Ergonomic Assessments: What's the Big Deal?

Nikki Weiner OTD, OTR/L, AOEAS

Chances are, you are a highly skilled person. You might also be a “do-it-yourself-er”. The kind of person that spends their weekend changing their own oil in their car, perhaps. Or maybe you learned to tile your kitchen on You Tube? Truth is, like home repairs, there is a lot of practical knowledge on the internet that can help you help yourself navigate the world of workplace ergonomics, too.

Even so, if you want to full benefit of ergonomics, it is a wise investment to hire a professional.

Think of it kind of like hiring someone to do your taxes. It gets complicated, and you might miss something.  In the end, you are questioning if you did it all wrong. (At least that’s how it would be if I did my own taxes.)

Here are 5 perks of working with an ergonomic specialist:

1.       Expert knowledge

Ergonomic specialists with a background in occupational therapy or physical therapy have a strong healthcare background—master or doctorate level plus additional certification-- that help them understand body mechanics, anatomy, and mechanism of injury.  I always say there are a lot of moving pieces in ergonomics, and that there are usually multiple solutions to a specific ergonomic issue. Ergonomic specialists examine not only the individual, but also the complex working environment and the use of equipment, and they do so with an expertly trained eye (and probably a measuring tape).

2.       Unbiased representation of products and vendors

If you speak to an office chair salesperson, they might have a lot of knowledge of about ergonomics, but when it comes down to it, remember, they are in the business of selling chairs. An ergonomic specialist recommends products for you based on your individual needs and specific product features, while also taking into account additional factors like budget or location. When equipment is not in the budget, we can help you come up with low to no cost solutions. If you want the top-of-the-line product alongside a service rep, we can facilitate that process as well.

Also, there is a LOT of product out there. There are some really great products on the market mixed in with some really bad products that claim to be “ergonomic”. Reading product reviews does not ensure that the product is a good fit for your specific needs, as the specifications and features don’t necessarily have anything to do with quality or customer service ratings.

3.       Un-informed “ergonomic” modifications can do more harm than good

If you think a sit-stand desk will improve your back pain, a ball chair will reduce sciatica, or a vertical mouse will decrease wrist pain, this is simply not true. Ergonomics involves the user’s interaction with the right equipment, not the equipment itself. When such items are used improperly or not fit well to the user, you could be doing more harm than good. I see this all the time.

You might even have a doctor’s order for something like a sit-stand desk, which really makes it seem like a cure for what ails you, but even a doctor’s order does not make it necessarily the best solution for your needs. If you are experiencing a musculoskeletal problem of ergonomic nature for which you have seen a medical provider, it should be taken seriously by means of an in-depth assessment. It is not something that can be fixed by plunking a retail item your Amazon cart.

4.       The long term relationship

Individual needs continuously change and evolve in regards to our health and work environments. Chances are you have relationships with other specialists like your dentist and car mechanic, why not have a specialist in your arsenal who is a resource for workplace ergonomics?  We spend a huge fraction of our day (and LIFE) at work, but we tend to focus on health outside the walls of work. Ask yourself what you do for personal health, and chances are it’s something that takes place outside the context of work (the gym? the kitchen? the outdoors?).  Addressing issues early combined with maintenance and semi-regular “check-ins” is a formula for workplace longevity and optimal work performance, and the benefits even spill over to positively impact our overall quality of life, outside work.

When ergonomics is done right, there is high return on investment. You are saving time and resources by having a professional guide you to the right, made-just-for-you solutions.

Have questions about the ergonomic assessment process? Email me at connect@risingworkplace.com