It's only a little niggle...

In the many years of working as a rehabilitation consultant in worker's compensation, I can't begin to tell you how many times injured workers' have told me how their injury occurred, explaining that 'it was only a niggling discomfort, I thought it would just go away'.

Lower back pain, upper back pain, neck pain, wrist pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain.. the list goes on and on. Left to get better on their own, these niggling discomforts can sometimes develop into full-blown injuries that can take months and even years to recover!

Besides getting an all-important workstation assessment to ensure that how you sit and work isn't contributing to the discomfort, other things that can help out in these early stages can include:

• Massages from a qualified remedial massage therapist or physiotherapist
• A few physiotherapy sessions (and then actually doing the stretches and exercises they prescribe)
• Some anti-inflammatory medication (talk to your doctor or pharmacist first)
• Light exercise and movement (we sit down for way too long each day)

Also, it's worth looking at the things you handle everyday - For example, some handbags are really heavy! Do you really need a full 1L water bottle, a diary, a book, a make up bag, spare shoes etc. with you at all times? See what things you can leave at work or home, what you can downsize (i.e. using a small bottle and refilling it as needed), or other ways you can carry things to and from work (backpacks and trolley bags are a couple of options).

The most important message out of this is that it's so much better to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to aches and pains that just don't go away. Act before they become more than just a bit of pain in the neck!

www.get-ergonised.com.au
1300 820 877

What is ergonomics? What's a workstation assessment?

I've come to a realisation that many people don't really know what I do, or what Get Ergonised stands for. Having conversations with people over Christmas, I noticed that they were doing a lot of nodding but not a lot of understanding.. so here it is:

What is ergonomics? 

Essentially, ergonomics is making products and tasks more comfortable for the user. When applied to office workstations, it means making it more comfortable for people to sit and work at their desk. That's it, nothing more, nothing less. Just something to make your workstation not make you sore. When you think about it, many of us experience that niggling neck and upper back tension that always seems to get worse when working on an intense project or after a long day or week.. and how about that low back pain that can sometimes make it hard to stay seated for hours on end. Even things like forearm pain, wrist pain, headaches, eye strain and leg soreness may be symptoms attributed to sitting at a desk that has not been set up specifically to suit you. Hot-desking seems to be the new thing in workplaces, where you get to sit at a different workstation every day.. do all these people spend 2 minutes each morning setting themselves up for optimal comfort?

So what's a workstation assessment? 

A workstation assessment is an evaluation of you at your workstation. It includes making sure your chair is at the right height, and that the backrest fits the curves of your back; that the monitor, keyboard and mouse are positioned correctly for you; that your phone is accessible without straining yourself; and also as importantly, that your workflow is effective and work areas on your desk are appropriately designated.

January is a great month for having a workstation assessment, as most people will still be relaxed and pain-free after a few days or weeks off from work. Start the year off getting yourself ergonised!

Check out www.get-ergonised.com.au for more information on work and home workstation assessments.

Who'll be stringing up the Christmas lights at work this Christmas?

Ahh the festivities..Secret Santa's, candy canes and merriment all round. Christmas can be such a fun time of year in homes and workplaces across the country! Here are a few safety tips to keep everyone smiling:

1. Carrying heavy gifts and boxes of decorations? 
Use a trolley where you can, or divide up the load into smaller bundles.

2. Hanging up tinsel and other pretty decorations in the office?
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT stand on a swivel chair! Ladders and step stools have been made for a reason. Use them!!

3. Gift giving time?
Pick up wrapping paper and ribbon from the floor - no one likes a slip hazard!

4. You don't like your gift?
Don't throw it back at the gift giver. Eye injuries are never fun.

So there it is.. have a safe and happy Christmas, and see you again in the new year!

