Ergonomic Workstation Assessments and DSE Assessments

Ergonomics aims to fit the work to the worker, thus reducing both physical and psychological stresses and strains on the worker.
An ergonomic workstation assessment can be of great benefit to employees who are experiencing difficulties with their working environment and have disabilities or health problems. The employee may still be at work, on a phased return to work programme or off sick.

Current legislation requires employers to take an active approach in ensuring the health and safety of their employees. The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 implement an EC Directive and came into effect from January 1993. The Regulations require employers to minimise the risks in display screen work by ensuring that workplaces and jobs are well designed.

During an ergonomic assessment by one of our team a full task analysis will be performed to allow an understanding of the task the individual has to perform and any functional limitations they may have. This helps to identify risk factors that may cause health problems or reduce work performance.Risk factors may relate to the posture the workstation user has adopted, the layout of the work area or design of the equipment being used.

The ergonomist will provide advice to the employee at the assessment and a detailed report will be produced. This will list any problems identified, and contain recommendations relating to workstation layout, equipment, job re-organisation, training and whether clinical intervention is required.Advice can be given to managers on realistic timescales to keep individuals at work without aggravating the problem.

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