New Zealand organisations are in a unique position to make small but powerful changes by utilizing a simple and undervalued tool in the wellbeing toolkit that will not only improve organisational culture, but also boost productivity, no matter where their teams work. Ergonomics.
What Exactly Is Ergonomics?
When it comes down to it, ergonomics is just the science behind making sure people work in a safe, comfortable and productive environment. It can be applied to everything from office furniture to business processes and even employee wellbeing; ergonomic design focuses on maximising productivity and minimising physical load while remaining respectful of our health and wellbeing.
Massey University defines ergonomics as follows:
Ergonomics addresses both the needs of the person and the system, with a dual focus on optimizing well-being for both the person and the system/business/organisation.
Healthbox's Approach
Since 2004 the team at Healthbox has been helping Kiwi businesses implement ergonomics programmes that empower their teams to do their best work possible. The focus specialises in ergonomic workstations, examining questions such as: How does an individual sit in their chair? Are they experiencing pain when at their workstation? Are they taking micro-breaks throughout the work day?
The Three-Part Blog Series
This launches a three-part blog series exploring:
- Part One: Common workplace injuries resulting from incorrect workstation setup, including RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome, and prevention strategies
- Part Two: Common faults in workstation setups, from screen height to mouse pad placement to footrests
- Part Three: The broader organisational impact of ergonomics on culture, health and safety, productivity, and absenteeism