UK & US Approaches to Office Ergonomics
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This document discusses differences between UK and US approaches to office ergonomics and implications for global companies. In the UK, regulations require employers to perform workstation assessments and reduce risks like poor lighting or chair adjustability. In contrast, the US focuses more on workers' compensation claims. Training programs are more common in the UK to promote ergonomic practices as an investment rather than just a cost. Looking ahead, issues like bring-your-own-device policies, open floor plans, remote working, and engaging younger employees will continue shaping ergonomic strategies.
UK & US Approaches to Office Ergonomics
- 1. UK & US Approaches to Office Ergonomics Implications for Global Companies Guy Osmond OF11
- 3. Guy Osmond Managing Director A Personal View ? Ergonomics Landscape ? Regulation vs. Workers Comp ? Similarities and differences ? More about the UK/Europe C Training C Corporate Culture ? The future ? Free tools
- 4. Guy Osmond Managing Director ? Who? ? What? ? Why?
- 5. Who? ? Dropped out of university in my 2nd year ? In business since 1975 ? Wine bar, Property development, Childrens clothes shop, Slot machines, Satellite TV ? In Workplace Ergonomics since 1992 ? Mensa member since 1996 ? Married since 1982 with one son
- 6. Who?
- 7. What? The UKs most knowledgeable supplier of innovative products and services to improve workplace wellbeing and productivity
- 8. Why? Its about the outcome not the sale
- 10. Thanks to ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Peter Budnick Michael Craggs James Golden Alan Hedge Ira Janowitz Rani Lueder Eileen Vollowitz
- 11. UK & US Approaches to Office Ergonomics Implications for Global Companies
- 12. So who are you??? ? ? ? ? ? From the US? From Canada? From Europe? From the rest of the world? More than 5 years in workplace ergonomics?
- 13. UK & Europe
- 14. Ergonomics Landscape ? Regulation ? Keyboard Trays Population 313m Population 739m
- 15. Regulation ? Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 ? Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 as amended by the Health & Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 bit.ly/dse-regs
- 16. Regulation Regulation 2: Analysis of workstations to assess and reduce risks (1) Every employer shall perform a suitable and sufficient analysis of those (DSE) workstations for the purpose of assessing the health and safety risks to which those persons are exposed in consequence of that use. (3) The employer shall reduce the risks identified in consequence of an assessment to the lowest extent reasonably practicable.
- 17. Regulation ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Adequate lighting Adequate contrast, no glare or distracting reflections Distracting noise minimised Leg room and clearances to allow postural changes Window covering if needed to minimise glare Software: appropriate to task, adapted to user, providing feedback on system status, no undisclosed monitoring Screen: stable image, adjustable, readable, glare/reflection-free Keyboard: usable, adjustable, detachable, legible Work surface: with space for flexible arrangement of equipment and documents; glare-free Chair: stable and adjustable Footrest if user needs one
- 18. Regulation ? Health and Safety Executive
- 19. Workers Comp ? No equivalent EU process ? UK litigation exists but only as the last (not first) resort ? Individual outcomes in the U.S. much more product focussed
- 20. EU Individual Assessment ? ? ? ? Standard workstation assessment Escalation trigger Enhanced assessment Recommendations C Training C Job changes C Products
- 21. Psycho-social issues ? Stress not compensable in the US ? Stress-related illness now a major issue in the UK C Job security C Smart Working C Workload
- 22. Productivity >>> Presenteeism What you are seeing if you only measure absenteeism Unmeasured lost productivity Presenteeism cost = 1.5 to 3 x cost of absenteeism What is actually happening http://bit.ly/PresExplained Time >>>
- 23. Products ? Asking the right questions ? It must be ergonomic: it says so on the box! ? Which manufacturers brochures did you learn ergonomics from? ? WoW Factor Test ? Awesomeness Test www.prankpack.com
- 24. Products
- 26. Cost vs. Investment Corporate Culture C Cost CATNAP R
- 27. Corporate Culture Doing it because they must C Cost CATNAP Doing it because they know its right R ROI
- 28. Corporate Culture ? Open plan (collaborative working) C Bench desking C Breakout C touchdown C meeting rooms - pods C Acoustics ? Smart/Agile/Flexible/Mobile Working C Home working, hot desks bit.ly/SWhandbook
- 29. Corporate Culture ? Wellbeing C Stress not compensable C Resilience to support change management ? Engagement C C C C C C Ergonomists Health & Safety Occupational Health HR Wellness/Wellbeing Diversity & Inclusion Image: advisorone.com
- 30. The Future ? BYOD - Smartphones and tablets C Wearable technology/internet of things
- 31. The Future ? Millennials C Always connected bit.ly/boom-mill
- 32. The Future ? Smart Chair C Predicting sitting behaviour with psychometrics?