Given the amount of time that employees spend at their computer or workstation means it is vital that Rapid stay up to date with the latest requirements regarding office furniture and the office environment. Ergonomics within the working environment have become essential to not only keep employees healthy but also productive.
Because of this, Rapid offer personalised on-site one-to-one workstation assessments, trial chair services and ergonomic accessories.
The benefits of you choosing Rapid regarding ergonomic assessments are; compliance with health and safety regulations, improving productivity and maximizing your profits, improving the health and wellbeing of staff, reducing absences caused by back problems and RSI, improving staff motivation and retention and finally, creating a great workplace and helping you stay ahead of your competition.
The whole field of health and safety at work is complex and, in some cases, confusing but below we have tried to provide you with an overview of the general principles to which we work and provide some insight into the legal responsibilities of the employer.
Once we receive a referral requesting an ergonomic assessment on an employee's office furniture, inlcuding office seating and desks, we will:
• Raise a client file for that employee
• Make an initial contact with the employee and his/her line manager where applicable.
• Explain the reason for our involvement and outline the format and timing of the assessment
• Send a ‘Pre-Assessment Questionnaire’ to the client requesting them to self-assess their workstation and/or work environment using our form and to give this to the assessor at the time of the appointment
Upon arrival at the employee’s working environment they will:
• Identify themselves and provide ID
• Explain the format of the assessment and reporting
• Reassure the client concerning our confidentiality and disclosure policies
• Talk through the ‘Pre-Assessment Questionnaire’ and deal with any queries arising from that form
• Carry out the workplace assessment and take any photographs necessary to support my recommendations
• Discuss, confidentially, the nature of any relevant medical problems that the employee may have and any effect these may have on the employee’s ability to do their job in comfort
• Answer any questions or queries that the employee may have
• Provide immediate advice and training where appropriate and make any minor adjustments to equipment positioning which would have immediate benefit
• Should the employer require it, provide and install minor items of equipment to provide immediate benefit. Such items may include wrist rests, footstools, copyholders etc.
• Explain what happens after the assessment and giving an indication of the possible timescale
• Thank the client for their time and input
After one of our specialists has completed the assessment on the employee's office furniture they will:
• Download photographs and recorded information to the client’s file
• Consider and identify the equipment and resources to be recommended
• Obtain quotations and availability of any equipment recommended
• Complete the final report
• Send the final report and recommendations to the employer
Once one of our specialists has completed the Report they will:
• Within 5 days contact the employer to confirm their receipt of the Report
• Provide follow-up advice or information as required
• Obtain a Progress Update from the employer after 8 weeks
Our workstation assessment covers the following issues:
• the personal and physical qualities of the user such as height, weight, build etc.
• the location of the workstation and the general work environment
• the work surface layout and dimensions
• the display screen and its associated equipment
• the workload of the operator
• the chair, which must be stable, in good repair and have sufficient adjustment to enable the user to achieve and maintain a comfortable position. The chair must also meet British Standards with regards to design, construction and fire retardancy.
The assessment results are recorded and filed and a report and recommendations for improvements are submitted to the employer for further action.