Facility management leaders have spent years focused on improving ergonomics in cleaning and maintenance work to enhance their employees’ well-being. Musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain are some of the common ailments experienced by workers. Implementing recommendations from organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) helps reduce many harmful influences, and stakeholders can protect staff using other measures.
Invest in adjustable workstations
Workers may experience various injuries to their hands, back, and other body areas. Sitting at a desk can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome from too much typing and using tools on production lines can cause trigger finger. Workplaces can combat these adverse effects by installing flexible workstations with:
- Adjustable desks
- Maneuverable monitor arms
- Sloped keyboards
- Feet cushions or mats
- Responsive chairs with lumbar support
Such customization options give workers the freedom to adjust their tools throughout the day, based on how their bodies feel. Staff can partially mitigate an instantaneous onset of stress or pain by repositioning what they need to feel comfortable. Such equipment aligns with OSHA’s definition of ergonomics as a means of adapting the job to the individual.
Implement ergonomic assessments and training
Safety professionals can support employees by requiring training that teaches workers how to protect themselves in physically demanding situations. Even something as simple as maintenance on large scrubbers and vacuums can increase productivity by 20% to 50%, encouraging people-first designs that make tools easier and less cumbersome to use.
Education should include lifting techniques, posture correction, and strategies for improving accessibility. Staff will feel more empowered to be proactive in injury prevention if they have the foundational knowledge to guide their decisions.
Scheduled assessments should complement training efforts. Facility managers should regularly review ergonomic processes to evaluate their ongoing effectiveness. This will also help ensure that people are using ergonomic practices correctly and can identify potential gaps in training. Oversight can also create opportunities for one-on-one training, especially as the workforce develops varying levels of awareness of ergonomic techniques.
Assessments can identify fixtures in the workplace that are ergonomically unsupportive. For example, inventory management in warehouses frequently compromises ergonomics. Drawers with poor fittings force workers to strain their wrists, and tall shelving causes them to crane their necks. Replacing components—such as installing smoother bearings—can make movements more precise and controllable, and adjustable shelving can help prevent strain.
Choose active furniture options
Many industrial workers, contractors, and laborers engage in physical activity as part of their tasks but still sit at desks for most of their shifts. When possible, these desk-based activities should incorporate movement.
Treadmill desks and balancing chairs motivate sedentary people to do passive stability exercises and cardio. Facility workers already often experience other conditions, such as asthma or cardiovascular disease, so every opportunity to build stamina helps.
Exercise-oriented options improve workplace ergonomics in several ways, and it becomes easier to prioritize fitness when management embeds it into company culture. Research also shows treadmill desks can improve mood, focus, and job satisfaction.
Promote microbreaks and stretching
Many workers have intense work schedules, and power through their shifts to complete their assignments on time. Managers should encourage short and frequent breaks to stretch and relax. Incorporate reminders on computers, work phones, or wearable technologies to prompt workers to stand up and move every hour.
Facilities can foster a culture of well-being by creating designated spaces for workers to decompress and stretch. These spaces should be out of the way of work zones where people haul and transport heavy materials. Managers should also provide educational materials in these spaces that teach workers how to stretch and do light exercise. Team members may be more inclined to use these spaces if they know what to do there.
Optimize lighting and acoustics
Ergonomics involves more than individual tools or furniture. Other facility elements enhance or take away from the effectiveness of ergonomic strategies. Bright lights and minimal sound absorption put strain on the eyes and ears. Facility managers can address these issues by changing lighting intensity, bulb type, and color, and installing sound-absorbing panels or ceiling tiles, where appropriate.
Apply ergonomic equipment procurement standards
Leaders and managers must do more than purchase the trendiest ergonomic equipment. Research and comparative analysis are essential. Managers should apply the same high standards for procuring these items as they do for business-critical materials.
Creating ergonomic procurement standards before making the first purchase will set a positive precedent. These standards can specify the requirements and preferences for new equipment, such as chairs, tools, and heavy equipment.
Managers are also responsible for vetting suppliers based on their safety compliance adherence, credentials, and participation in health research. These criteria should inform all ergonomic product procurement, especially for industrial workers, to ensure high-quality products and benefit staff.
Ergonomics helps improve workforces
Injuries among contractors and maintenance professionals are too frequent, but facilities can reduce the number of incident reports and workers’ compensation claims by investing in ergonomics. Doing so can improve the physical and mental well-being of workers, encouraging them to stay with companies longer and commit to professional development.
