is ensuring that your employees have enough room to move around and do their tasks freely. If space is limited, you need to be strategic in the placement of your standing desks and adjustable chairs.
You can free up more space by adding file cabinets to keep clutter at bay, by keeping wires in check with an efficient cable management system, and by using monitor arms to reposition PC monitors. These will help you maximize the space you have so your employees can work better.
Lighting & Ventilation
Ergonomics is all about keeping people comfortable and healthy, and both lighting and ventilation are crucial to this in your employees’ day-to-day work.
Poor lighting can cause a wide range of problems, from eye strain and headache to back and shoulder pain due to employees hunching to get closer to the screen and see better. Meanwhile, extreme temperatures can be a great source of discomfort and distraction among employees, keeping them from focusing on the tasks they’re doing and from being productive.
When doing ergonomic improvements in the workplace, check where your light is coming from—if there is a natural source of light available or if the positioning of the computers are correct relative to your main light source. In the same manner, check that there is enough ventilation and that you’re able to maintain the correct amount of temperature in the space.
Employees
Perhaps the biggest factor to consider, your employees will greatly determine the kind of ergonomic enhancements you can and need to do in the workplace.
When looking into this, some of the things you can check are your employees’ body type and size, including their age and overall health.
Needless to mention, those who are in the taller or bigger spectrum will need more space to move around. You also have to check if there are employees with underlying conditions such as back problems to ensure that you can give them a safe space to move and work without causing their condition to get worse.
These will not only be appreciated by your employees but will also help ensure that you’re able to minimize hazards in the workplace.
Nature of work
As you look into your employees and what they need, don’t forget to also check the type of work they do.
Do they use special equipment that may need to be maintained regularly so they are able to do their job well? Do they work in shifts, and does the scheduling allow them to get enough rest in between their daily work schedules? Are they engaged in a job that might cause more fatigue than usual?
Check the demands of their work to see if there’s something that can be improved and can be considered as you do ergonomic adjustments in your work space.
Work Culture
The physical arrangement in your space often affects the work culture developed in the workplace. The way desks and chairs are arranged can determine the relationships that will be created among your employees, up to a certain point.
In recent years, the open workspace has become quite popular due to the growing need among some companies for their employees to work closely together. This type of workspace encourages collaboration and cultivates a culture of accessibility and openness that go beyond the physical space. On the other hand, some companies value—and even demand—privacy in their employees’ conduct of day-to-day work, in which case a closed workspace is preferred.
When doing ergonomic enhancements at work, consider your company culture and needs and see how these can be supported by the new ergonomic equipment you will be adding to your space.
Embarking on an ergonomic revamp in your space can be daunting, but you don’t have to do an overhaul all at once. You can start with the basics—sit stand desks and adjustable chairs—and then continue improving through ergonomic accessories. In no time, you’ll have a space you and your employees will love working in.
About Us
MotionGrey is a Canadian standing desk company that specializes in ergonomic furniture. We supply and install only the best quality standing desks and ergonomic chairs in the country.
Our products are designed with wellness as the focal point. From our electric standing desks to our office and gaming chairs, we deliver best value by putting your health, safety, and comfort as top priority. Boost your creativity and level up work performance. We want you to create great outcomes so we’re providing you only the best tools to make them possible.
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