Workplace ergonomics
Steel Safety Day was launched in 2014 to draw attention to the main causes of safety-related incidents in the global steel industry. Topics include “Running machines”, “Plant traffic”, “Process safety”, etc. This year, we want to bring back the topic of ergonomics in the workplace:
Workplace ergonomics is all about the kind of work you do, the environment you work in, and the tools you use to do the job. It looks at the potential health risks associated with performing your job and at Montana Building Systems Ltd. this covers everyone across all job roles.
Jobs or working conditions presenting multiple risk factors will have a higher probability of causing a musculoskeletal problem. The level of risk depends on the intensity, frequency, and duration of the exposure to these conditions. Environmental work conditions that affect risk include intensity, frequency and duration of activities. In the workplace there are many hazards and at Montana we ensure that we always manage the risks accordingly. Always think: Is there a better way?
How to avoid injury:
In an office:
- Try to place your work in front of you and sit tall while you work
- Try not to put too much stress on one area of your body, such as your
- lower back or arms
- Change your position often
- Turn with your whole body instead of twisting to face your work
- Take breaks to stretch or get out of your chair every 20 to 40 minutes
- Reduce the length of time that a task is carried out
- Improve the working environment
- Tackle the underlying effects of work or conditions
- Reduce repetition
- Find the right working position
On site:
- Reduce repetition
- Find the right working position
- Reduce the amount of force required
- Reduce the length of time that a task is carried out
- Improve the working environment.
- Tackle the underlying effects of work or conditions
- Try not to repeat a task too frequently
- Take care when bending, twisting and reaching
- Take care when lifting weights
- Limit your exposure to uncomfortable or static working positions
- Do not work for too long without breaks
- Be aware of cold or hot environmental conditions