Ergonomics Link Comfort to Productivity

Kaeru/via Flickr

Keep It Simple Small business owners should settle on two or three ergonomic models for the majority of employees and keep the ordering process from being too complicated

The right office environment helps reduce injury and improve employee satisfaction

Many issues can lead to physical ailments. Ergonomics—or the lack thereof—may be among the myriad factors. From office chairs to monitors, keyboards, mice, footrests and even transcription foot pedals, you'll find a growing number of products marketed as solutions to physical problems caused by spending too much time at a desk. The designs look cool. And some of them can help reduce workplace injuries and improve both productivity and job satisfaction. But as cost-conscious business owners know, they can be expensive. How do you know which ones are worth the investment?

If you're preparing to invest in new hardware, start by referring to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Checklist Purchasing Guide for information about how to create a more comfortable and productive work environment for your staff. A second OSHA Checklist provides information about posture and other human factors that have an impact on workstation comfort.

'Right now there's no standard,' says Tonya Baggett, a physical therapist in San Jose, California who owns Tonya Baggett Ergonomic Consulting, Inc. She cautions that since its definition meets no established industry or legal definition, product manufacturers are free to use 'ergonomic' as a marketing buzzword. 'So it's really buyer beware.'

Some of your existing equipment may be easily modified to achieve an ergonomic effect. For example, a monitor that's causing one employee neck and eye strain may need nothing more than to be repositioned on top of a phone book or seen more easily thanks to improved lighting.

But if you're not due for an upgrade or don't want to incur that expense right now, there are other ways to help employees reduce repetitive stress injuries. The most important thing is to make sure they're using their equipment correctly, Baggett says. If they're not, even a switch to ergonomic equipment can't resolve the problem.

Also remember that going ergonomic doesn't have to mean spending a fortune. 'Expensive doesn't always mean better,' says Baggett, who shows clients how to choose the right solutions within their budgets.

And while the best ergonomic product is largely a matter of individual taste, she adds that business owners don't have to drive themselves crazy ordering different equipment for each employee. In her experience, it's usually possible for a small business owner to settle on two or three ergonomic models that will work for the majority of employees and keep the ordering process from being too complicated.

Finally, Baggett suggests that when you are ready to shop for ergonomic equipment, you seek advice from someone who does not represent a single manufacturer but instead can offer you a range of solutions. That will help you to avoid spending more than you have to on ergonomics while still protecting your employees' health and keeping them happy and productive in their jobs.

To access additional online information about ergonomics, see the resource page on Baggett's website.

TECHNOLOGY ENABLER: Let CDW Help You Compute More Ergonomically CDW offers ergonomic keyboards, mice, footrests and more. Click here to learn more