The Importance of Housekeeping

Safety Quiz for Office Workers

Although office workers face few life-threatening workplace hazards on the job, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has found that computer workers are subject to "repetitive exertions, awkward postures, glare and poor illumination." Over time, these conditions can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and eyestrain.    

Good equipment and thoughtful workstation design can do a lot to prevent work-related injury and discomfort, and may make your employees more productive. The following quiz can help employees who use computers spot potential problems in their workstation. Remember, employees come in all sizes; they should be able to tailor their workstations to their specific needs.   

1.I have to look up to see my computer screen when seated. Yes/No

2.I can read text on my screen without leaning my head, neck or trunk backward or forward. Yes/No

3.I see glare on my computer screen. Yes/No

  1. My mouse or trackball fits my hand well and is easy to operate. Yes/No
  2. I need to stretch my arms to reach my keyboard and/or input device (mouse or trackball). Yes/No
  3. My elbows are bent, forearms parallel to the floor, when I type or use the mouse. Yes/No
  4. My wrists rest on a rounded, padded wrist rest OR I can type comfortably, keeping my wrists straight, without a wrist rest. Yes/No
  5. Any documents I need to look at while typing are resting flat on my desk. Yes/No/not applicable
  6. 9. I use a headset when I need to use the telephone and computer at the same time. Yes/No/not applicable
  7. I can sit close to the keyboard, with feet flat on the floor, while working at my computer. Yes/No

If your employees answered "yes" or "not applicable" to Questions 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10, and "no or "not applicable" to Questions 1, 3, 5 and 8, congratulations! You have a very ergonomics-friendly workplace and your office workers will likely experience fewer problems with work-related musculoskeletal disorders or eyestrain.
Any "no" answers on Questions 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 or 10 indicate problems with the way an employee's workstation is arranged. Most of these problems require only minor adjustments in the positioning of equipment. "Yes" answers on Question 3 (glare on the computer screen) can be fixed by controlling lighting in the room, by upgrading monitors or installing glare-resistant screens, or by providing employees who work at computers with glare-resistant eyeglasses—regardless of whether they need glasses for vision correction.

Improving ergonomics may help you reduce MSDs and eyestrain among office workers. We can analyze your workers' compensation claims history to help you pinpoint any problem areas. For more suggestions on improving workplace safety, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program department of EPIC (formerly The Leavitt Group) at (877) 860-7378 or, email us @ ProPest@epicbrokers.com.