Office Ergonomics Brief
Duration: 3 Days
Edge Hill university contracted Canary Designs to review a participant’s day to day tasks, as they have been experiencing upper body musculoskeletal discomfort over a period of 12 years. Their doctor had recommended that they consult an ergonomist to review their workspace in order to eliminate tasks that contributed to their discomfort.
Multitasking
Method
Canary Designs organised a site visit to conduct an interview with the participant to understand the nature and context of tasks associated with their day to day jobs. Key measurements of their workspace and key anthropometric dimensions were recorded in order to recreate a virtual 3D environment and digital human manikins. Video observations of the office tasks conducted by the client were recorded to capture the full spectrum of postures and tasks conducted throughout the working day.
By conducting video observations, it enables us to re-watch the entire process when conducting the analysis, but also capture how the posture changes. With the use of Digital Human modelling we can recreate the posture that the participant adopted in their existing workspace layout, and then model up how their postures would change if small changes were made to their office workspace and working day.
Outcome
Canary Designs provided the client with short term, medium term and long term options to address the discomfort associated with their working day. Short term solutions covered making changes but without having to spend any capital on new equipment, such as the set-up of the desk, positioning of the input devices and monitor, and the use of a headset to enable multi tasking, phone conversation and typing tasks. Medium to long term included the installation of a sit-stand desk, and a change to the tasks conducted throughout the working day, a change in work pattern.
Can you add in Observation multitasking image by the method and the standing desk image by the outcomes.
Testimonials
I am Chair of the North East Wales Panel of Remap, we design and make “Bespoke Equipment” for the disabled, John approached us about Gary working alongside our volunteer Engineers during his stay for a month spread over the year, we accepted his offer and agreed for that to happen.
John and Gary came to our Monthly meeting in September and I can say he immediately settled in, introduced himself and not only listened to our discussions relating to ongoing work but asked questions showing an interest in what we do.
Gary, a very polite likeable chap who has displayed a good work ethic and is keen to make the best of his time with us. In the short time he has been with us he has impressed everyone with his knowledge and the ideas he puts forward for consideration.
When he has been with an Engineer to see clients regarding our work, he always has empathy with them regarding their issues and always eager to attempt to resolve them and improve their lives.
I was the Project Manager responsible for converting decommissioned areas into storage facilities for storing drums of radioactive waste at Bradwell Decommissioning Site. John Lovegrove was appointed to add his expertise and insight into supporting the Project. John used his area of expertise to add value and focus into the delivery of the best solutions. John was a valuable member of the team with a gift for highlighting the often overlooked items in the early stages. Measure twice cut once.
I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to John Lovegrove of Canary Designs for the professional and knowledgeable commitment provided in a challenging legal claim arising out of a work-related upper limb disorder.
It was extremely helpful to have an expert in this specialist field of work who could produce a technical and detailed report very quickly. Indeed, I am sure that Mr Lovegrove’s investigation and report was a pivotal factor in the success of my client’s claim.
I would highly recommend Canary Designs.
John and Canary Designs were called in to help us assess the ergonomics of our workplace in light of the repetitive nature of many of our laboratory activities. They spent time in the laboratory videoing activities and talking through tasks with the staff to ensure that they thoroughly understood them. As a result they were able to recommend a number of very practical, targeted alterations that we have since implemented and which have transformed the way that we work. We were very happy with the service we received and would definitely use them again in the future.