ACC Distribution expert advise: how to create an ergonomic workplace

The pace and demands of today’s working culture are increasingly affecting the health and well-being of employees. Long working hours, constant stress and the difficulty of stepping away from work tasks are becoming a daily routine for many people. According to a study conducted by “Deloitte”, 80% of employees face increasing workloads and associated stress, and 74% find it difficult to detach themselves from their work, even in their free time, which affects their physical, emotional and social well-being. Given these challenges, it is essential to ensure the well-being of employees in the work environment, not only by monitoring and managing workloads and the emotional climate, but also by ensuring that the physical workplace complies with ergonomic standards that help to minimize adverse health effects. Explains Aistė Drozdovė, Brand Development Manager at ACC Distribution, on how to set up a workplace that meets ergonomic standards and how much it can cost.

Benefits of workplace ergonomics for the employer and employee

A well-designed workplace not only helps to keep employees healthy, but also improves the quality and efficiency of their work. An ergonomic environment reduces physical discomfort and stress levels, making employees feel happier, more motivated and more productive. “A properly chosen ergonomic environment not only increases employee productivity, but also creates a pleasant place to work to which employees want to return,” notes A. Drozdovė.

A well designed workplace not only helps prevent health problems such as back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome or eye fatigue, but can also be one of the factors that encourage employees to return to the office. Nowadays, businesses increasingly explore ways to encourage employees to return to the office, and a comfortable, ergonomic working environment is becoming one of the key factors that make employees feel better and choose to work in the office rather than remotely.

Creating an ergonomic workplace: the four most important areas and how to protect them

Prolonged sitting at a computer can lead to a variety of health problems, especially in four key areas of the body: the back, wrists, neck and legs. An inadequately designed workplace can lead to long-term pain and health problems such as curvature of the spine, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck strain, and circulatory problems due to inactivity.

The back

Prolonged sitting in an improper position can cause back pain, especially in the lumbar region. Sitting on a chair without proper support not only strains the muscles but can also cause serious circulatory problems. Over time, strain on the back muscles can lead to spinal misalignment. To relieve tension in the back, it is recommended to take regular breaks and perform simple stretching exercises to help relieve back tension. It is also important to choose an ergonomic chair with adjustable back support.

“Even simple measures such as the use of a suitable back support can significantly reduce back discomfort,” says Aistė Drozdovė. “If a chair does not provide sufficient support, additional supports can be used, such as “Fellowes’” “Professional Series Ultimate Back Support”, which provides stability and support for the back throughout the working day. This product also has Microban protection, which helps to combat the build-up of harmful bacteria.” further adds Aistė.

Aistė Drozdovė, Brand Development Manager at ACC Distribution

 

The wrists

Long periods of work using a computer keyboard and mouse often cause wrist strain, which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome – pain, numbness and discomfort in the arms. To reduce wrist strain, it is recommended to do regular arm twisting and stretching exercises to help ease the muscles and reduce tension in the wrists. It is also important to pay attention to the ergonomics of the equipment used, such as keyboards and mice, and to ensure that they do not put too much strain on the wrist, which should be in a neutral position while working. A. Drozdovė notes that if the equipment available is not ergonomic, but cannot be replaced, a special wrist support can be useful. A. Drozdovė notes that if the equipment available is not ergonomic, but cannot be replaced, a special wrist support can be useful. “The “Fellowes” brand offers the “Black Crystals Gel Wrist Support”, which applies pressure to the wrists and ensures that they are in the correct position, reducing the risk of discomfort. This way, you can still get the comfort you need for your wrists during long periods of computer work without having to change your existing equipment.”

The neck

A.Drozdovė points out that neck and shoulder pain is probably the most common problem faced by employees working at computerized workplaces. An incorrectly positioned computer screen often causes neck strain as workers are forced to crane or raise their heads to see the screen properly. Prolonged holding of such a position can cause serious neck and shoulder issues. To avoid this problem, it is important to ensure that the monitor is at eye level. This can be achieved with adjustable monitor stands or brackets. For example, the “Fellowes Breyta™ Monitor Riser” allows adjustment of the height of the monitor to maintain the correct viewing angle, which reduces neck strain and ensures a more comfortable working experience.

The legs and insufficient movement

Prolonged sitting without adequate leg support and insufficient movement during work can lead to circulatory problems, leg fatigue and even blood clots. Tension and inactivity of the leg muscles can also lead to long-term fatigue and discomfort. To avoid this, it is recommended to regularly change body position, move around and use ergonomic footrests that help to keep the legs in the correct position and ensure better blood circulation. The “The Fellowes Breyta™ Foot Support” is one of the solutions that offers three levels of height adjustment to ensure proper posture and comfort throughout the working day.

Cost of installing an ergonomic workplace and other relevant factors

“It is often assumed that an ergonomic workplace is expensive, but it is possible to start with simple and affordable measures,” tells Aistė Drozdovė, “mouse pads with additional wrist support can cost up to EUR 10, while high-quality back and leg supports can be bought for EUR 40-50.” Meanwhile, adjustable desks, with prices ranging from EUR 300-400, are the largest, but long-term and most beneficial investment, allowing not only the height of the desk to be adjusted according to the individual’s physical characteristics, but also the ability to work standing up. It is recommended to work standing for approximately 15-30 minutes each hour, i.e, 30-45 minutes sitting and the remainder standing up.

Other factors such as adequate ventilation and lighting are also crucial to the quality of the workplace. Workplace lighting should be sufficiently even and pleasant to the eye, ideally combining natural daylight with adjustable general lighting of the premises and the workspace. Lighting should be in the neutral or cool white light spectrum (4000-5000 K), ensuring that light is directed in such a way that it does not cause eye fatigue and does not shine directly into the eyes.

Innovation and quality of “Fellowes” products

The “Fellowes” brand is known worldwide for its high quality and innovative products that aim to improve the quality and comfort in the workplace. The Company’s philosophy is based on a human-centred design approach, where every product is designed with the comfort and well-being of employees in mind. “Fellowes” is constantly expanding the ways in which ergonomic solutions can become an integral part of everyday work to ensure a healthier and more efficient working environment.

One of the Company’s unique features is its integrated “Microban®” technology, which protects products against the build-up of harmful bacteria. This technology provides lasting protection for the lifetime of the product, so office supplies such as mouse pads, keyboard rests and other products stay clean and durable.