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Safe work practices

Ergonomics is the study of work. The aim of ergonomics is to make work more comfortable and to improve both health and productivity. In order to meet these aims, the capabilities and limitations of workers and their tools, equipment and furniture are considered in relation to their use in particular tasks.

Discomfort and fatigue, whether personal or work-related, not only reduce productivity, but if left unattended, may get worse. Ergonomics addresses three areas of work: physical, environmental and emotional.

Physical
Achieving a good fit between you and your computer workstation can make you more comfortable. It can also make you more productive. Varying your tasks throughout the day will help to avoid fatigue.

Environmental
Eliminating glare on your monitor screen makes it more comfortable and easier to read information displayed on the screen.

Emotional
Occasional breaks, taken throughout the day, in conjunction with stretching exercises, help restore your energy and increase productivity.
Proper organisation can help to reduce the stress that frequent deadlines often cause.

The ‘Ergonomics in Australia’ website has some fantastic resources on how to sit at a computer and on injury prevention. Follow the links below.
http://www.ergonomics.com.au/ >>How to sit at a computer >>Injury prevention

‘Swinburne University’ has an excellent site explaining a variety of safe work practices. It can be found at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au >> Staff>> Human resources >>OHS >> safe work practices.

The ‘University of Melbourne’ website has some useful checklists, particularly for office peripherals such as document holders, phones and lighting. http://www.pb.unimelb.edu.au/ehs/ >> Workplace health & safety

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