1. You would be expected to complete an online self-assessment.
2. Based on the self-assessment risk score, an In-person assessment may be conducted by EHS personnel to help address problem areas.
3. An in-person assessment may result in equipment recommendations such as a new keyboard tray, an ergonomic chair, or a footstool etc.
4. Typically, the employee who requested an assessment, gets their manager's approval on purchasing such equipment out of their departmental funds and the department administrator coordinates with the furniture vendors to place orders.

To request funds for a workplace accommodation (ADA), please refer to Procedures for Employees with Disabilities to Request Workplace Accommodations.

1. After scheduling with the employee, EHS personnel visits them at their office on Grounds to look at their work setup that's been causing them discomfort.
2. Depending on the main area of discomfort for the employee, EHS personnel would recommend rearrangement of workspace elements for e.g., lowering the monitor, placing the mouse closer to the keyboard etc., within the work setup before deciding if purchase of ergonomic equipment is required or not.
3. Ergonomic equipment may be recommended like a chair, sit-stand desk etc., if changes/rearranging of elements within the existing work setup are thought to be either not possible or do not help with employee's discomfort.
4. Typically, the employee who requested an assessment, gets their manager's approval on purchasing any such recommended equipment using departmental funds and the department administrator coordinates with the furniture vendors to place orders.

To request funds for a workplace accommodation (ADA), please refer to Procedures for Employees with Disabilities to Request Workplace Accommodations.

Every 20 minutes of working with a laptop, using your phone or any screen for that matter, it is recommended to look away from the screen and focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds and blink so your eyes are lubricated.

Questions to ask before you decide to move heavy items:

1. Is the load big, bulky, heavy?
2. Does the weight of the item exceed 1/3 - 1/2 of your body weight?
3. Must you twist to get the heavy item?

If the answer's 'YES' or even a maybe to any of the above, GET HELP.

If the answer is a definite 'NO', then:

• Plant your feet firmly on the ground.
• Bend at your knees (not your waist) and keep your back upright.
• Get a good grip by using both hands.
• Keep the load close to your body.
• Breathe - If you must hold your breath to lift it, it is too heavy - GET HELP.
• Push don't pull.

To learn more about how to lift heavy object and your safe lifting zone, refer to the Material Handling page

Yes, Office Ergo by WSJ is a 3 min video that can help you setup your office ergonomically. 

The principle that you need to follow to sit ergonomically while working with a microscope is similar to when working with a monitor.

•  Place microscope in such a way that allows your arms to be at 90 - 110 degrees when your arms are on the armrests.
• When resting your back on the backrest of the chair, the microscope head should conveniently be at eye level. If you need to slouch or bend to reach the microscope head, pull the microscope closer.
• If the stage control isn't level with your arms at 90 degrees, place the microscope on, say, a stack of books to adjust height accordingly as a temporary measure. 

To learn more about microscope ergonomics or other lab related equipment placement, please refer to Lab Ergonomics or request an ergonomic assessment.

There are a few things that you need to check for when working in an ergonomic position:

• Resting elbow angle between 90 - 110 degrees (without shrugging your shoulders).
• Wrists and forearms parallel to the floor (if keyboard and mouse are on the desk or a keyboard tray) and close to the trunk of your body.
• Thighs parallel to the ground and knees between 90 - 110 degrees.
• Feet firmly planted on the ground (or on a footstool).

If even one requirement is not satisfied from the above, you may need to make a few adjustments to meet all the requirements to achieve an ergonomic working posture. Visit the Office Ergo page to learn more.

• Stretch and warm-up before, during and after the work is done.
• Wear a good pair of gloves to dampen the effect of different intensities vibrations from using various equipment.
• If kneeling on the ground, use foam knee pads to cushion your knees against hard ground.
• Collect any leaves onto a giant tarp or cloth to reduce repetitive lifting.
• If you notice that your arms are raised and your head is tilted back, use a stool or a ladder to perform the task to level the working surface with your arm level.
• If you have to lift a heavy item, GET HELP. To learn more, visit the Material Handling page and if you want to learn more about gardening ergonomically, visit the Facilities management page

1) Lighting

• Adjust level of lighting to slightly dimmer than general office lighting.
• Ophthalmologists recommend dimming overhead lights 30-50%.
• Use anti-glare screen if needed.
• Use task lighting.

2) Temperature comfort

• If possible, maintain comfortable working temperature of 68 to 72 degrees (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) -- Thermal Conditions for Human Occupancy -- ASHRAE Standard 55-1981).
• Place a work order with the appropriate service desk to have temperature and lighting adjusted if needed.