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Archive for the ‘Workplace Ergonomics Legislation’ Category
Ergonomic furniture and accessories are commonly thought of as products that help existing pain. This is a very important factor. However, many people are unaware of preventive medicine through ergonomics. Ergonomic furniture and equipment can actually actively prevent back, neck and other problems from happening. Not only do employees have a more comfortable work environment, they can avoid having bothersome problems further down the road. No one should ever underestimate the importance of ergonomic products. Regular use of these products in the workplace will result in employees being in better health overall.
One reason why ergonomic chairs are so popular is because they provide a comfortable place to sit, even for long periods of time. Eliminating pain and discomfort is a major part of preventive medicine through ergonomics. Since it’s not practical for employees in many offices to get up and stretch a lot, having a comfortable chair helps make things easier. There are other accessories that can be used to eliminate discomfort while sitting. These include footrests that improve blood circulation and adjustable chair arms. Both of these products are very useful for preventing problems with pain or stiffness.
Preventive medicine through ergonomics also addresses the issue of people who may develop hand or wrist problems while typing. People who have to do a lot of typing commonly end up with wrist pain. Keyboard trays that can be adjusted to a more comfortable position are very helpful for regular typists. The keyboards themselves can also be designed to be more flexible for people who need to use different positions while typing. There are also mice or other pointing devices that are designed ergonomically. If a person is able to position his or her hands more conveniently, this will help prevent a lot of needless strain.
New regulations protecting workers from the dangers of hazardous sources of artificial light come into force today.
The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations meets a European Union Directive to ensure that standards are set and harmonised across Europe to protect workers from harm arising from exposure to hazardous sources of artificial light.
Some sources of artificial light, particularly UV radiation and light from lasers can harm the eyes and skin of workers and must be properly managed.
A new safety harness designed to accommodate the ‘female form’ has been unveiled by the International Powered Access Federation.
The trade body organised a competition to design a safety harness which would be more comfortable and suitable for women.
Tractel’s Ladytrac harness won the competition, and another entry submitted by ZT Safety Systems has been highly commended.
Improving the health of workers though better workplace safety and support services should be a key goal of a new Government, according to research by think tank the Institute of Employment Studies.
“Research has demonstrated a clear and positive relationship in both directions between health and work: being at work can make people healthy, while healthy workers are more productive,” said the IES.
“People in employment lead healthier and wealthier lives than those who feel unable to work. There are wider benefits too, as the economy gains from lower dependency on incapacity benefits and health services, and from higher productivity.”
A woman has been awarded £125,000 compensation following a House of Lords ruling after her employer made changes to the workplace which could have damaged her voice.
Elizabeth Boyle, who suffers from a rare vocal condition, agreed the pay out with her former employer, SCA Packaging, reports the BBC.
She brought the case after the company changed her working environment which would have threatened her voice.
More than seven in ten HR professionals in the UK (73%) believe there is too much employment law, according to new research by law firm Dickinson Dees.
And over a third (35%) thought a new Government needed to restore the balance of employment law in favour of the employer.
“It is a common misconception that more laws mean greater protection,” said James Wilders, a partner in the Employment team at Dickinson Dees. “Legislation has become increasingly complicated and ambiguous for employers. There comes a point when the added benefit is questionable and must be outweighed by the burden which it places on business.
Employers may not be aware of workplace health and safety regulations when employees work from home, a leading safety consultant has warned.
Cardinus Risk Management said employers need to be aware that employees who work from home fall under the same health and safety regulations as those who work in the office.
The number of people working from home has almost trebled from 921,000 and employers have a duty of care towards those members of staff.
Enforcement of health and safety in the workplace could be weakened after the election, with none of the major parties making any positive commitment to address the issue, according to the Hazards Campaign.
The health and safety campaigning group expressed particular concern at the Tory commitment to reduce regulations.
Mick Holder of the Hazards Campaign said: “While there isn’t anything positive for workplace health and safety activists in either the Labour or Tory manifesto’s there is the worrying commitment to reduce regulation in the Tory one. Given the Tory’s persistent and corrupt attacks on health and safety laws, including those in recent weeks, this must be an issue for those considering which way to vote in the forthcoming election.
The new fit note system comes into effect today (6 April). For employers, among many implications, there may be more emphasis on workplace ergonomics when employees are able to return to work, but can only carry out selected tasks, or require some adaptations to their workplace.
The following questions and answers address the key changes the fit note system will bring into force.