Working from home has blurred the line of home and work, but not the importance of a safe workplace

Working arrangements have changed.

As recently as August 2021, over 40% of Australian employees were regularly working from home¹.

Wherever you’re working from, safety is as important as ever.

Benefits of ergonomic assessments

Investing in comfortable and suitable workstations for your employees is setting them up for more productive work.

For many of us who spend a lot of time sitting while we work, there are distinct health benefits of an ergonomic assessment.

Identifying and correcting bad ergonomic practices can prevent a list of short and long-term health effects such as:

• Neck, back, shoulder and limb pain
• Headaches
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Diabetes
• Heart conditions
• Musculoskeletal disorders

Ergonomic risk factors will differ, depending on the type of work.

For example, what affects an administrator who works from their laptop or personal computer will not be the same as someone who works as an air traffic controller with multiple screens.

An ergonomic assessment provides a tailored, professional analysis of your workspace and how you can safely and sustainably use it.

Here are our top 3 reasons why tailored ergonomic assessments are important at home and at work:

1. They increase employee retention

When employees feel safe and comfortable at work, they are more likely to stay. While ergonomics can increase productivity, it is also connected to employee wellbeing. Employers are aware of how challenging it can be to recruit. How your employees feel at work really matters.

2. They identify and help to minimise hazards

An assessment of your employee’s workspace gives you more than an overview of their tasks. You gain insight into a range of hazards present at work. The recommendations from an ergonomic assessment will cover areas such as: equipment prescription, analysis of the role and modifications to the work environment.

3. They can be completed virtually or in person

For many people, work will regularly include working from different locations for various periods of time. Home and office ergonomic assessment are essentially delivered in the same manner and seek to address the same types of issues. The only significant differences are the location of the assessment and the provision of a brief WHS check within the home environment (when required). Both types of assessments can be completed in person or remotely via telehealth.

Get the solution that works for your business

Konekt Workcare offer a variety of different ergonomic solutions. We understand how diverse working environments can be, which is why we tailor the assessment process to your needs. Our ergonomic assessments can be performed in the office and at home for hybrid working conditions.

1. Working arrangements - Australian Bureau of Statistics