There are so many different types of job roles in the UK today that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to physical health and ergonomics in the workplace just does not work.
Simply put, different job roles absorb different physical forces, stresses and strains and these can all impact differently on employees depending on multiple factors, meaning what helps one worker may not help another. Then you throw into the mix how physically different each employee is and you get an infinite number of needs, outcomes and solutions!
There are however ways to break things down and ensure your workforce gets the vital support it requires through a myriad of bespoke workplace and ergonomic assessments.
A workplace assessment looks at not only the equipment used and/or the immediate environment a worker is in, but also looks at the worker as an individual to create tailored and bespoke advice that allows the Occupational Health department to support employees. There are a few different types of workplace assessments available and job roles and the tasks a worker conducts will determine which is the most suitable.
The most common types of workplace assessments we deliver at Sano Physiotherapy Ltd are:
Workstation Assessments (WSA):
Most recipients of workstation assessments are desk-based and this assessment looks at all areas of the employees immediate environment and the equipment and furniture they use to ensure they are suitable for the employee using them. In 90% of cases, a WSA will also include a full Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessment
Non-office-based Workplace Assessments:
This assessment will be suitable for workers who use the same equipment regularly to conduct the same tasks but are not desk-based, i.e. shop floor workers, cashiers, kitchen workers, production line workers etc. As with a WSA, all equipment used is thoroughly assessed for suitability and any adaptations required.
Vehicle Assessments:
Couriers, blue-light services (i.e. paramedics and police officers), bus drivers and any worker who spends most of their day in a vehicle may suffer due to an uncomfortable seating position and unsuitable surrounding equipment. A vehicle assessment reviews the worker’s position in the vehicle and surrounding ergonomics and advises on reasonable adjustments or adaptations to ensure the equipment and set up is correct and tailored to an individual worker’s needs.
Functional Capacity Assessments and Physical Capability Assessments (FCA/PCA):
These assessments are usually provided for complex cases where a worker’s ability to carry out specific tasks is being compromised by a Musculo-skeletal disorder (MSD). The worker and their relevant tasks are assessed and reviewed to establish what support would enable them to continue in their duties. This support could also contain an element of physiotherapy treatment, different or adapted equipment or even a period of amended duties.
Every work or ergonomic assessment we offer at Sano Physiotherapy Ltd is underpinned by an appropriate report to both management and OH/HR detailing our assessment findings, adaptations recommended, commentary around changes to equipment or duties and advice to the worker to facilitate self-management.
