Office Ergonomics

There has been a dramatic rise in the number of symptoms reported by office-based staff. At Prime we offer popular and effective Office Ergonomic training programs, that educate individuals and groups on the importance of adopting good individual and ergonomic practices. Our consultants can provide you with more information.

The methodology of our office ergonomic programs will vary depending upon the needs of the organisation. These needs can be generally split into the following categories or organisational choice.

• Preventative or Symptomatic approach
• Group educational and assessment program
• Individual assessment and recommendations
• Hand written check sheets or comprehensive report

The following information details our most popular programs

Office Ergonomics Educational Session

The Educational Session (40 - 60 minutes) enables the participants to gain a greater insight into Office Ergonomics, e.g. the risk factors and how they can be avoided in the future, including:

• Basic anatomy and physiology of the body
• Ergonomic risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders
• Why posture and position are critical to safe work practices
• Risks involved within an office environment
• Computer workstation features (discussed in detail)

On completion of the training participants should be able to:

• Identify ergonomic risk factors in the office environment
• Describe common signs and symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorder
• Identify areas for intervention: engineering, administrative and behavioural controls (strategies and solutions)

Preventative Workstation Screens

The individual assessment will include:

• Identification of ergonomic risk factors
• Assessment of the employee for signs and symptoms of work related musculoskeletal disorder
• Identification of areas for intervention: engineering, administrative and behavioural controls (strategies and solutions)
• Identification of the employee’s optimal workstation setup to suit their body and individual needs, consistent with ergonomic principles and guidelines

The assessments have the following benefits:

For the employee:

• An individual assessment will maximise the relevance of the ergonomic program to each participant giving confidence that their specific circumstances are being considered

• Allows the Therapist to identify individuals at elevated risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and provide specific advice to reduce the risk of developing a disorder and manage any existing symptoms

• A summary report of results and recommendations that allows for easy reference and facilitates timely implementation of recommendations (when more than ten assessments are completed)
• The individual assessment process provides appropriate records for each participant to substantiate the ergonomic intervention and demonstrate sound practice to both internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, internal auditors and regulatory bodies

Comprehensive Program: Educational Session and Individual Assessments

The Comprehensive Program provides a best practice approach to office ergonomics by providing group education, ergonomic awareness and individual workstation assessments for all staff members to identify any risk factors within the individual’s environment.

In this program the broader learning and attitude benefits of the Educational Session are combined with specific practical and documentary benefits of the individual assessment to prove the best possible control of ergonomic hazards in the office.

• Assessment and discussion with employee to identify and assess current symptoms
• Liaison with any allied health providers if individual is being treated
• Identification of causal factors
• Optimal Ergonomic recommendations to current workstation
• Education on pathology of symptoms
• Education on self management techniques such as stretching exercises and postural correction
• Meeting with referrer to discuss findings and agreed recommendations
• Report and recommendations