WHAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR AN OFFICE WORKER?

Frequent changes in posture including regular breaks from sitting.

Office furniture:

  • Adjustable and supportive chair
  • Preferably an adjustable desk/workstation or a fixed height desk/workstation with the availability of a height adjustable footrest
  • Appropriate, well maintained equipment suitable for the tasks undertaken. This may require expert advice.
  • Sufficient work surface to carry out their tasks
  • Sufficient area to both enter and move about their work area easily and allow frequent changes in posture
  • Storage for their personal items and work requirements
  • An environment that is at a satisfactory temperature for
    the work, appropriately lit, and has reasonable air quality.

RISKS FOR AN OFFICE WORKER

  • POOR POSTURE - hands, arms, neck, shoulders,
    spine - can lead to back pain, circulation problems
    and headaches
  • DURATION AND VARIETY OF TASKS - occupational
    overuse syndrome and musculoskeletal injury
  • GLARE AND LIGHTING - eye strain and headaches
  • WORKING ENVIRONMENT - noise, air quality
    and temperature.
 

EMPLOYERS DUTY OF CARE

Employers in Australia have a general duty of care to their employees to provide a safe and healthy work place. In the office work environment the general duty of
care includes:

  • That appropriate equipment and environment are provided
  • That reasonable time is allocated for tasks
  • Ensuring employees know how to use and adjust the equipment (including their desks, chairs and computers) e.g. providing instruction and/or training
  • Supervision to ensure the equipment is being used
  • Ensuring the system of work is appropriate and not detrimental to the employee’s health, safety or welfare.
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