NMSO Ergonomic Assessments

When we conduct an assessment at any Government of Canada agency, we follow a specific process. We start by reviewing existing data from sources such as workplace health & safety incident reports, insurance company reports, joint health and safety committee meeting minutes and worker hazard reports to name a few.

Then we take a look at the facilities to identify any ergonomic hazards in the office, noting every detail we find. We will also consult with employees in the office to get direct feedback on their workspaces to see if there are any accommodations that are needed.

We then assess all of the data we gather and organize it in a report based on the level of risk. We will also provide both short-term and long-term opportunities to mitigate the risks, and recommendations for an action plan to implement these changes.

Yes. Under the Canada Labour Code, Part II, Section 125(1):

• (t) Employers are required to ensure that the workplace, workspaces and procedures meet prescribed ergonomic standards.
• (u) In addition, employers are also responsible to ensure that machinery, equipment and tools used by workers in the course of their employment meet prescribed health, safety and ergonomic standards.

There are five primary types of ergonomic hazards in an office that must be addressed:

• Repetition: Movements or tasks that are carried out repeatedly.
• Awkward Postures: Body postures that are not a neutral position, such as twisting the neck to view a monitor, bent wrists while using a keyboard or mouse, or poor posture while seated.
• Static Forces: Keeping a body position for an extended period of time, such as prolonged sitting, or viewing a monitor with a bent neck.
• Extreme Temperatures: Spending a prolonged period of time in an office that is too hot or too cold can be hazardous to employee health.
• Lighting: Lighting that is too dim can strain the eyes of employees who have to look at a computer screen for prolonged periods of time.

Poor ergonomics can lead to many different health issues such as muscle strains, muscle imbalances, fatigue, joint injuries and more. These injuries can prove costly for any organization due to the productivity lost from an injured employee taking time off to recover.

The four most common types of ergonomic injuries are:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Pain & weakness in the hand and wrist.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation or irritation of a tendon.
• Lower Back Injuries.
• Tennis Elbow.

These injuries are often caused by repeated motions in positions that are not natural. These motions place stress on the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons in the area which will lead to these conditions over time.