MHE510, Occupational Health and Safety, Mod 2 SLP Essay

MHE510, Occupational Health and Safety, Mod 2 SLP - Essay Example There is a great need to assure this employees comfort as well as avoid injury. Studies presently show that improvements in work work stations for people who work at computers can be made to decrease risk and increase productivity (Smith & Bayehi, 2003). It is important to fit the employees body type to the equipment and furniture that is being used. Step One of our evaluation has to be the overall observation of this office. Step Two would be to assure that good anthropometric evaluations is done of each of the employees using the newer digital photographic tools so an organized evaluation can be done. Step three would be to look at the amount of time that employees are out because of such complaints as back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, allowing us statistical evaluation for an ROI. Once the evaluation is done , the noted problems should be solved and many of those will be solved with ergonomically based furniture. This furniture of course will need to be fit to each employee. No two workers are alike, therefore no two workstations will be exactly right. This becomes even more important as the workforce ages and the risk of long term injury becomes higher (Smith, 2005). Studies now show that employees who work at computers feel the need to leave their computers at least five times per day to stretch their legs. This affects the productivity of the department (Smith, 2005). It is interesting to note here, and consider as we redesign the furniture in this office that over 60% of employees surveyed note that they would like to be able to stand at least 50% of the time that they spent doing their jobs (Smith, 2005). This may need to be part of this evaluation and change. There are presently newer workspaces that adjust from standing to sitting in a manner that will allow the worker to make that choice. This might keep the worker on the job more