Is implementing proper equipment maintenance and proper ergonomics in a workplace important?

Proper equipment maintenance is crucial in giving out to employees the safe environment they duly need. Part of that is regularly checking the equipment and machines being used every day.

Regularly maintaining equipment and tools can help to:
Check if the equipment is working properly
Regularly maintain the equipment’s productivity and efficiency
Equipment life extension
Fulfill legal requirements:
Improving the equipment’s safety
Doing so, would not just help contribute to a safe working environment but will also help improve equipment’s efficiency and life span.
Cleaning, lubricating, adjusting, and inspecting equipment are just some of the many tasks that can be included in proper equipment maintenance. Employers must establish a maintenance schedule and provide employees with training on how to properly operate and maintain equipment. To demonstrate if employees are following the mandated maintenance schedule, employers should also check the equipment before using it and keep records of the maintenance schedule.

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers are also responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees thus ensuring that there is proper ergonomics in their offices.

Here are some of the key benefits of proper ergonomics in the workplace:
Reducing the risk of injury
Improving productivity
Improving employee morale
Meeting regulatory requirements
Reducing costs
OSHA explains that the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time are Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSDs. MSDs affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons. Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures, and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposure to these can cause personal injuries.

Proper ergonomics in the workplace can include a variety of measures such as:
Proper equipment design and layout
Providing adjustable workstations and chairs
Training employees on proper posture and lifting techniques
Encouraging employees to take breaks and stretch
Implementing policies to limit prolonged or repetitive motions
Conducting regular ergonomic assessments to identify and address potential hazards.

More so, employers are encouraged to implement proper ergonomics as it can reduce the risk of MSDs that usually cause workplace injuries.
If you’ve been injured in your workplace, call us at 1-833-DARFOOR and we are always at your legal service.