🧍 Ergonomics

Design Work Better. Move Smarter. Work Safer.

The Ergonomics Course is designed to help employees, supervisors, safety professionals, engineers, managers, and workplace teams understand how work activities, equipment, posture, movement, and the work environment can affect people.

Participants learn how to identify ergonomic hazards, recognise poor working postures, understand manual-handling risks, and apply practical improvements to workstations and tasks. Through demonstrations, workplace examples, practical exercises, and interactive discussions, the course helps participants reduce unnecessary physical strain and create healthier, safer, and more productive working environments.

🧍 What You’ll Learn

🔍 Ergonomic Hazard Identification

Learn how to recognise ergonomic risks associated with posture, force, repetition, vibration, and workplace design.

🪑 Workplace Ergonomics

Understand how workstation layout, seating, desk height, monitor position, and equipment placement can influence comfort and work performance.

🏋️ Manual Handling

Learn safer principles for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and moving materials.

🧍 Posture Awareness

Understand how prolonged or awkward postures can increase physical strain.

🔄 Repetitive Work

Recognise the risks associated with repetitive movements and prolonged tasks.

🛠️ Practical Improvements

Learn how simple changes to equipment, work methods, and task design can reduce ergonomic risk.

🛡️ Key Training Areas

Participants are introduced to:

• 🧍 Ergonomics fundamentals

• 🔍 Ergonomic hazard identification

• 🪑 Workstation ergonomics

• 💻 Computer / office ergonomics

• 🏭 Industrial ergonomics

• 🏋️ Manual material handling

• 🤲 Repetitive movements

• 🧍 Neutral posture

• ⚠️ Awkward posture

• 💪 Excessive force

• 🔄 Repetitive tasks

• 📦 Lifting and carrying

• 🛒 Pushing and pulling

• 📳 Vibration awareness

• 🪑 Seating and workstation setup

• 🖥️ Monitor and screen positioning

• ⌨️ Keyboard and mouse positioning

• 🧰 Tool and equipment design

• ⏱️ Work-rest considerations

• 📊 Ergonomic risk assessment

• 🛠️ Workplace improvement

• 👥 Employee participation

🔍 The Ergonomic Approach

Observe → Assess → Improve → Adapt → Review

Participants learn a practical approach to managing ergonomic risks:

01 — OBSERVE
Look at how the task is actually being performed.

02 — IDENTIFY
Recognise posture, force, repetition, movement, and workstation-related hazards.

03 — ASSESS
Determine which factors may contribute to physical strain.

04 — IMPROVE
Introduce practical engineering, work-design, or administrative improvements.

05 — ADAPT
Adjust the workstation, equipment, tools, or work method where appropriate.

06 — REVIEW
Check whether the improvement is effective and sustainable.

🧍 Understanding Good Posture

Work With Your Body — Not Against It

Participants learn the importance of maintaining comfortable and sustainable working positions.

👤 Head & Neck

Avoid prolonged forward or downward positioning where possible.

🧍 Shoulders

Keep shoulders relaxed and avoid unnecessary elevation.

💪 Arms

Keep frequently used items within a comfortable working range.

🤲 Wrists & Hands

Avoid prolonged extreme wrist positions during repetitive tasks.

🪑 Back

Support a comfortable and neutral posture.

🦵 Legs

Allow adequate space and avoid maintaining restrictive positions for extended periods.

👣 Feet

Provide stable support and comfortable positioning.

Good Ergonomics Means Designing the Task Around the Person.

🪑 Office & Computer Ergonomics

Small Adjustments Can Make a Big Difference

Participants learn practical workstation considerations:

🪑 CHAIR
Adjust seat height and back support to promote a comfortable working position.

🖥️ MONITOR
Position the screen to reduce unnecessary neck and eye strain.

⌨️ KEYBOARD
Maintain a comfortable position for hands and wrists.

🖱️ MOUSE
Keep the mouse within an easy and natural reach.

💡 LIGHTING
Reduce glare and provide suitable workplace illumination.

📏 DESK
Ensure adequate working space and comfortable positioning.

📱 FREQUENTLY USED ITEMS
Keep regularly used items within an appropriate reach zone.

💻 Computer Workstation Checklist

Set Up. Sit Smart. Work Comfortably.

Before starting work, consider:

☑️ Chair adjusted appropriately
☑️ Back adequately supported
☑️ Feet comfortably supported
☑️ Screen positioned appropriately
☑️ Keyboard comfortably positioned
☑️ Mouse within easy reach
☑️ Shoulders relaxed
☑️ Wrists in a comfortable position
☑️ Frequently used items within reach
☑️ Glare controlled where possible
☑️ Adequate workspace available
☑️ Regular changes in posture encouraged

🏋️ Manual Material Handling

Lift Smarter — Not Just Stronger

Participants learn principles for safer manual handling:

Before Lifting

• Assess the load.

