Ergonomics is the science of work. It originated during World War 2 when scientists really didn't consider the participants who they were designing the equipment for. It gradually became clear that systems and products would have to be designed to take account of many human and environmental factors if they are to be used safely and effectively. This awareness of people's requirements resulted in the discipline of ergonomics.
Ergonomics can be any service or product designed to enhance the employees' functional capacity at the workplace resulting in a more proficient, happy and healthy employee. Health & Fitness Solutions LLC is a unique service because of its "hands on" approach towards corporate health promotion.
Why Choose A Health Promotion Program?
There is profound research proving that a health promotion program can have benefits on the employees well being and productivity. The body is designed for locomotion and unfortunately the corporate environment is sedentary and stressful. Sedentary and stressful lifestyles lower the immunity and can cause many musculoskeletal disorders MSD. A decrease in immunity leaves an individual more vulnerable to getting sick, which means more days off and less productivity. Sitting for extended periods can cause musculoskeletal pain, which can also lower one's efficiency. The computer workstation has also been linked with carpel tunnel syndrome and eye fatigue. Stress has also been proven to cause psychosomatic pain, such as headache and tension neck syndrome. Job stress can decrease the ability to concentrate and handle lots of information. This could eventually lead to burnout. A health promotion program might be the right answer for companies who are looking to boost the morale within the firm.
Benefits Of Health & Fitness Solutions LLC - Ergonomics
Health and Fitness Solutions LLC, is an onsite health promotion program that offers employers/employees a stress management tool to enhance productivity. The goal is to allow the employees to Release the stress/strain, Relax the mind and body, and Recharge their sprits. Click on services to learn more about the program.
- Reduction in days off work
- Increased productivity
- Postural Awareness (seated and standing)
- Enhances Flexibility
- Decreased Muscular Fatigue
- Boost Morale
- Educational - Stress management skills via onsite and website
- Functional Workstation
- Cost and Time Efficient (10-20 Min.)
The Research
According to the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOHS) 3/4ths of employee's problems at work are more strongly associated with health complaints than any other life stressor-more so than even financial problems or family problems. The Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS) has reported that 1/3rd of all lost workdays are related to Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's). Health care expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who report high levels of stress (NIOSH). The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work reported that over half of the 550 million working days lost annually in the U.S. from absenteeism, are stress related. A higher incidence of carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been associated with visual display terminals (VDT). The BLS reports among all major disabling injuries and illnesses, the highest median time off work was from CTS (30 days). According to Optometry Today, a leading optometry magazine, half of America's workforce (about 75 million people) suffer from computer vision syndrome (CVS). A study from the G Ital Med Lav Ergon. reports that VDT users have a higher incidence of thoracic hyperkyphosis (rounded middle back) than maintenance workers, as a result from a seated posture.
List Of Common Health Complaints At The Workplace
- Tendonitis
- Low Back Pain
- Shoulder And Neck Pain (tension neck syndrome)
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Degenerative Discs
- Impingement Syndrome
- Computer Vision Syndrome
- Burnout
- Headache
- Chronic Pain
In a study published in The Internet Journal of Pain, Symptom Control & Palliative Care, there is a high incidence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) for people who work with computers or video display terminals (VDT's). The study revealed there was a complaint of 74% and 73% for lower back pain and neck pain. 67 % complained of wrist pain followed by finger pain (65%), shoulder pain (63%), and general body pain (61%). These pains were rated at a moderate level. The people who were more likely to experience MSP were working for 4 years behind a computer and about 6 hours a day. None of the people in the study were aware of ergonomic principles.
Stress can affect the immune system resulting in susceptibility for the common cold and infection. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the study on how the mind affects immunity. Researchers Janice Kiecolt-Glaser and Ronald Gaser found that even ordinary life stressors had an adverse affect on natural killer cells-cells that fight tumors and viral infections. Other immune cells, such as NK cells and T-cells, showed a significant reduction in activity. When the participants in the study were taught relaxation techniques they showed significantly better functioning of the immune system.
A worksite health promotion program can have a positive affect on a company's bottom line return. A study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine, measured the rate of absenteeism of employees participating in a worksite health program compared to those who were not participating. The study showed that employees who participated in the program had less absenteeism, and this translated into a staggering 16:1 return on investment. For every 1 dollar spent on a worksite health promotion program 16 dollars was saved.
Conclusion
Many companies have ergonomic type services within the company. Fidelity Investments has hired "The Wellness Company", to do worksite interventions, such as yoga, meditation, shiatsu massage, and even comedy improvisation. Morrison and Foerster LLC, located in Los Angeles California, hires yoga instructors to teach weekly during-the-workday classes at the office. According to the NIOSH, nearly one half of all large companies offer some sort of stress management training.
There are many reasons why an onsite program is more productive than another form of health promotion. Businesses sometimes have an on-site fitness center. A well run corporate fitness center usually has a mere 25% adherence rate. Companies may pay for a gym membership for their employees, however, most of the employees hardly use the gym. Besides, the gyms don't want the members to adhere because their total number of members far outweighs the recommended 10 sq. ft per member. Most of the promotions for gym memberships are oriented toward getting you in the door rather than program adherence. A hands on approach to health promotion program is the most cost/time efficient and productive.
Employees need time during the workday to release, relax, and recharge (RRR) their mind, body, and spirit. The service will help prevent many of the consequences of stress at the workplace and allow employees to enter a state of "flow". According to Dr. Csikzentmihalyi, of Chicago University, operating in the state of Flow is described as your "area of best performance", where concentration and creativity are pristine and time seems to fly. Your thoughts and actions flow smooth, like a musician playing his favorite instrument. Health & Fitness Solutions LLC, is a great benefit to employees and employers. To learn more about the service click on services.
Resources
The American Stress Institute
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
The National Institute of Mental Health
The Bureau of Labor Statistics
Gigante MR (2005). Could VDT use induce thoracic kyphosis? Preliminary data. G Ital Med Lav Ergon 27(1):119-23.
Computer Times (2004). Keeping you and your computer healthy. Computer times.com.
Medical News Today (2005). Workplace Health Promotion Shows 16:1 Return on Investment. Medicalnewstoday.com.
Adedoyin R (2005). Muscular Pain Associated With The Use of Computer Systems In Nigeria. The Internet Journal of Pain, Symptom, Control and Palliative Care ISSN: 1528-8277.
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