Health Upgraders

Ergonomic solutions at the workplace can not only address back problems of affected employees but also protect the health of others and boost productivity. This view found a place at this year’s National Back Exchange Conference in Leicester, where methods to reduce the rates of back disorders across workplaces in the UK were discussed.

Speaking at the conference, Professor Sayeed Khan, a board member of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and a medical adviser for EEF, made some valuable suggestions. Emphasising on the necessity of ergonomically sound practices at work, he pointed out that implementing such solutions at workplaces would decrease the chances of employees developing back-related disorders. In a presentation titled “Getting work to work for you”, he urged employers to re-evaluate the conditions of work.

Professor Khan said that showing concern for employee health by making the workplace ergonomically safe enhances employee loyalty and job satisfaction and thus results in increased productivity. He added that ergonomics can not only help employees with existing back problems find comfort at work, but also aid in the fast recovery of employees returning to work after an injury.

Khan is of the opinion that workers suffering from back related problems should stay active and return to their work as soon as possible.

Professor Khan revealed that nearly 4 million days in a year are wasted due to back problems, and urged both the managers and the sufferers to take a proactive interest in making the workplace ergonomically safe.

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