• Check the route.

• Consider the weight and shape.

• Determine whether assistance is needed.

• Use suitable handling equipment where available.

During Handling

• Maintain a stable stance.

• Keep the load reasonably close to the body.

• Avoid unnecessary twisting.

• Move smoothly.

• Use appropriate assistance for heavy or awkward loads.

After Handling

• Place the load securely.

• Avoid unstable stacking.

• Keep pathways clear.

• Report difficult or unsafe handling conditions.

The Safest Lift Is Often the One You Don’t Have to Perform Manually.

📦 Lifting, Carrying, Pushing & Pulling

Ergonomic risk can increase when tasks involve:

🏋️ HIGH FORCE
Heavy or difficult-to-handle loads.

🔄 REPETITION
Performing the same movement repeatedly.

🧍 AWKWARD POSTURE
Bending, reaching, twisting, kneeling, or working overhead.

⏱️ LONG DURATION
Maintaining the same physical demand for extended periods.

📦 POOR LOAD DESIGN
Loads that are unstable, difficult to grip, or difficult to see around.

🛒 HIGH PUSH / PULL FORCE
Moving equipment or materials that require excessive effort.

⚠️ Common Ergonomic Risk Factors

Recognise the Risk Before It Becomes a Problem

💪 FORCE
Excessive physical effort.

🔄 REPETITION
Frequent repeated movements.

🧍 POSTURE
Awkward or sustained positions.

⏱️ DURATION
Long periods of physical exposure.

📳 VIBRATION
Exposure to vibrating tools or equipment.

🌡️ ENVIRONMENT
Temperature, lighting, workspace, and other conditions that may affect the task.

🛠️ EQUIPMENT DESIGN
Tools or equipment that require excessive force or awkward positioning.

🔧 Ergonomic Risk Assessment

Find the Strain Before It Becomes an Injury

Participants learn to consider:

🔍 TASK
What work is being performed?

👤 PERSON
Who performs the task and what physical demands are involved?

🛠️ EQUIPMENT
Is the equipment suitable for the task?

📦 LOAD
What is being moved, handled, or manipulated?

🧍 POSTURE
What position is maintained during the task?

🔄 REPETITION
How frequently is the movement performed?

⏱️ DURATION
How long does the exposure continue?

💪 FORCE
How much physical effort is required?

🏭 ENVIRONMENT
Does the workplace layout or environment contribute to the risk?

🏭 Industrial Ergonomics

Design the Job to Fit the Worker

Industrial ergonomics can be applied to:

• Production lines

• Assembly operations

• Machine operation

• Maintenance activities

• Material handling

• Warehousing

• Packaging

• Inspection work

• Tool use

• Repetitive production tasks

• Workstations

• Loading and unloading

Participants learn how workplace design can influence efficiency, comfort, safety, quality, and physical workload.

🛠️ Ergonomic Improvements

Control the Risk at Its Source

Participants explore practical improvement strategies:

🥇 ELIMINATE
Remove unnecessary manual or awkward tasks where possible.

↓

🔄 SUBSTITUTE
Use a safer method or equipment.

↓

⚙️ ENGINEERING CONTROLS
Redesign tools, equipment, workstations, or material flow.

↓

📋 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
Improve task planning, job rotation, training, scheduling, and work practices.

↓

🧍 WORK PRACTICES
Encourage appropriate posture and safe movement techniques.

Good Ergonomics Starts With Better Work Design.

🪑 Workplace Ergonomic Assessment

Look at the Whole Workstation

A practical assessment may consider:

📏 WORK HEIGHT
Is the working height appropriate for the task?

🧍 POSTURE
Is the worker required to bend, twist, reach, or work overhead?

📦 MATERIAL LOCATION
Are frequently handled materials positioned appropriately?

🛠️ TOOLS
Are tools suitable and easy to operate?

💡 LIGHTING
Is the task adequately illuminated?

🚶 MOVEMENT
Are unnecessary movements or long reaches required?

⏱️ WORK PATTERN
Are prolonged or repetitive exposures present?

🪑 SEATING
Is appropriate seating available where required?

