“After the pandemic, due to closures and remote work, ergonomic and psychosocial problems appeared”

Alexandra Mantilla, health and safety doctor from the Ministry of Labour, explains that the International Labor Organization (ILO) celebrates Occupational Safety Day every April 28. It is about the prevention of professional risks that must be controlled by occupational safety technicians and occupational medicine doctors, both in public and private companies. These days, the ministry held an education on the ergonomic risks of workers, and she, as a doctor, explains the best practices for avoiding problems. However, it indicates that it must be controlled by employers.

What are occupational hazards?

These are specific risks that can occur in different jobs. Six groups of risks have been identified: physical, mechanical, ergonomic, chemical, biological and, obviously, those that stand out the most, psychosocial risks. After the pandemic, ergonomic and psychosocial problems especially arose due to both confinement and remote work.

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What are the ergonomic risks, how can they relate to occupational diseases and what should be paid attention to?

Ergonomic risks are repetitive movements, the subject of forced positions, lifting loads, which are not carried out properly or exceed the allowed deadlines. We also have those people who are in the administrative field, in front of the data display screen. It can be a risk to spend a lot of time at the computer, to be exposed to radiation problems. It is important to consider all these risks so that specialized personnel can evaluate and measure them and control measures can be adopted. The technical staff, together with the occupational medicine doctor, must identify these ergonomic risks, both in the operative and administrative part.

And what to do if it is determined that these risks exist?

For example, in the administrative area, the chair can be replaced, check if the computer is at the correct height, if the worker knows the correct positions.

Who is in charge of this control and who should provide the premises? I ask because when working remotely, the worker usually ensures the ergonomics…

The employer is responsible. As far as remote work is concerned, it is ideal for the employer to provide all the means and make the job easier for the employee. What usually happens is that before a home visit is approved, it is checked whether the space in which they perform their daily duties is adequate. If you have lighting conditions, ventilation. If the worker does not have equipment such as a computer, the furniture must be moved from the office to the home. They should check if they have an ergonomic chair, if applicable, recommend a footrest, raising the computer monitor to the correct viewing height.

What are the correct positions and what are the correct distances?

It depends on the worker, his build, height. Companies must confirm this. The regulations say so. But in general, in the administrative area it is necessary to ensure that hands do not exceed shoulder height. This is a topic that can degenerate into the famous rotator cuff. The joint cannot be rotated, but straight and preferably a mouse ergonomic which even has the same price as the normal one. This allows the arm to rest precisely and not be bent. This can prevent problems with tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, which are common and related pathologies.

How should the worker position himself in front of the computer?

Arms at a 90 degree angle. The table should be at a height that allows you to support your hands. After the pandemic, ergonomic and psychosocial problems especially arose due to both confinement and remote work.

And in the chair?

You must sit well, leaning on your back. There is lumbar control in ergonomic chairs. The legs must be in a sitting position, and if the chair is too high, footrests are recommended. It is important to apply active breaks in the 8 hours of work: every two or three hours take breaks of 10 to 15 minutes doing movements that help to decongest or relax the muscles. Even outside of working hours, it is important to exercise, eat healthy and get enough sleep.