Ergonomically Speaking......

As the world of work has become more digital, I am finding that computer based workers are spending more and more time seated at their workstation than ever before. In fact, office based workers are considered one of the most sedentary populations, spending 73% of the work day and up to 66% of their waking hours seated. (Edwardson et al, 2002) Increasingly, people are searching for ways to become...

A refresh of Episode 11 Pregnancy presents a unique health and safety challenge in the workplace in that the employer is not only concerned about the welfare of the employee, but also their developing child. The impact of pregnancy on any employee is different and so it can be difficult to predict the effects pregnancy may have on an employee’s ability to safely carry out their tasks. In Ireland,...

Are you aware that women in the workplace often face unique challenges when it comes to their health and well-being? It’s true! According to EU-OSHA (2023), women report less workplace accidents, but report higher levels of work related health issues. From musculoskeletal issues to stress, there are factors that put women at a higher risk compared to their male counterparts. In recognition of Inte...

Most of us will be familiar with the mouse pads that are fitted with foam or gel rests at the base and with the long foam or gel rests that are positioned along the bottom of the keyboard. These are marketed as ergonomic products designed to ensure appropriate hand position to reduce aches and strains when using the mouse / keyboard. But are they a help or are they a hindrance!? In this episode, I...

In the fast-paced world we live in, smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives.  As per Statista, there will be over 4 billion smartphone users in 2024, increasing to over 6 billion in 2029. From staying connected to using social media to managing work tasks on the go, our reliance on these devices is undeniable. However, the convenience of smartphones comes at a cost to our...

Laboratory work is an essential part of scientific research and the pharmaceutical industry. Laboratory based roles can often involve high levels of static postures, repetitive movements, adverse postures, high focus tasks, fine precision movements, manual handling and working with chemicals. In this episode, I will explore key areas of concern and provide practical advice to reduce the risk of mu...

For many of us, how we work has changed dramatically since March 2020 and while some of it has been positive, in terms of flexibility and connectivity, the enduring negative that I still encounter on a regular basis is our attachment to our laptops. This is evident, both at office and home workstations, with many DSE based employees still using the laptop as the primary screen or primary keyboard,...

In the bustling world of retail, where efficiency, customer satisfaction, and employee well-being are paramount, the concept of ergonomic design plays a pivotal role. From optimizing employee performance to enhancing customer experience, retail ergonomics has the power to reshape the industry landscape.  The retail industry is Ireland’s largest sector, employing approximately 270,000 people....

Whether it’s the pressures of work, relationships, or other life challenges, stress and pain are common experiences for many people and can be difficult to manage at the best of times. If you add an acute, cumulative or chronic injury into the mix, it becomes even more difficult.  But have you ever wondered which one comes first? Does excessive stress lead to physical pain, or does pain trigg...

The working population is aging and employers are increasingly faced with the challenge of providing a safe and healthy work environment for employees of all ages. People are working longer for a number of reasons, including financial reasons delaying retirement, better health as they age, talent shortages and a sense of purpose and enjoyment of the social aspect of employment. As older workers br...

Does this sound familiar? You have a good DSE workstation et up, great seating and a nice keyboard. You have completed a DSE workstation risk assessment and everything appears to be as it should, but you are still getting stiffness and tension in your neck and shoulders? Or maybe tension and discomfort in the wrist and hands? It is likely that you are spending a lot of your time looking down at th...

Hot desking is not a new phenomenon but with many employers continuing the hybrid work model into 2023, it has become a popular way to manage the reduced numbers of employees in the office. Hot desking, or desk hoteling, is an open plan office concept where the number of desks is lower than the total number of employees. Employees are not assigned a desk, but either choose an available desk when t...

When you think of an office chair, most people think of the standard swivel chair and rightly so as this is the most common chair that we see being used in offices and home workstations.  As per the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Chapter 5 of Part 2: Display Screen Equipment, there is a minimum standard for chairs to be used at a DSE workstation. Th...

Epilepsy is the term for a group of neurological conditions characterised by the occurrence of seizures, which are sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain. These seizures can range in severity from a person being alert, staring off to the distance, to loss of consciousness and uncontrollable spasms. It is reported that 1 in 5 people will experience a single seizure at some stage of their...

As we roll into 2023 with the new year, new me attitude, it is the perfect time to take stock of your home workstation to ensure it is functional, suited to you and your tasks and fit for purpose. The last episode outlined the importance of posture and what the ideal DSE workstation posture is. In this episode, I have compiled a guide to ensuring your home workstation is set up to allow you to ach...

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 impact for y...

The forced move in March 2020 to home-working and the requirement for social distancing saw a huge increase in the use of video conferencing and meeting software. 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...

Work-related elbow, wrist and hand discomfort can occur in any work environment, including sedentary, desk based roles. Since March 2020 and the shift to home working, I have noticed an increase in the prevalence of elbow, wrist and hand discomfort among employees I have carried out DSE assessments with. There are a number of terms that are used to describe and diagnose discomfort in the elbows, w...

It can be the most wonderful time of the year, but can also be full of hidden hazards that can leave us feeling more woeful than joyful! Want to avoid the ho-ho-holiday aches and pains!? Well, this ergonomic elf has some seasonal tips to avoid common hazards and keep you safe and well this December. The blog for this episode can be found on: https://boyneergonomics.ie/ergonomic-advice-to-keep-chri...

Work-related upper back, shoulder and neck discomfort are generally observed more in workers with sedentary, desk-based roles. Since March 2020 and the shift to home working, I have noticed an increase in the prevalence of upper back, shoulder and neck discomfort among employees I have carried out DSE assessments with. In this episode, I am going to identify the potential physical causes of upper...

There is no doubt that low back and leg pain is a significant issue for people that work in computer and desk-based jobs. This discomfort may be present at the workstation and can also impact quality of life outside of work. According to the Global Burden of Disease study of 2001, back pain has been reported as one of the leading global causes of years lived with disability. In this episode, I am...

Computer workstation lighting is always important, but as we move into the winter, with shorter days and cloudy overcast weather, I usually start to see an increase in symptoms of eye strain and queries about appropriate lighting when working from home when conducting home workstation assessments. This episode will cover considerations for home workstation lighting and the ways you ensure you have...

Back to the workplace for Episode 24! Menopause is a natural transition in life and the reality is that if you menstruate, it can be assumed that you will go through this transition in your lifetime. Given the evolution of the workforce and push to keep people working longer, a high percentage of employees are going to be working while experiencing the transition into the menopause and the symptom...

Taking a step away from the workplace for this episode! To celebrate our HSE National Breastfeeding Week (1st – 7th October) I am highlighting the risks associated with breastfeeding that can cause musculoskeletal discomfort and what you can do to stay comfortable when feeding your baby. As a mother of 2 children, both of whom breastfed for just over 2 years, I am all too aware of the aches and pa...

There is a large focus in the workplace, and rightly so, on ensuring that the physical equipment is suitable for the employees using them. When employees report physical issues with the workplace this can be easily measured and the workplace adapted as required based on symptoms and use.  However, when it comes to neurodivergent employees, the factors that negatively impact their comfort and...