 | Bill Lee is owner and CEO of Scott Rice Office Interiors, LLC, a company created in 1934, then known as Bauman's. Scott Rice is a Steelcase dealer and an Office Furniture USA franchise owner. Scott Rice provides office furniture, modular carpet, panel systems and related installation and moving services to businesses and organizations throughout central Kansas. Bill acquired Scott Rice in December 2003 after serving as general manager for the three previous years. He has a broad background in sales/sales management and held general management positions in four different companies over the last 25 years. Bill has managed businesses in several different arenas to include office products, paper converting, specialty advertising and now office furniture. He has been involved in three business turnarounds during his management career. Bill grew up in Southeast Kansas and graduated from Kansas University. He served as an Army infantry officer in Vietnam and considers this experience as his best learning experience related to people management. Bill has always felt that managing toward superior service performance is the key to success in any organization and he made that a top priority at Scott Rice from the very beginning. |
Office Environment
2006-03-01 13:04:00
Ergonomics in the workplace
QUESTION: How can I create Ergonomic Solutions in the workplace?
Answer:Good ergonomic conditions in the workplace are “accomplished by designing tasks, work spaces, controls, tools, lighting and equipment to fit the employee’s physical capabilities and limitations,” according to the Federal Center for Disease Control. Researchers tell us that poor ergonomic working conditions costs organizations billions of dollars each year in lost time, lower worker productivity and related healthcare treatment. More than 600,000 employees suffer lost-workday MSD’s (musculoskeletal disorders) each year. These injuries cost $15 billion in direct workers’ compensation costs each year. Some sources estimate the cost to be as high as $45 billion. Half of the injuries involve time away from work. Half of MSD disorders go unreported for various reasons – these disorders also contribute to a significant level of lost productivity. The direct cost of each MSD averages over $22,500. This includes costs of lost production, medical expenses, insurance admin and indirect costs to employers.The good news is the number of related disorders is declining as more attention is being paid to ergonomics in the workplace. Of the various ergonomic disorders, MSDs are the most prevalent, most expensive and most preventable workplace injuries. Much has been written concerning ergonomics and how to best design work environments to compliment the worker, improve productivity and reduce work related medical disorders. Because of the enormity of this subject, we will limit our ergonomic discussion and recommendations to computer use and ergonomic seating. Office workers spend most of the day in a chair at their computer. One manufacturer claims that an independent study conducted with 200 employees over the period of a year revealed that employees sitting in one of their leading ergonomic task chairs experienced a “17 percent increase in productivity and a significant reduction of musculoskeletal disorders.” Results can vary depending on the adjustability of task chairs and the training that users receive. Ergonomic task chair adjustments should include seat height, back tension/angle, back height, arm rest adjustability, seat pan tilt and seat pan firmness. Most office furniture dealers will be able to demonstrate their ergonomic seating and show how adjustments can be made to fit each user. Specific suggestions include: Posture: It is important that users know proper posture. For example, users should be sitting back slightly with both feet on the floor. It is good to get up and move around when possible and take 10 to 15 minute breaks at least once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Seat Pan: The proper seat pan height is attained when the seat pan strikes the user just below the knee caps when standing in front of the chair. The seat pan should tilt back 2 to 5 degrees; however, too much tilt can put pressure on the back of the thigh, shutting off the flow of blood and, in some cases, cause thrombosis (blood clot). For the same reason, short legged users will need to have a foot rest. Arm Rests: Arm rests should be at a height that does not promote slumping and be at a height allowing the forearms to be parallel to the computer key board.Seat Back: The seat back should be adjusted with enough tension that allows the user to sit back slightly. The lumbar support should be at a height to support the hollow of the lower back. Computer Screen: The monitor should be directly in front of the user at arms length. The top line of the monitor should be slightly below eye level. Keeping the screen at a vertical angle will reduce glare. Glare can also be controlled with a glare filter. These adjustments will help keep the neck in a neutral position, minimize muscle fatigue and reduce glare. Computer Keyboard: The keyboard should be at a height that allows the shoulders to be relaxed, the upper arm relaxed and close to vertical; the lower arm should be horizontal and the wrist straight. Mouse: The mouse should be at keyboard height and at a distance that doesn’t cause the user to reach. While using the mouse the forearm should be sitting on the arm rest or desk top. The finger should be resting on the mouse button, not hovering above it. Keyboard Wrist Pads: Foam pads placed in front of the keyboard for wrist supports can remove the sharp, uncomfortable edges. Wrist supports tend to be misused – wrists should be resting on them only during pauses in typing, not while the user is typing. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The most common computer related malady is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). CTS occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed and ultimately damaged as tendon structures swell. CTS is most likely to result where keyboard users keep their wrists bent rather than straight when typing. In summary any repetitive motion or position that puts tension on muscles and nerves is an MSD waiting to happen. There are lots of ways employees and managers can cut back on costly work related injuries. Having the right work environment, tools and training are the three most important.