🔄 Repetitive Work

Repetition + Force + Awkward Posture = Increased Risk

Participants learn how repetitive tasks can be influenced by:

• Task frequency

• Cycle time

• Force requirements

• Posture

• Workstation design

• Tool design

• Duration

• Recovery opportunities

• Work organisation

Potential improvements may include:

• Better workstation design

• Appropriate tools

• Reduced unnecessary movement

• Improved material placement

• Task variation

• Job rotation where appropriate

• Mechanical assistance

• Process redesign

🛒 Ergonomics in Warehousing & Logistics

Participants learn to identify ergonomic risks associated with:

• 📦 Picking and packing

• 🏋️ Manual lifting

• 🛒 Trolley movement

• 🚚 Loading and unloading

• 📚 Reaching and stacking

• 🔄 Repetitive handling

• 🧍 Prolonged standing

• 🚶 Excessive walking

• 📦 Awkward or unstable loads

Better Material Flow Means Less Unnecessary Physical Effort.

👥 Employee Participation

The Person Doing the Job Often Knows the Job Best

An effective ergonomics programme encourages employees to:

• Report difficult tasks.

• Identify uncomfortable workstations.

• Suggest practical improvements.

• Participate in ergonomic assessments.

• Report recurring physical demands.

• Support workplace improvement initiatives.

• Share lessons learned with their teams.

Listen to the Worker. Improve the Work.

🎯 Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of workplace ergonomics.

• Identify common ergonomic risk factors.

• Recognise awkward and sustained postures.

• Understand the effects of excessive force and repetition.

• Apply basic principles of safer manual handling.

• Identify ergonomic risks in office environments.

• Understand workstation setup principles.

• Recognise ergonomic risks in industrial environments.

• Conduct basic ergonomic observations.

• Identify opportunities for workplace improvement.

• Understand the hierarchy of ergonomic controls.

• Improve awareness of posture and movement.

• Recognise the importance of employee participation.

• Support ergonomic risk-reduction initiatives.

• Contribute to a healthier and more efficient workplace.

👷 Who Can Attend?

This course is suitable for:

Safety Officers • HSE Professionals • Engineers • Supervisors • Managers • Production Personnel • Maintenance Teams • Warehouse Personnel • Office Employees • HR & Training Teams • Safety Committee Members • Workers

🧠 Training Approach

Observe → Assess → Adjust → Improve

The course combines:

📚 Classroom Learning
Core ergonomics concepts and workplace risk factors.

🧍 Posture Demonstrations
Understanding neutral and awkward working positions.

🪑 Workstation Exercises
Practical office and workstation setup.

🏋️ Manual Handling Demonstrations
Safer principles for lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.

🔍 Ergonomic Observation Exercises
Identifying ergonomic hazards in realistic work situations.

🏭 Workplace Case Studies
Analysing industrial, warehouse, office, and maintenance activities.

💬 Interactive Discussions
Developing practical solutions based on real workplace challenges.

🔄 Ergonomic Improvement Cycle

Better Work Design. Better Performance. Better Well-Being.

🔍 01 — OBSERVE
Understand how the work is performed.

↓

⚠️ 02 — IDENTIFY
Find ergonomic hazards and risk factors.

↓

📊 03 — ASSESS
Evaluate force, posture, repetition, duration, and other factors.

↓

🛠️ 04 — CONTROL
Introduce appropriate engineering, administrative, or work-practice controls.

↓

🧍 05 — ADJUST
Optimise workstation, tools, equipment, and work methods.

↓

👥 06 — INVOLVE
Obtain feedback from people performing the work.

↓

🔄 07 — REVIEW
Check whether the changes are effective.

↓

📈 08 — IMPROVE
Continue improving the work environment.

🏆 Key Benefits

For Workers

Improve awareness of posture, movement, manual handling, and ergonomic hazards.

For Supervisors

Recognise ergonomic problems and support practical improvements within their teams.

For Safety Professionals

Strengthen ergonomic hazard identification and workplace assessment skills.

For Managers

Support healthier work design, employee engagement, productivity, and safety.

For Organisations

Reduce unnecessary physical strain, improve workplace design, strengthen employee awareness, and support a more comfortable and productive working environment.

⭐ Why Ergonomics Matters

People interact with tools, machines, workstations, materials, and processes every day. When the work is poorly designed, unnecessary physical demands can develop.

Ergonomics focuses on fitting the work to the person by improving task design, equipment, workstation layout, movement, and working methods.

Design Better. Move Smarter. Work Safer.

🧍 Ergonomics

Fit the Work to the Person. Build a Safer, Healthier Workplace.

Develop practical knowledge to identify ergonomic hazards, improve posture and manual-handling practices, optimise workstations, and create safer and more efficient work environments.