Ergonomically Speaking......

In the last episode, I outlined what we as carer’s should be aware of to ensure healthy ergonomic practices and musculoskeletal development in children and adolescents, but what about the educators? Teaching is a physically and cognitively demanding job. Teacher health and quality of life has been found to be influenced by working conditions, musculoskeletal comfort and psychological wellbeing. By...

Ergonomics and human factors is all about designing and optimising tasks, environments and equipment to promote musculoskeletal health and comfort. This applies not just to work settings, but also to the play and study environments of young people. As we approach the start of the school year, I feel it is important to highlight the steps we can take to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal discomfort...

As our work, learning and leisure time becomes more digitised, for a lot of us our exposure to display screens has likely never been higher. While this has allowed us to work remotely, learn remotely and stay connected, it has also increased the prevalence of and the risk of developing digital eye strain. Digital Eye Strain (DES), also known as Computer Vision Syndrome, is the umbrella term given...

Driving, whether we do it for a living or as part of our day to day lives, presents a risk of musculoskeletal discomfort and injury and I am not talking about potential car accidents! The more time we spend in the car, the higher the risk. In this episode, I will outline the risk factors to be considered when driving, the potential musculoskeletal injuries and how you can reduce the risk. The blog...

It is that time of year again, when shopping for school supplies has begun. The schoolbag, or backpack, is a vital piece of equipment. It will be used to transport supplies at least twice a day, placing loads on the developing spine. Correct schoolbag selection for the user and correct schoolbag use will ensure that you are protecting the musculoskeletal development of the young user and instillin...

It is heatwave time here in Ireland and across Europe, where the workforce is divided between those that are basking and those that are hiding - I'm a hider!! Whether you love a heatwave or dread it, it is important that we all know how to stay comfortable and safe when working. This episode outlines the heat illness we want to avoid and what we can do as employees and employers to ensure we all s...

When it comes to musculoskeletal discomfort, appropriate postures and equipment in the workplace are crucial to reducing the risk. However, even with the most suitable equipment and neutral supported postures, musculoskeletal discomfort and injury can, and likely will, occur if postures are maintained for too long.  In this episode, I will describe what is meant by static postures, the impact...

June is celebrated as LGBTQIA+ Pride month in many countries (although my own local Drogheda Pride is taking place over the first weekend of August this year) and the aim is to promote and celebrate dignity, equality and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community.  In this episode, I am going to summarise the findings of reports from the EU Agency for Safety and Health at Work, EU-OSHA, that highli...

Putting the “S” in DSE, your screens are the focal point of your workstation. Given the amount of time spent focusing on the screen, it is so important that they are set up correctly for you, your tasks and your work environment. In this episode, I am going to walk you through ideal monitor positioning and settings to help reduce your risk of musculoskeletal discomfort, eye strain, fatigue and hea...

Everywhere you go you will see people on their phones. Most will have one thing in common. What is it? No, not the headphones or airpods - they are looking down! Improvements in portable technology have revolutionised how we communicate, work and relax but it can be at a cost. Upper back, neck and shoulder complaints are on the rise and for a lot of people, this is linked to the use of smartphone,...

Pregnancy presents a unique health and safety challenge in the workplace. This is due, firstly, to the consideration that must be given to both the pregnant employee and the developing child and secondly, due to the unique and unpredictable nature of each pregnancy. During this podcast episode, I will discuss the following: What are the risks to the pregnant, post-natal and breastfeeding employee...

What is the best mouse to use at a DSE workstation? The answer is simple. The best mouse is the one that allows you to maintain an ideal upper limb posture, encourages a good mousing technique, reduces static and dynamic muscle loading while catering for your task requirements. Like I said, simple! While most of us are familiar with the standard DSE mouse, there are other mouse device options avai...

What is the best keyboard to use at a DSE workstation? The answer is simple. The best keyboard is the one that allows you to maintain an ideal typing posture, encourages a good typing technique, reduces static and dynamic muscle loading while catering for your task requirements. Like I said, simple! While most of us are familiar with the standard DSE keyboard, there are other keyboard options avai...

I have lost count of how many times I have been asked if Sit Stand Workstations live up to the hype or if they are worth the investment. In this episode I talk about the different types of sit stand workstations available and how to make sure you are using it correctly to increase mobility and reduce discomfort. Apologies for the audio quality and my voice, I am currently at home with Covid but re...

What are RSIs, how to reduce your risk of developing one & what to do if you think you have one! Repetitive Strain Injuries are one of the main causes of preventable workplace discomfort and absenteeism, but many people are not aware that they are at risk of developing one. In this episode, I outline the causes of RSIs, how to spot if you might have one and what you can do to prevent one devel...

What features should you be looking for when buying an office chair for use at the DSE workstation? It can be a minefield looking for a good DSE chair for yourself or your employees. So many chairs claim to be ergonomic either are not suitable for use by the most DSE users or do not meet the legal requirements for DSE seating under Irish regulations, the Guide to the Safety, Health & Welfare a...

Episode 5 looks at the Top 5 non-essential but definitely desirable pieces of equipment that DSE users should have to help improve support, stability, positioning and mobility while working on the computer.

How do you put together a DSE workstation!? What do you need (apart from the computer!) and how do you know if its right? I have you covered as I outline the 5 basic pieces of kit you need to set up a DSE workstation (Sorry for my voice, I was getting over a rotten cold when I was recording and fighting the urge to cough a lot!!!) For tips on posture, equipment and other ergonomic issues, follow m...

Episode 3 focuses on how best to position yourself at your computer to reduce the risk of discomfort and injury. I recommend listening to this one at your desk so you can check your positioning as I talk you through it! :)

Episode 2 looks at what is posture, why it matters & why ergonomics focuses on reducing repetitive / adverse postures

A quick intro to the who, what and why of the Ergonomically Speaking... podcast from Boyne Ergonomics.