Ergonomically Speaking......

Episode Summary Summer is often seen as a quieter time in the workplace—but from an ergonomics perspective, it can also be one of the most valuable opportunities of the year. In this episode of Ergonomically Speaking , I discuss five practical ergonomic checks that employers can carry out before September arrives. Rather than waiting until workloads increase and discomfort begins to surface, a pro...

When organisations think about DSE risk, the focus often lands on obvious issues — discomfort reports, poor workstation setups or equipment requests. But what happens when the bigger risk isn’t the workstation itself… but the process behind it? In this episode of Ergonomically Speaking… , Niamh explores how DSE systems rarely fail dramatically. Instead, they often drift slowly over time as organis...

What if the “perfect” office chair… isn’t actually right for you? In this episode of Ergonomically Speaking , I unpack one of the most common — and most misunderstood — issues I see during DSE assessments: the difference between compliance and suitability . Because here’s the reality: A chair can tick every box on a compliance checklist and still contribute to discomfort. And equally, a chair that...

A recent court case in Italy has raised an important question for employers everywhere. An employee was injured while working from home, not due to faulty equipment, but during a normal work task. Initially, her claim was denied because the incident occurred at home. The court disagreed and ruled the injury as work-related. While this may seem like a unique case, from an Irish perspective, it high...

In this episode of Ergonomically Speaking…, I’m exploring a pattern I see regularly in my work with organisations managing DSE and wider ergonomic risk. Many organisations start out with a largely reactive approach to DSE. Someone reports discomfort, an assessment is arranged, and adjustments are made. At low volume, this approach can feel efficient and entirely workable. But as organisations grow...

In this episode of Ergonomically Speaking…, I explore one of the most common patterns I see in hybrid and remote-heavy organisations: DSE being managed reactively instead of proactively. Someone reports discomfort. An assessment is arranged. A recommendation is made. And then… the same issue appears again somewhere else. In this episode, I break down why this happens, why hybrid working makes it m...

2025 brought hybrid headaches, overloaded inboxes and more than a few makeshift home-office setups. But 2026 won’t wait — and the organisations who prepare now will protect their people  and  their productivity. In this episode, I...

This Christmas, skip the novelty mug and give a gift that actually makes a difference. In this episode, I share my guide to easy, practical ergonomic gifts that support comfort, focus, and wellbeing — perfect for remote workers, students, and anyone spending long hours at a desk. From affordable setup upgrades to premium investments in long-term health, these are gifts that keep on giving all year...

Episode Title: Small Tweaks, Big Results: Why I Created the Desk Smart Online Course Description: Many freelancers and solopreneurs start their business from the kitchen table or a dining chair — and it works… until it doesn’t. Back pain, stiffness, and fatigue soon follow, and the “quick fix” is often buying new equipment that isn’t actually needed. After 15 years of carrying out DSE assessments,...

It’s 3pm on a Tuesday. Your neck feels like concrete, your shoulders are creeping up to your ears, and you haven’t moved in hours. Sound familiar? In this episode of Ergonomically Speaking… , we're diving into one of the most common workplace challenges: desk discomfort. But don’t worry—we're not here to sell you an expensive chair or redesign your office. Instead, we're walking you through a 10-m...

Working remotely from a beachside cabin or cosy holiday rental sounds like a dream — but poor workstation setups can quickly turn that dream into a literal pain in the neck (and back!). In this episode of Ergonomically Speaking… , I’m diving into practical, down-to-earth advice to help you work comfortably from anywhere this summer. Whether you’re heading off on a workation or just mixing up your...

Did you know that  1 in 4 adults in Ireland  lives with a musculoskeletal condition — and many more employees are managing other medical conditions while working? In this episode, I explore how employers can  create more&nbsp...

Episode Description: Even with a fully kitted-out workstation, you might still be struggling with aches, tension, or fatigue. Why? Often, it’s the small, everyday habits that quietly undo even the best ergonomic setups. In this episode of Ergonomically Speaking... , I’m unpacking 10 common posture and movement habits that could be sabotaging your comfort at work — and most importantly, how to fix...

