Desk Workstation Ergonomic Assessments

Why is a workstation ergonomic setup important?

Absenteeism and litigation aren’t just caused by manual tasks. Ergonomics is recognised as one of the most important factors in the workplace health and safety environment today. Poor posture is the underlying cause of many musculoskeletal disorders that we manage on a daily basis. If you are sitting at a workstation it is essential that it be adjusted to fit you. A worker required to work in a poorly designed ergonomic work space is destined to injury. All ergonomic assessments are performed by fully qualified and practicing Physiotherapists, Osteopaths or Exercise Physiologists with extensive knowledge of the current legislation. Corporate Work Health Australia offer a number of ergonomic solutions for the workplace. We cater for both small and large companies and offer clients a variety of ways to provide ergonomic assessment & advice. If you have any queries about what ergonomic package might best suit your workplace, please call us to speak to a consultant.

Our Service Offerings

Book a consultation by emailing admin@corporateworkhealth.com.

 

Level 1. “Sit-Safe” Ergonomic Training with individual ergonomic desk advice (Ergonomic Audit)

Our basic level of ergonomic cover for organisations. This option is suited to larger groups of workers needing ergonomic advice. Our ‘Sit-Safe’ Ergonomic Training is completed onsite for groups of up to 25 workers per course. A registered Physiotherapist, Osteopath or Exercise Physiologist will facilitate the training training sessions that includes both theoretical and practical components, emphasizing the importance of postural awareness in the workplace, and teaching the basics of correct ergonomic setup (with a mock workstation) as well as common injuries and faults. This allows workers to return to their desks and correct the basics. We then spend the rest of the time available visiting each worker at their workstation to provide individual advice, making further ergonomic corrections and answering any questions they may have. This brief ergonomic workstation assessment will signal any high risk workers who require further follow up.

Case Example:

  • Suitable for 11+  workers, particularly larger groups of workers (50+)
  • ‘Sit-Safe’ Ergonomic Training provided for 45 minutes for all workers (we can also customise 30 and 60 minute sessions).
  • 10 minutes spent with each worker giving basic advice on workplace ergonomics at their workstation and making additional changes.
  • No individual ergonomic assessment reports provided, however, a summarized list of changes still required / ergonomic accessories required for each worker will be provided to management.

Level 2. Standard Individual Ergonomic Desk Risk Assessments, 15 or 30 minutes per worker

15 minute ‘preventative’ ergonomic desk risk assessment

Typically, these workers are not experiencing any symptoms or injuries and the assessment aims to ensure that their ergonomic workstation is set up correctly to prevent injury.

30 minute ‘minor complaints’ ergonomic desk risk assessment

Typically, these workers have only minor symptoms (eg. occasional lower back ache) or injuries and the ergonomic assessment aims to ensure that their workstation is set up correctly to reduce symptoms and prevent further injury. With both length assessments our therapists will review the individual and their ergonomic workstation, identify any ergonomic issues, educate on reducing sedentary postures, modify where necessary their workstation to minimise risk of injury and provide recommendations in terms of self-management strategies, ergonomic accessories and safe working practices.

Ergonomic Case Example:

  • Suitable for 10+ ergonomic assessments/workers.
  • 15 or 30 minute assessment per worker
  • Assessment includes: 1-2 page individual report documenting all findings, current issues, advice given to worker, changes made and any ergonomic accessories required

Level 3. One-on-one Specialist Ergonomic Desk Assessments (longer assessment), including detailed report

This ergonomic assessment is designed for the injured worker. Many of your workers may complain about pain or numbness after sitting for prolonged periods at the desk. Even more worrying is that some workers often suffer in silence and fail to report the early onset of symptoms. Work performance can decrease as their comfort decreases. Our consultants are able to come to you to carry out one-on-one consultations to identify risk factors and assess root cause/s and provide recommendations on appropriate management. The assessment allows the health professional to interview the worker on their current concerns, any past injury history, and ensure that any modifications suit their individual needs. Our aim is to resolve and/or significantly improve symptoms which employees experience when at work and prevent the likelihood of aggravation occurring.

