Workspace and Workstation Assessment
I was asked to facilitate a workspace and workstation assessment for PSYC 552 - Biomechanics and Ergonomics’ final project. I opted to conduct the project with a supplies officer, Teresa, who was based in the Philippines. The interviews were conducted remotely, and video walkthroughs of her desk and office area were encouraged. These remote interviews were key to understanding my client’s responsibilities, constraints, and challenges. I also asked my client to provide photos and videos of her workplace.
About the Client
As the high school’s supplies manager, Teresa handles the processing, procurement, inspection, distribution, and maintenance of supplies and equipment. She leads a team of five (5) employees, supporting over 5,800 students and 244 teaching and non-teaching personnel. Her tasks can be divided into two categories: stationary and active. She does computer work and administrative duties for about 4-5 hours every day. She also facilitates inventory, maintenance, and repair checks around the school campus—some of her active tasks.
Constraints and Challenges
Limited Resources
Teresa, who manages supplies for a public high school, faces challenges due to limited resources. Funding delays force teachers to be creative, and unpredictable bulk deliveries strain storage space. As Teresa leads a small team, time and manpower are also scarce. Safety and resource handling training is nonexistent, relying solely on experience.
Climate
Teresa's workplace in the Philippines presents additional climate challenges. Hot summers, lack of air conditioning, and typhoons with frequent power outages between August and January threaten supply damages due to rain and flooding.
Health and well-being
Teresa's past ankle injury raises concerns about forthcoming mobility. She also experiences occasional pain in her neck, shoulders, wrists, and lower back. The stress of managing various stakeholders, including teachers, staff, distributors, and school administration, can exacerbate these physical ailments.
Workstation & Workplace Evaluation
The evaluations involved observing the overall physical layout of the client’s workstation and the equipment she used and identifying potential issues and workarounds, such as her improvised chair solution with a pillow and fabric mats.
Teresa's workstation setup presents several ergonomic risk factors, such as awkward hunched posture caused by the large gap between Teresa's desk and the low laptop position. The limited limited legroom forces her to keep her legs bent at an awkward angle. Her improvised seating appears to cause strain on her knees and lower back. The chair appears too low, contributing to lower back pain. The chair's limited mobility requires Teresa to get up and move the chair to access the other desk. This, along with the need to constantly readjust the cushions, disrupts her workflow.
Overall, Teresa's workstation increases her risk of musculoskeletal strain due to improper posture and a lack of ergonomic support.
Workstation
Teresa uses two different tables one for computer work, and the other table for paperwork.
Posterior View
Taken from the hallway of her office.
Lateral View
Office Layout
Layout of Teresa’s office and storage spacing. Red highlights her workstation.
Office Pathway
Images provided by Teresa when supplies are delivered into the office.
Storage Room
Images were taken from the storage room with inadequate lighting.
Workstation & Workplace Recommendations
I provided both immediate and long-term improvements. Considering resource limitations, immediate improvements are quick fixes that don't require new equipment or resources. For example, an immediate but less ideal workaround is to stack two or three monobloc chairs or increase the sit bone cushion height to accommodate the low seat. I also recommended a foam-padded backrest and a sitting cushion secured on the chair frames to avoid readjustments whenever she changes position.
To easily compartmentalize computer versus paperwork tasks, I recommended the client continue using the two-table arrangement, keeping important equipment visible and within easy reach.
I recommended that Teresa and her team ensure the office space has clearly marked passageways free of obstructions and tripping hazards. Prioritizing safety by unblocking emergency exits, emergency equipment, or fire alarms (currently non-existent in her office) was also
highly recommended. I provided a layout recommendation on how to optimize the space based on
OSHA's guidelines.
Long-term improvements require a sufficient budget and training for her team. For example, investing in lifting, safety, and material and storage handling training would keep the team abreast of best practices, requirements, and techniques for a safe and accident-free workplace environment. Ensuring sufficient lighting, a designated room for newly arrived equipment, and investing in a storm-proof room could have long-term positive effects.
Existing
This is how her workplace may look like in when there is an influx of supplies and equipment. Door entrances are covered by piles of paper, books, and boxes, which makes the passageways narrow and sometimes filled with obstructions and tripping hazards.
Recommended
Passageways must remain clear of obstructions and tripping hazards. They should not store excess in aisles or passageways and not block emergency exits, emergency equipment, or fire alarms.