Sunday, February 28, 1993 - North Shore News - 34

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ork stations vital to joo quabty North Van physiotherapist assesses ways to improve office environments

WHEN MOST people arrive at their office each morning, they likely grab a cup of coffee and sit down at their desk

and begin working, many on computers.

All of their attention is focused on the work they are doing and not on how they are doing it.

But North Vancouver resident Joan Hunting, who runs a business called The Ergonomic Office, says by not paying atten- tion to how the job is done, peo- ple may be creating physical prob- Jems that will likely develop years later.

A physiotherapist, Hunting assesses individual work stations and then prepares a report with recommendations for manage- ment.

She also gives office workshops on how to improve working areas.

Hunting says more and more businesses are becoming aware of the money and time lost when employees are physically uncom- fortable at their desks.

Problems associated with com- puterized offices, says Hunting, include: ° @ back pain;

@ neck and shoulder pain; @ repetitive strain injuries; @ leg pain and sweliing;

@ general fatigue;

© stress. .

She says they decrease produc- tivity, efficiency and job satisfac- tion and increase absenteeism, Workers Compensation Board

thousand words for

By Surj Rattan News Reporter

(WCB) claims, staff turnover and costs.

“If people are uncomfortable, they will not do their jobs proper- ly. Employers are not seeing the money it is costing them.

“Just moving things around could make a big difference,’’ says Hunting.

She adds that chairs are the key elements in a proper work station.

“If you have a good chair, you can move around.”"

Important considerations whea selecting a chair include:

@ seat height and adjustability; @ back support;

@ lumbar support;

@ depth of the seat pan;

@ waterfall seat pan;

@ lino versus carpet caster;

© ease of use of controls.

Important considerations for work stations include working height, legroom and_ surface organizations.

Hunting says most people do not bother to set up their work stations to fit them because “that's the way it’s always been.”

See Work page 36

PHYSIOTHERAPIST JOAN Hunting instructs News reporter Surj Rattan on the proper positioning of his chair and computer keyboard placement. Hunting says people who work with computers can

suffer a variety of physical problems.

Cindy Goodman News Photographer

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