09/ 22/ 2004
For some people, the word "ergonomics" brings to mind funny looking handles on cooking utensils or chairs that look more like abstract art in a museum than something you'd actually sit in. But say "ergonomics" to a small-business owner, and he or she just might visualize money flying right out of the cash register. This flying money might be in the form of workers' compensation costs due to injury, or paying to implement ergonomic guidelines and mandates to prevent injury in the first place.
But ergonomics is more than just complying with sometimes-costly government regulations; it's about old-fashioned process improvement in the workplace. If you fix an ergonomics problem, employees are healthier and happier – they're also safer and more productive.
NFIB is working to working to prevent government mandates related to workplace safety and ergonomics, but there are many places in your small business where you can take preventive steps toward a healthy and safe workplace. Consider the following:
At the computer
In this day and age, almost everyone works on a computer at least part of the time. Is the space comfortable? The computer's monitor should be placed directly in front of the chair and in the center of the workspace, and the Job Accommodation Network suggests the monitor be 18-28 inches away from the user's eyes. Is there a glare from the monitor? Do you have to look up or down to see the screen? Are your feet touching the floor? Does your chair have back support? Are your shoulders relaxed? How is your posture?
Traffic flow
We're not talking about your commute to work every morning, we're talking about the foot traffic around your workspace each day. Is there enough room to walk around and actually work? What are the areas of your small business that have the most foot traffic? Is it free of obstacles like boxes, cords, tears in the carpet, etc.?
Lighting
Lighting should be adequate in the workspace. Too much or too little can lead to awkward positions, eyestrain and mental fatigue. Can you see comfortably? Are you squinting to focus? Are you learning forward or pushing back from your computer to see better?
And the list goes on. You will also have many areas you can optimize for safety and comfort based on your industry. Manufacturers, restaurant owners, retailers and contractors will have different concerns based on the specifics of their daily work. If you have any questions at all about comfort in your workspace and safety in your small business, consult your human resources professional. He or she will have a wealth of valuable information. Another great resource is OSHA.
According to www.osha.gov, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration within the Department of Labor "aims to ensure worker safety and health in the United States by working with employers and employees to create better working environments."
OSHA even offers free on-site consultations to small businesses seeking help creating safety and health programs or identifying and correcting hazards. These on-site consultations are completely separate from OSHA's inspection duties as no citations or penalties are handed down during these consultations. The only obligation to the small-business owner utilizing these consultation services is a commitment to correct any hazards or unsafe conditions that might be found.
OSHA has developed and updated voluntary guidelines for industries such as nursing homes, grocery stores and poultry processing facilities, working together with businesses, workers and experts. Most small business do not fall under one neat umbrella, but there are things that every small-business owner can do today to prevent injury and illness tomorrow.
