MHE510, Occupational Health and Safety, Mod 2 SLP - Essay Example

MHE510 Case Assignment SLP 2 Case Assignment As more and more people spend more time in an artificial environment, it becomes more important to assure their comfort and reduce risk of injury in an effort to assure productively and reduce loss of time. Ergonomics has had its controversy and anthropometric evaluations are not always considered accurate though there are now more sophisticated measures than a measuring tape such as the newer digital photographic tools (Calvino, Guunusa, & Nedicara et.al., 2005).

This paper will discuss the evaluation of the work space of an individual in the company. This person works at the computer essentially 10 hours a day with breaks for lunch and short miscellaneous breaks. There is a great need to assure this employees comfort as well as avoid injury. Studies presently show that improvements in work work stations for people who work at computers can be made to decrease risk and increase productivity (Smith & Bayehi, 2003). It is important to fit the employees body type to the equipment and furniture that is being used.

Step One of our evaluation has to be the overall observation of this office. Step Two would be to assure that good anthropometric evaluations is done of each of the employees using the newer digital photographic tools so an organized evaluation can be done. Step three would be to look at the amount of time that employees are out because of such complaints as back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, allowing us statistical evaluation for an ROI. Once the evaluation is done , the noted problems should be solved and many of those will be solved with ergonomically based furniture.

This furniture of course will need to be fit to each employee. No two workers are alike, therefore no two workstations will be exactly right. This becomes even more important as the workforce ages and the risk of long term injury becomes higher (Smith, 2005). Studies now show that employees who work at computers feel the need to leave their computers at least five times per day to stretch their legs. This affects the productivity of the department (Smith, 2005). It is interesting to note here, and consider as we redesign the furniture in this office that over 60% of employees surveyed note that they would like to be able to stand at least 50% of the time that they spent doing their jobs (Smith, 2005).

This may need to be part of this evaluation and change. There are presently newer workspaces that adjust from standing to sitting in a manner that will allow the worker to make that choice. This might keep the worker on the job more often and increase the productivity in the department. Articulating adjusting keyboards will definitely have to be used as studies have shown that, in fact, these key boards do decrease the hand and wrist injury that comes with chronic use of the computer. Hand and wrist injuries can mean a large deal of time off work with permanent injury for the employee.

This kind of injury definitely needs to be prevented (Smith, 2005). In conclusion, in order to assure the increased productivity and decreased risk that is necessary for a department that spends a large amount of time on computers, anthropomorphic studies should be done and equipment adjusted to the employees needs. If the budget allows equipment that also allows the employee to get out of his chair and continue to work, it is even better. There are many newer pieces of equipment that can be evaluated for use in this scenario and certainly the ROI will show that decreasing risk and increasing productivity will pay for the change in furniture.

ReferencesCalvino, F., Gunnusa M., Ndicara A, et.al. (2005). Evaluating human body area factors from digital images. A measurement tool for a better evaluation of the ergonomics of working places. Occupational Ergonomics. 173-185.Smith M, & Bayehi D. (2003). Do ergonomics improvements increase computer workers productivity?: an intervention study in a call centre. Ergonomics 46(1). 3-18.Smith, J. (2005). How long can you stand to sit? Occupational Health and Safety?40(8). 123.