As a solopreneur, your most valuable business asset isn’t your laptop or your logo — it’s you . In this episode of the Boyne Ergonomics Podcast, I share my personal experience with a work-limiting injury that kept me out of action for 8 weeks — and why that became a turning point in how I approach my own setup. We’ll explore the real cost of poor ergonomics (spoiler: it’s not just neck pain), how...

With so many options on the market, buying an office chair can feel overwhelming. Labels like “ergonomic” are often thrown around — but what do they really mean? In this episode of the Ergonomically Speaking…, I break down the essential features to look for in a DSE-appropriate office chair, especially if you’re buying for yourself or your team. Rather than focusing on specific brands or models, I...

In this episode of the Ergonomically Speaking… podcast, I’m focusing on something we all use every day — screens. Whether you're working on a laptop, using a dual-monitor setup, or checking emails on your phone, poor screen positioning can lead to a range of issues including neck and back pain, eye strain, headaches, and fatigue. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why monitor placement matters...

So, you finally invested in a sit-stand desk—great move! But now, weeks (or months) later, you’re realising… you’re still sitting most of the day. You’re not alone. Many people find themselves in the same situation: the desk is there, the option to stand is available, but the habit just hasn’t clicked. The good news? With a few simple tweaks, you can turn your sit-stand desk from an unused feature...

As an employer, you invest significant resources into attracting top talent, ensuring workplace safety, and fostering a culture of well-being. Yet, one critical factor is often overlooked in these efforts—workplace ergonomics. All too often I am brought into a business to address an issue that has already caused, or contributed to, employee discomfort or absence. Taking a proactive approach to wor...

Ergonomics often gets a reputation for being overly technical, expensive, or something only needed after an injury or for safety-critical roles. The reality? Ergonomics is for everyone. Whether you’re a desk worker, gamer, or hobbyist spending hours at a computer, understanding ergonomics can save you from aches, pains, and long-term health issues. In this episode, I tackle some of the most common...

Unbelievably, it has been nearly 5 years since the beginning of Covid lockdowns and home working! Looking back, that time feels surreal but the legacy lives on in more ways than one.  The pandemic changed how many people, including myself, work and working from home remains a part of many people’s roles. Still today, I work with people who are working from home in suboptimal conditions, with inade...

Hello 2025! During DSE workstation assessments, we put a huge emphasis on trying to achieve the optimum DSE workstation posture, but does it really matter? To put it bluntly, yes it does matter, in the short and the long term. Adverse postures, along with prolonged sitting, longer working hours and increased stress levels, can increase the risk of developing health issues that can have a negative...

Productivity and performance are critical for success at an individual and an organizational level. Anecdotally, I have noticed an increase in podcasts and articles with tips for improving productivity, including time-blocking, improving sleep quality, reducing distractions, avoiding multitasking and AI among others. This got me thinking about the role that ergonomics has to play in enhancing prod...

Halloween is over, we are into November and all the winter weather that comes with it (although here in Ireland, it is fierce mild right now, my 2 are still in shorts and the grass needs to be cut again!)  Winter brings lower light levels, but also glare as the sun is lower in the sky, cold and damp weather and sometimes, a little low mood. Now is the perfect time to make sure your home works...

There were certainly positives to using video for meetings when working from home. It offered connection between employees working from home and increased employee engagement. It helped new starters become familiar with their colleagues in the absence of the office. Even now, with the return to the office and hybrid working, virtual meetings remain a staple of the working week. They allow for conv...

Let’s be honest, while ergonomics might be in the back of your mind while you are working, it is most likely pushed way further back when you are on holidays! We are not long back from our own summer holiday with the kids. While we were away, in between the rollercoasters and ice-cream, I started thinking about all the little things I was doing to make things easier and reduce the risk of injury,...