Canadian HR Reporter

24 www.hrreporter.com F E A T U R E S WHEN COVID-19 happened, people were quickly sent to work from home, despite not having an ergonomically sound workstation. Many plunked down on a bed or sofa or were tethered to tables in the kitchen or dining room. Looking to Google for tips on setting up a home office, they may have cobbled together a PBB setup (pillow/box/books). That's a pillow on the chair or behind their back, or both, and a box or pile of books under the laptop or under their feet. Uncomfortable and possibly in pain, many workers might have made an impulse purchase of an "ergonomic" product. Back when the pandemic first hit, 52 per cent of Canadians wanted better seating, 48 per cent were keen to have a better desk and working space and 19 per cent wanted better lighting, according to a survey by DART and Maru/Blue in the National Post. • their head, neck, upper body and legs are roughly in line and vertical ― one foot may be raised on a footrest for short periods • for computer tasks, the upper arms rest alongside the upper body, with s h o u l d e r s r e l a x e d , f o r e a r m s horizontal, elbows close to the body and wrists straight (not bent) Any shortcomings identified during the evaluation phase will help inform the selection of an ergonomically sound workstation. Selecting a workstation The chair: People should start with a seat size that is right for their physical dimensions and then look for adjustable features to fine-tune so that their body is in good alignment for maximum support and comfort, including seat depth, seat height, lumbar support height, arm rest height and lateral position. To ensure they can move from one posture to another, purchasers should look for a tilt feature such as a synchro- tilt or multi-tilt that allows them to unlock the chair (both seat and back) U.K. WORKERS IN NEED OF SUPPORT An ergonomically sound workstation: • accommodates a person's body shape and size • allows people to move through multiple, supportive postures while maintaining their body in good alignment • supports people and their work tools The components of an ergonomically sound workstation typically include a chair, work surface and accessories such as a monitor arm and footrest. Evaluating the home office setup Before investing in an ergonomically sound workstation, people should evaluate their posture and movement opportunities in their existing setup. They should be able to move through postures that give them biomechanical advantages to do their work, with minimal stress on the musculoskeletal system. While it is not necessary to maintain neutral joint positions 100 per cent of the time to minimize risk, the workstation should support and allow them to frequently assume the following throughout the day: While sitting, people should ensure: • the soles of their feet and lower legs are roughly at 90 degrees • their thighs are roughly parallel to the floor • there is at least 90 degrees between their thighs and upper body; more than 90 degrees is better for the lumbar spine • for computer tasks, the upper arms rest alongside the upper body, with s h o u l d e r s r e l a x e d , f o r e a r m s horizontal, elbows close to the body, wrists straight (not bent) and the neck upright While standing, people should ensure: 42.8% Percentage of office workers without a dedicated workspace at home 69% Percentage of home workers who do not use an ergonomic office chair 60% Percentage of home workers who have only one computer screen 66% Percentage of employers not contributing financially to home office costs GETTING IT RIGHT: HOME WORKSTATIONS Online searches for 'ergonomics' and 'work from home' jumped dramatically as COVID-19 swept across the globe. People need to work safely if they want to see long-term positive outcomes for their health and well-being, says Lucy Hart of ergoCentric Now, the future remains uncertain, but remote work could very well be part of the new normal for months, years or even permanently. Embracing ergonomics Amid this uncertainty, one thing hasn't changed ― what the human body needs. People need to maintain good alignment as they move through various postures that support their muscular and skeletal systems to avoid strain and overexertion while working. The long-term benefits are comfort and the elimination or reduction of injuries and chronic diseases ― in particular, chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, various cancers, obesity and decreased mortality. Enter the long game. It's time to deliberately invest in an ergonomically sound workstation that yields benefits today and for years to come. Source: Adapt Global Group E R G O N O M I C S

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