Ryan Law is the Director of Content Marketing at Ahrefs. Ryan has 13 years experience as a writer, content strategist, team lead, marketing director, VP, CMO, and agency founder. He's helped dozens of companies improve their content marketing and SEO, including Google, Zapier, GoDaddy, Clearbit, and Algolia. He's also a novelist and the creator of two content marketing courses.
Introduction
Did you know the average direct cost of a workers’ compensation claim for a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is $14,120? When considering the indirect costs involved, the total average claim cost rises to well over $32,000. These staggering costs can severely impact your business, potentially leading to financial strain and a decline in overall productivity and employee morale.
Fear not! These alarming costs can be mitigated by conducting a workstation ergonomics self-assessment. When you proactively evaluate and enhance the ergonomics of your employees’ work environment, you can effectively reduce the risks associated with MSDs and safeguard your business from the financial burden and productivity decline they may cause.
Embracing ergonomic self-assessment not only fosters a healthier workplace but also elevates employee satisfaction and efficiency, ultimately contributing to the enduring success of your business.
Feel free to explore our other blog content, where you can find a variety of ergonomics checklists tailored to different settings and needs.
In this blog, you will learn more about the ergonomic self-assessment checklist, which you can encourage your employees to do.
What is a workstation self-assessment?
The workstation ergonomics self-assessment is designed to help your employees evaluate your computer setup and make easy adjustments to enhance their comfort. It allows them to optimise their workstations based on their personal preferences and needs, ensuring that they feel more at ease while working.
As an employer, it’s essential to recognise the importance of creating a dialogue with your workers about their workstation ergonomics. Encouraging open communication and providing resources for self-evaluation can empower your team to take charge of their well-being.
It’s also crucial to acknowledge that workstation ergonomics self-assessment is not limited to traditional office settings. With the rise of remote work and flexible working arrangements, employees increasingly work from home or other non-traditional locations.
The ergonomic self-assessment checklist we will discuss is designed to be versatile, catering to both traditional office spaces and home office environments. This adaptability ensures that your staff can optimise their workstations and maintain comfort and productivity, regardless of their chosen work setting.
The components of a workstation ergonomics self-assessment checklist
The workstation ergonomics self-assessment checklist is a valuable tool that focuses on vital aspects of an employee’s work environment. By examining each component through a series of targeted questions, your workers can identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to their chairs, desks, keyboards, and mice.
Questions about the chair
- Can you adjust the seat height?
- Can you modify the height and angle of the backrest?
- Is the chair stable?
- Does it allow movement?
- Is the chair in a good state of repair?
- If your chair has arms, do they get in the way?
These questions about the chair in the workstation ergonomics self-assessment checklist address key aspects of comfort, support, and functionality. These considerations are crucial to ensuring that your employees maintain proper posture and avoid undue strain on their muscles and joints while working. A well-designed chair can significantly reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders, which can lead to long-term health issues and decreased productivity.
The first three self-assessment questions focus on the adjustability and stability of the chair. Adjusting the seat height and the backrest allows your employees to tailor the chair to their specific needs, ensuring proper support for their lower back and promoting good posture. A stable chair is vital for maintaining balance and preventing accidents. The following two questions assess the chair’s ability to allow movement and its overall state of repair. A chair that permits movement can help prevent stiffness and encourage healthy circulation, while a well-maintained chair ensures that all components function as intended. Lastly, the question about armrests highlights potential obstructions that could impede comfortable typing or mouse use, leading to strain on the wrists and arms.
Explore our comprehensive blog about choosing the correct ergonomic chair.
