Guide on Office Ergonomics: How to Protect Employees from Workplace Injuries

04-11-2025

Sitting jobs are an alarming concern in today's corporate sector. Employees often spend 7 to 8 hours of their day sitting at desks, typing on computers and meeting deadlines. This is the new work culture which leads to discomfort, back pain, neck pain, joint stiffness, sore wrists and shoulders. You may not notice the side effects immediately, but they will become apparent in the long run, especially if you work in a prolonged sitting setup. To combat that issue, many entrepreneurs and businesses in Australia have introduced office ergonomics. It is the science of designing the workplace to ensure employees' safety and good health. It can help prevent day to day injuries that may rise up due to prolonged sitting and promote overall well being. Here is a complete guide on office ergonomics to help make an informed decision for you as well as your team's health.

What Does Office Ergonomics Mean?

It primarily focuses on creating a safe and secure work environment that supports comfort, efficiency, safety, and overall wellbeing for employees. When employees work in inappropriate workspaces, they are more vulnerable to musculoskeletal disorders, back and eye pain, strain injuries and disorders. These issues can impact overall productivity and lead to serious health concerns. Fortunately, these injuries can be preventive via simple office ergonomic changes and employee awareness.

Choosing a Chair that Supports Your Spine

This is the bare minimum you can do to maintain correct posture while working. Make sure you adjust the height of the chair properly so that your feet can easily rest on the floor while you are busy typing your article or attending a virtual meeting. Using a footrest can also do wonders. If the chair has armrests, ensure you position them correctly to sit with your arms properly, with your elbows close to your body and your shoulders relaxed.

Monitor Positioning is Also Important

Ensure the computer screen is positioned at arm's length, with the top of the monitor below your eye level. This can help prevent neck and back strain while boosting an upright posture. You can also search for companies that focus on improving health and safety at workplaces in Australia to guide you throughout your journey.

Align Your Keyboard and Mouse Placement

It is vital to keep the keyboard and mouse as close as possible to avoid overreaching. You should never put extra efforts or search for the mouse while typing something important. Wrists should remain straight without much movement, and elbows close to the body.

Lighting and Screen Setup

It is vital to provide adequate lighting to reduce glare and eye strain. You can encourage employees to use blinds or anti glare screens if natural light reflects on monitors. Also, adjust brightness and contrast settings for comfort.

Wrapping Up

These are some of the most crucial aspects that can help you implement office ergonomics effectively to prevent employee injuries due to wrong posture. You can also hire experts to improve health and safety at the workplace in Australia to keep your team healthy, which can help deliver maximum productivity for higher growth.