Ergonomics Checklist to Make a Safer Workplace

ERGONOMICS CHECKLIST TO MAKE A SAFER WORKPLACE www.cloudsds.com

1. Maintaining Neutral Postures: Workers must know that their bodies should be aligned and balanced while sitting or standing. Moreover, only minimal strain on muscles and ligaments is suggested. Benefits: It reduces strain on muscles and joints. It decreases the risk of injuries by promoting natural alignment and reducing stress on the body.

2. Adjust Chair Height: Yes, the height of a chair can also make an impact on the body of the workers. Therefore, adjusting and choosing the right chair is important. So that the feet are flat on the floor, knees are at a 90-degree angle, and thighs are parallel to the ground. Benefits: Mainly it ensures proper lower body support. It also reduces lower back strain. It also enhances overall comfort and posture.

3. Avoid Bending Wrist: Keeping the wrists in a neutral, straight position can also be helpful. So, one should avoid bending the wrists up, down, or to the sides. This can be achieved by properly positioning the objects one works with. Moreover, ergonomic accessories like wrist rests, and ensuring a workstation is set up to promote a natural wrist position can always help. Benefits: A neutral wrist position promotes a more comfortable working posture. Repetitive motions with bent wrists can cause inflammation of the tendons, known as tendonitis. Straight wrists allow for better control and precision in movements, especially during tasks that require fine motor skills. Consistently maintaining a neutral wrist position reduces the wear and tear on wrist joints.

4.Using a Footrest: Giving proper comfort to the feet is always necessary. You can use a footrest if the feet do not reach the floor. It ensures proper foot placement and makes one feel more relaxed while trying to fix complex issues. Benefits: It supports feet and improves circulation. This is a good practice to reduce lower back pressure and prevent discomfort from dangling feet.

5. Use Proper Lifting Techniques: Providing proper lifting training is also important for every employer. Workers may receive an injury at the time of lifting heavy weights. When lifting heavy objects, one must bend at the knees. Also, keeping the back straight, and lifting with the legs can be helpful. Benefits: This is a helpful technique to prevent back injuries. Employers can also promote the safe handling of heavy objects. It also reduces the risk of musculoskeletal strain.

6. Avoiding Horizontal Reach: Reaching far from one’s body to do tasks puts much strain on the lower back and muscles. Holding a small load at a far reach can increase the force on your lower back by up to 15 times. Moreover, this can cause muscle fatigue, discomfort, and long- term injuries. Instead, one must try to work within one’s neutral reach. This reduces the risk of injury and makes the work more efficient and safe. Benefits: Minimizes the stress on the lower back, preventing pain and injuries. Allows one to work more effectively with less effort. Encourages better body alignment, reducing overall fatigue. Decreases the likelihood of accidents and injuries caused by overreaching. Supports long-term musculoskeletal health by avoiding repetitive strain.

7. Avoiding Awkward Neck: Twisting the neck can be very dangerous for workers if they continue the position longer. Therefore, avoiding awkward neck positions is crucial for workers to prevent strain and discomfort. It can lead to muscle tension, pain, and long-term issues such as cervical spine problems. Maintaining a neutral neck position, where the head is aligned with the spine, reduces the risk of these problems and helps keep workers comfortable and focused. Benefits: It can help reduce neck strain and tension. This is also a helpful technique to prevent long-term neck and spine issues. Enhances overall comfort and focus. It promotes better posture and alignment. Minimizes the risk of headaches and fatigue.

Ergonomics Checklist to Make a Safer Workplace