Ergonomic Case Example:

  • Suitable for 1+ ergonomic assessment/worker experiencing current musculoskeletal complaints
  • Longer consultation and assessment (45-60mins) per worker, plus 45-60 minutes reporting time
  • Ergonomic assessment includes: Detailed report provided on assessment documenting current issues and hazards, advice given to worker, changes made to workstation, any ergonomic accessories needed, details of current injuries and complaints and aggravating factors, specific advice given by practitioner and any necessary referrals

Level 3. One-on-one Specialist Ergonomic Desk Assessments & Manual Handling Task Review, including detailed report

This ergonomic and manual handling assessment is designed for the worker who performs both desk based tasks and manual tasks. Many of your workers may complain about pain or numbness after sitting for prolonged periods at the desk and or during manual handling tasks. Even more worrying is that some workers often suffer in silence and fail to report the early onset of symptoms. Work performance can decrease as their comfort decreases. Our consultants are able to come to you to carry out one-on-one consultations to identify risk factors and assess root cause/s and provide recommendations on appropriate management. The assessment allows the health professional to interview the worker on their current concerns, any past injury history, and ensure that any modifications suit their individual needs. Our aim is to resolve and/or significantly improve symptoms which employees experience when at work and prevent the likelihood of aggravation occurring.

Case Example:

  • Suitable for 1+ ergonomic assessment/worker experiencing current musculoskeletal complaints
  • Longer assessment (60 – 90 mins) per worker, plus 45-60 minutes reporting time
  • Ergonomic and manual handling assessment includes: Detailed report provided on assessment documenting current issues and hazards, advice given to worker, changes made to workstation, any ergonomic accessories needed, details of current injuries and complaints and aggravating factors, specific advice given by practitioner and any necessary referrals

Level 4. Basic Home Office Ergonomic Desk & Safety Risk Assessment (worker has no musculoskeletal complaints)

All employers have a duty of care under current legislation to provide a safe workplace for their workers. If a worker is working from home this includes their home office and home environment. This level of assessment ensures your workers home office has been assessed for both ergonomic risk factors and general safety risk factors. Building on from our ergonomic assessments we are able to send a WHS qualified practitioner to your worker’s home office to complete an ergonomic assessment and safety risk assessment with report. Our consultants will carry out a risk assessment to identify all ergonomic hazards, plus assess manual handling issues, repetition, trip hazards, fire safety, ventilation, emergency contacts, childcare arrangements and first aid supplies. This will provide you with a report which can be kept with your Health and Safety Rep’s records for management.

Ergonomic Case Example:

  • Suitable for 1+ ergonomic and safety risk assessment/worker who works from home office.
  • Worker is not experiencing any musculoskeletal complaints.
  • Extended assessment per worker including consulting with HR, Health & Safety Rep/Officer & management can be arranged if needed.  Please discuss this with the consultant if you think this would be beneficial.
  • Ergonomic Assessment includes: Report provided including details of ergonomic assessment and safety risk assessment plus identified hazards.

Level 4. Specialized Home Office Ergonomic Desk & Safety Risk Assessment (worker is experiencing musculoskeletal complaints)

All employers have a duty of care under current legislation to provide a safe workplace for their workers. If a worker is working from home this includes their home office and home environment. This level of assessment ensures your workers home office has been assessed for both ergonomic risk factors and general safety risk factors. Building on from our ergonomic assessments we are able to send a WHS qualified practitioner to your worker’s home office to complete an ergonomic assessment and safety risk assessment with report. Our consultants will carry out a risk assessment to identify all ergonomic hazards, plus assess manual handling issues, repetition, trip hazards, fire safety, ventilation, emergency contacts, childcare arrangements and first aid supplies. This will provide you with a report which can be kept with your Health and Safety Rep’s records for management.

Ergonomic Case Example:

  • Suitable for 1+ ergonomic and safety risk assessment/worker who works from home office.
  • Worker is experiencing musculoskeletal complaints.
  • Extended ergonomic assessment per worker including consulting with HR, Health & Safety Rep/Officer & management if needed.
  • Ergonomic assessment includes: Detailed report provided including details of ergonomic assessment and safety risk assessment plus identified hazards.

This blog post was written by osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy. Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced osteopaths working across both of the clinics. The Melbourne City CBD clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation. The Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation. To speak to an Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.