This month we thought we would answer some of our most frequently asked questions.
How would I know if I need a workplace assessment?
Do you suffer from aches and pains when you are sat at your workstation?
Do you feel like your symptoms get worse as the day and week progresses and symptoms ease on your days off?
Do you fidget in your chair to try and find a comfortable position?
Does looking at a screen trigger headaches or migraines?
Do you have a diagnosed condition such as sciatica, Ehlers Danlos, Hypermobility, Chronic pain, Crohn’s, Endometriosis, Cerebral Palsy, MS, RSI, Tennis Elbow to name but a few?
If the answer to any of these questions is ‘Yes’ then a workplace assessment by a specialist assessor would certainly be beneficial.
What is involved in a workplace assessment?
Assessments can be done either virtually, using a video application such as Teams or Zoom or face to face.
The assessor will discuss with you, your concerns, any symptoms you are experiencing and where appropriate ask about your medical background. You will then be observed at your workstation.
If there are any adjustments that can be made at the time, the assessor will do this. For example, they made need to raise your monitors, or adjust your chair.
After the assessment, the assessor will write a report detailing any adjustments made at assessment and if required recommend specialist equipment to help you in the workplace.
There is no obligation to purchase any equipment from us, and you can be assured any recommendations made are done so, independently, as we are not affiliated with any particular brand or manufacturer.
What are my obligations as an employer with regards to my staff, in terms of their working environment?
All employers regardless of the working environment in which their employees work, have a responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees. As an employer, you have a duty to assess any risks in the workplace and make your employees aware of them. For more details on the basics of what employers must do to make their business comply with health and safety law checkout the Government’s HSE website.
If you have employees who use DSE (Display Screen Equipment), such as PC’s, laptops, tablets or smartphones, for more than an hour, at one time, you have a responsibility to protect them from the associated health risks. The following is taken from the HSE: In law, employers must:
- do a DSE workstation assessment
- reduce risks, including making sure workers take breaks from DSE work or do something different
- provide an eye test if a worker asks for one
- provide training and information for workers
Incorrect use of DSE or poorly designed workstations or work environments can lead to pain in the neck, shoulders, backs, arms, wrists and hands as well as fatigue and eye strain. The causes may not always be obvious.
The law applies if users are, for example:
- at a fixed workstation
- mobile workers
- home workers
- hot-desking (workers should carry out a basic risk assessment if they change desks regularly)
Many companies will do their own, basic in-house DSE assessments and will refer to companies such as Access 2 Comfort when a colleague requires more specialist equipment, and or a specific condition that needs to be addressed.
If you do not have an in-house DSE assessment process in place, Access 2 Comfort can arrange either full or half days on-site, carrying out these assessments. Where it is indicated, we will note any employees whom require a more in-depth assessment.
What are the benefits to me as an employer if I offer employees workstation assessments?
Firstly, as mentioned above you have a responsibility to your employees to at least undertake a risk assessment and for DSE users a DSE assessment. There is no obligation to use a specialist company for this.
If you choose to use Access 2 Comfort to perform either your basic DSE assessments for all staff, or just to offer external workplace assessments for those employees who report issues at their workstation, or have high rates of sickness absence, you are showing your staff that they are valued and appreciated. In addition, they will be happier and healthier, which in turn means less sickness absence and increased productivity.
Staff who feel valued perform better and are more productive.
A survey from the American Psychological Association found that feeling valued at work was linked to better physical and mental health, as well as higher levels of engagement, satisfaction and motivation. All the things that lead to a healthy and productive relationship between employer and employee.
Will you always recommend new equipment?
Unequivocally the answer to this is ‘No’. We will only recommend equipment where it is deemed necessary. If we can utilise the equipment you already have then we will do so. We do not have our own brand of ergonomic products to sell, so you can be reassured that our intention is not to sell you equipment needlessly.
If equipment is recommended then there is no obligation to buy this through us, however, we can source, deliver and install equipment if you request us to.
How can equipment provision make a difference?
Sometimes the simplest of changes can make a big difference. Ergonomic equipment is a big industry, with huge amounts of time and money put into developing items that can provide solutions to common musculoskeletal ailments. For example, if your job entails high volumes of mouse use and you are noticing the effects on your hand and wrist, swapping to a different style of mouse, may be the simple answer. The difficulty can be knowing from the vast array of choices out there which is the best option for you, and this is where we at Access 2 Comfort come in. Our assessors have a great deal of knowledge and experience of the products on the market and can make recommendations based on your needs and budget.
One of my employees is pregnant. Should I provide a workplace assessment for them?
When an employee has informed you in writing that they are a new or expectant mother, you should immediately check your existing workplace risk assessment for any known risks that could affect them. In doing this you must take account of any medical recommendations provided by their GP or midwife.
If you identify any risk factors you may wish to provide the employee with an external workplace assessment in order to consider solutions and ensure as the pregnancy progresses, they continue to be able to work safely and effectively.
I spend most of my time on the road. Can I have an assessment?
Yes, you can. Our assessors are trained to provide vehicle assessments for those of you whose vehicle is your office. When we drive our bodies are subject to many different forces including acceleration, deceleration and most notably vibration. In addition, as our feet are used to control the foot pedals, our bodies are not provided with the stable base of support you would normally have when sitting. These factors in conjunction with the design of some vehicle seating can cause back, neck, shoulder and limb problems for many people.
Your assessment we will be conducted in your vehicle. Our assessor will observe you seated in your vehicle and, if required whilst you are driving. We will make any adjustments we can, at the time of the assessment, in order to improve your immediate comfort.
What is a Fit to Work assessment?
A fit to work assessment is usually undertaken when an employee has been absent from work for a significant period, perhaps due to a serious or long-term medical condition, or if a new starter has disclosed a medical condition, that the employer is concerned may affect their ability to carry out their job safely.
Our assessors will consider the tasks expected of the role, and where applicable observe the employee undertaking these tasks to ensure they can be done safely. Where risks are identified, they will suggest, where they can, solutions. In some cases, it may be deemed inappropriate for an employee to return to, or undertake the role in which they are employed.
I am setting up a new office can you advise me on what equipment I should purchase?
Yes, big or small we can help with this.
If you are a company relocating or setting up new offices and are looking for new office furniture and equipment we can advise and implement this, if so required. Similarly, if you are an individual setting up a new home office, we can advise on suitable equipment for your individual needs.
If you think our expertise can help you in any way or you have any other questions, then please get in touch and we will be happy to help.