Ergonomics - Melanie Rowland Osteopath
What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is a science concerned with the relationship between people and their work. It takes account of the worker's capabilities and limitations in seeking to ensure that tasks, equipment, information and the environment suit each worker. There are five aspects of ergonomics - safety, comfort, ease of use, productivity/performance, and aesthetics.
Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. (Including working postures, materials handling, repetitive movements, work related musculoskeletal disorders, workplace layout and safety and health.)
Ergonomics in the Workplace
Ergonomics in the workplace has to do largely with the safety of employees, both long and short-term. Ergonomics can help reduce costs by making improving safety - which would significantly decrease the money paid out in workers’ compensation by UK employers each year. For example, over five million workers sustain overextension injuries per year. Through ergonomics, workplaces can be designed so that workers do not have to overextend themselves and the manufacturing industry could save billions in workers’ compensation.
Workplaces may either take the reactive or proactive approach when applying ergonomics practices. Reactive ergonomics is when something needs to be fixed, and corrective action is taken. Proactive ergonomics is the process of seeking areas that could be improved and fixing the issues before they become a large problem. (Problems may be fixed through equipment design or task design. Equipment design changes the actual, physical devices used by people, whereas Task design changes what people do with the equipment).
If you wish to contact Melanie or a member of her team to book an appointment or for further information, please visit our Contact Us page from the top menu to use our online enquiry form. Alternatively you may send us an email to info@osteopath-ergonomics.co.uk or give us a call on 07867 555801. We look forward to working with you soon.
