V02: Visual and Physical Ergonomics – Above Green

(Required)

INTENT

Reduce physical strain and injury, improve ergonomic comfort and workplace safety and general well-being through ergonomic design and education.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires projects to provide basic ergonomic workstation furnishings for desk- and standing-based workstations and education about workplace risk factors, signs and symptoms of discomfort, ergonomic policies and available furnishings.

ISSUE

In 2016, among all age groups musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) ranked seventh on the list of top drivers of global disability of which low back and neck pain are core issues. MSDs are one of the most commonly reported causes of lost or restricted work time and also contribute to presenteeism and lost productivity. Researchers estimate these types of losses summed to as much as 2% of gross domestic product in the European Union alone. Worldwide, of the leading environmental and occupational risk factors for disability, occupational ergonomic factors ranked fourth among those aged 15-49. Specific risk factors for work-related MSDs include occupational hazards such as heavy lifting, bending, reaching overhead, pushing or pulling heavy objects, working in generally awkward positions or performing repetitive tasks. In addition, both prolonged sitting and standing pose health risks.

SOLUTIONS

Ergonomics is the science and practice of fitting the workplace to user need. Ergonomic interventions include both infrastructural (e.g., ergonomic design, furnishing selection) and programmatic (e.g., MSD reporting, education) strategies. Both types of interventions are required for this feature. In general, experts suggest that both prolonged standing and prolonged sitting should be considered and that occupants should alternate seated and standing positions throughout the day. In office settings, these types of recommendations draw additional support for height adjustable sit-stand workstations which allow occupants to alternate between sitting and standing easily and frequently. In one study, ergonomic training and the installation of negative-slope keyboards and ergonomic chairs reduced musculoskeletal symptoms by roughly 40%. A second study found that after ergonomic consultation and adjustments, self-reported prevalence, frequency and severity of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms were significantly reduced. When examining the impact of design elements that target the ergonomic challenges of prolonged standing, generally, studies conclude that use of anti-fatigue mats reduce discomfort. When possible, seats or sitting stools should also be provided to allow standing workers to either alternate between seated or standing positions, or to take a seated break. When considering the physical design of an ergonomic computer-based workstation, key physical characteristics to evaluate include seated position, keyboard position, mouse position and mobility, work surface and height, screen view/alignment and lighting. In addition to the physical characteristics of a workstation, there are also non-physical elements that projects should consider. According to a federal report completed in the U.S., key components of effective ergonomic programs include management commitment, employee involvement, problem identification, solution development, training and education for employees and medical management, including prevention and reporting.

IMPACT

Implementing ergonomic programs in the workplace has been associated with a return on investment; one case study demonstrated a return of $10 USD for every $1 USD invested in ergonomics. A more extensive study that summarized the benefits of ergonomics programs across 250 case studies found generally positive results including reductions in the number (49.5% across 37 studies) and cost (64.8% across 22 studies) of work-related MSDs and also noted that the payback period was generally less than one year. While case studies should be interpreted cautiously, they offer valuable insights into outcomes across unique and individual programs.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Support Visual Ergonomics

Verified by Owner, Photographic evidence

For All Spaces

Desktop computer-based workstations:

All desktop computer monitors can be adjusted by height and horizontal distance from the user through one or more of the following:

Monitors with built-in height adjustment.
Height-adjustable stands.
Mounted, adjustable arms that hold primary or additional screens.

Laptop computer-based workstations:

All laptop screens can be adjusted by height and horizontal distance from the user through some combination of the following:

Height-adjustable stands used to raise the laptop screen paired with an external keyboard and mouse that are placed on the work surface.
Additional monitors provided with one of the following adjustability features:
1. Built-in height adjustment.
2. Height-adjustable stands.
3. Mounted, adjustable arms that hold primary or additional screens.

ADDITIONAL POINT OPPORTUNITY
To earn an additional point for Commercial Core, projects should also meet the requirements in all leased spaces. This can be achieved through either installation of the furniture or by providing a tenant budget tied to the implementation of the feature requirements.

Part 2

Ensure Desk Height Flexibility

Verified by Owner, Photographic evidence

For All Spaces

For at least 25% of seated-height workstations, employees have the ability to alternate between sitting or standing through one of the following:

Adjustable height sit-to-stand desks.
Desktop height-adjustment stands.

Part 3

Ensure Seat Flexibility

Verified by Owner, Photographic evidence

For All Spaces

All seating at workstations for employees meets the following adjustability requirements in compliance with the HFES 100-2007 standard or BIFMA G1-2013 guidelines:

Chair height.
Seat depth.
One additional adjustability requirement:
1. Seat angle.
2. Backrest angle.
3. Arm rests.

Part 4

Provide Standing Support

Verified by Owner, Photographic evidence

For All Spaces

All workstations in which employees are regularly required to stand for 50% or more of their working hours include recessed toe space at least 10 cm [4 in] in both depth and height, and one of the following:

A footrest or footrail to allow employees to alternate resting feet or a seat or leaning chair that allows occupants to alternate between standing and sitting or leaning.
Anti-fatigue mats or cushions that are also anti-slip and anti-trip.

Part 5

Provide Ergonomics Education

Verified by Educational Materials

For All Spaces

Projects provide education that is appropriate for employees, workstations and type of work being conducted in the space. At a minimum, topics include:

Information on how to recognize risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic issues in the work environment relevant to the project.
Information on how to recognize signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders relevant to the type of work conducted in the project space.
Information on the reporting processes for risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders.
Information on how to adjust ergonomic furnishings (e.g., seating) and workstations (e.g., height adjustment stands) provided by the project team.
Information on the process for employees to request ergonomic furnishings (as applicable).
Information on proper posture and/or form (e.g., proper posture while seated, standing, lifting, bending).

Note: Education must be culturally appropriate and literacy level appropriate. Education can come in the form of trainings, brochures, videos, posters, pamphlets, newsletters and/or other written or online information.

If the requirements of Part 5: Provide Ergonomics Education are met through the provision of educational materials then these can be counted toward Part 2: Promote Health and Wellness Education in Feature C01: Health and Wellness Awareness.

Example educational materials include:

Humanscale™ Healthy Workstation Guidelines.
EWI Works resources.
Cornell University, CUErgo: Guides and Information.
OSHA guidelines (applicable to various sectors and work environments).