Ergonomics at the workplace: what guidelines are there?

Ergonomic workstations are also crucial in warehousing, production and packaging areas. But when it comes to ergonomics in the workplace, what guidelines are there? Are there already legal regulations or measures that you can adhere to?

Workplace ergonomics design and guidelines can not only be important for the well-being of employees, but can also have an impact on productivity and efficiency.

At Rocholz, we understand the importance and numerous benefits of ergonomic workplace design. With over one hundred years of experience in the industry, we specialize in finding solutions that meet the needs of our customers.

With this article, we would like to provide you with a guide to help you comply with workplace ergonomics and guidelines and also to help you survey them yourself.

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Ergonomics in the workplace - why the guidelines?

Ergonomics in the workplace has never been as important as it is today. With the increasing awareness of employee health and well-being, ergonomics in the workplace with guidelines is also becoming more important. Ergonomics benefits not only the employees, but also the company by increasing efficiency and productivity and reducing absenteeism due to illness.

Compliance with workplace ergonomics guidelines is therefore of central importance. Ergonomic workstations are designed to be comfortable, safe and efficient. They minimize the physical strain that can be caused by poor posture, excessive movement and inappropriate working conditions.

Some of the benefits of ergonomic workstations are:

• Improve employee health: by adapting the workstation to the employee rather than the other way around, health problems such as back pain, vision problems and repetitive strain can be reduced.
• Increased productivity: An ergonomic workstation allows employees to work more comfortably and efficiently, resulting in improved productivity.
• Reduction of downtime: By reducing the physical strain on employees, downtime due to illness can also be reduced.

Expert Tip:

Start with small changes, such as adjusting the height of your desk or a chair, changing your working posture, improving lighting and using ergonomic accessories. Even these small changes can make a big difference!

Legal basis and guidelines for ergonomic workplaces

With regard to Germany, there are no laws that specifically define guidelines for ergonomics at the workplace with regard to individual workstations. Nevertheless, ergonomic measures should not be neglected, as certain laws require them without precisely defined specifications for workplace design.

The most important of these is the Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG). Section 3 of the ArbSchG stipulates that employers must take measures to ensure the health and safety of their employees. The effectiveness of these measures must be reviewed regularly and the employer must always strive to improve working conditions. There are no specific requirements, but guidelines could be extremely helpful for ergonomics in the workplace.

The German Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) also plays an important role. It stipulates that ergonomic aspects must be taken into account when setting up workplaces from a medical point of view. This applies in particular to the organization of work processes. In addition, technology, occupational medicine and hygiene must be at the cutting edge of scientific and technical progress.

With regard to ergonomics, principles are also laid down in the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV). However, no guidelines are precisely defined for ergonomics in the workplace that are binding for every type of workplace.

In addition to the legal requirements, there are a large number of standards, such as DIN EN ISO 6385, which defines the principles of ergonomics. DIN 33402 (body measurements) and DIN EN ISO 10075 (mental health) also contain important information for defining specific guidelines for ergonomics in the workplace. All of these guidelines emphasize the need to design workplaces in such a way that they meet the needs and abilities of company employees.

Expert tip:

When planning and designing ergonomic workstations, it is important not only to observe the legal requirements, but also to consider the specific requirements and needs of employees. Every employee has individual requirements, and what works for one person may not work for another!

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How to create your own guidelines

Creating your own workplace ergonomics guidelines can be a valuable strategy to ensure that all aspects of work are planned and implemented from an ergonomic perspective. Here are six steps you can take to define and implement your own workplace ergonomics policy:

1. Get clarity on all legal requirements: Your first step should always be to understand all legal requirements and standards in your country. These will serve as the basis for designing your own ergonomic guidelines.
2. Assess current working conditions: Before you begin to create your policy, you should conduct a thorough assessment of current working conditions. This will help you identify which areas need potential improvement. Our Predimo or HUMAN Dynamics tools can serve as the basis for a detailed analysis that enables precise improvement of ergonomics in work processes by examining the movements and processes at workplaces in detail in real time.
3. Talk to employees: Involving employees in the process is crucial in order to create guidelines for ergonomics in the workplace. They are the ones who know and can best assess the working conditions. They will give you valuable feedback and can provide insights.
4. Create guidelines: Based on your assessment and employee feedback, start creating your guidelines. Remember, for better ergonomics in the workplace, policies should be practical and actionable.
5. Implement policies: After you've created your guidelines for better workplace ergonomics, it's time for implementation. This may involve purchasing new furniture or equipment, changing work procedures or even redesigning the workplace.
6. Review and update guidelines: Ergonomics is a dynamic field and needs can change over time. It is therefore important to regularly review your workplace ergonomics policies and update them as necessary.

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Rocholz as a partner for ergonomic workplace solutions

In our more than one hundred years of history, Rocholz has always focused on people and their needs. We know that every workplace is unique and has individual requirements.

We specialize in developing tailor-made ergonomic solutions that increase efficiency and productivity while improving the comfort and well-being of employees. The fact that Rocholz has been awarded the Ergonomics Innovation Prize several times is proof of our efforts. For example, SYSTEM FLEX from Rocholz is the first (and for a long time the only) system to be certified as an ergonomic packing table system.

Our range includes a variety of products and solutions that make it easier to comply with ergonomic guidelines in the workplace:

• Packing table systems: Our large selection of packing tables for logistics workstations is tailored to different requirements. The modular systems (e.g. SYSTEM FLEX and SYSTEM 2000) enable an ergonomic and efficient working environment that can also be flexibly optimized for every workplace. With SYSTEM UP, we offer you the ideal solution for standing workstations.
• Cutting systems and wrapping paper dispensers: These are designed to facilitate the work flow and at the same time put less strain on the body.
• Intelligent assistance systems: These support the worker ergonomically and help to make the workflow error-free.
• Other accessories: Our range also includes other accessories that help to implement the guidelines even better when it comes to ergonomics in the workplace. Our lifting systems in particular help to reduce the physical strain on employees.

At Rocholz, we are happy to help you design an efficient and ergonomic working environment in your company.

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