CONTACT GET ERGONISED TODAY TO ARRANGE AN OBLIGATION-FREE SITE VISIT FROM A CONSULTANT IN THE NEW YEAR. INCLUDES A COMPLIMENTARY PREVENTATIVE ASSESSMENT FOR THE REFERRER. 

www. get-ergonised.com.au
admin@get-ergonised.com.au
1300 820 877

Ergonomic humour

Here's a funny take on a serious topic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_popout&v=Ns_mt77JZb0

Picking up on common bad habits is a great start to improving the way you sit (and feel) when at work. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of training and education in the good, bad and ugly bits of work posture and ergonomics.

Contact Get Ergonised today to book in training sessions or ergonomic assessments for the new year so that you can start the year feeling comfortable at work, and stay that way!

www.get-ergonised.com.au

admin@get-ergonised.com.au

1300 820 877

Harmonising Work Health & Safety across Australia

As of 1 January 2012, Commonwealth, States and Territories have agreed to implement nationally harmonised WH&S (work health & safety) Legislation.


This means that from next year, a person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure work health and safety, and will have a duty to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, that the health and safety of other persons is not put at risk from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking. 



These duties include requiring, so far as is reasonably practicable: 


• the provision and maintenance of a work environment that is without risks to health or safety 
• the provision and maintenance of safe plant, structures and safe systems of work
• the safe use, handling-including transport-and storage of plant, structures and substances
• the provision of any information, training, instruction or supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking
• the provision of, and access to, adequate facilities for the welfare of workers at the workplace, and 
• the health of workers and the conditions at the workplace are monitored for the purpose of preventing work-related illness or injury


The duties to ensure health and safety require persons conducting business or undertakings to eliminate the risks to health and safety, so far as is reasonably practicable. If this is not possible, they must minimise those risks so far as is reasonably practicable.


What does ‘reasonably practicable’ mean?


Work health and safety duties, other than duties of officers, workers and other persons at the workplace, apply so far as is ‘reasonably practicable’.  ‘Reasonably practicable’ represents what can reasonably be done in the circumstances. This means that the duty holders must satisfy the duties as far as they are reasonably able to, taking into account and weighing up all relevant matters, including:


• the likelihood of the relevant hazard or risk occurring
• the degree of harm that might result from the hazard or risk
• what the person knows, or ought reasonably to know, about the hazard or risk and the ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, and
• the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk. 


Only after assessing these matters can the cost of eliminating or minimising the risk be taken into account, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to (significantly outweighs) the risk. 


*source: Safe Work Australia


For office based workers, the use of preventative ergonomic assessments will be a valuable and reasonably practicable tool in monitoring the health health of workers and the conditions at the workplace are monitored for the purpose of preventing work-related illness or injury, and to help in creating a safe work environment 


www.get-ergonised.com.au

Happy Halloween - scary statistics!

Studies have shown that 8 out of 10 computer-using employees will suffer soft tissue injuries, and 2 out of 10 will suffer pain continuously as a direct result of using a computer for a large part of the working day. 


Will you become a statistic? 

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2009-10, about 640,700 people (5.3% of the 12 million people employed at some time in the last 12 months) experienced a work-related injury or illness. Among the 284,300 women who experienced work-related injuries or illnesses 24% were Professionals.

The most commonly reported injuries or illnesses were sprains and strains (30%), followed by chronic joint or muscle conditions (18%), and cuts or open wounds (16%). 

Around 30% of persons who worked at some time in the last 12 months had not received formal training in occupational health and safety risks in the workplace. 

The direct cost of workplace injury can include medical expenses and increases to worker's compensation premiums. However, indirect costs can also add up through increased employee turnover, higher absenteeism and retraining expenses. Not to forget decreased productivity, work quality and low employee morale. Preventing and controlling ergonomic risk factors often cost a fraction of what one worker's compensation claim can cost. Prehab is better than rehab.

www.get-ergonised.com.au 

The Office Breakup

Sometimes written word is not necessary.. check out the office breakup series from juststand.org

What will you be telling your chair tomorrow?