Ergonomics Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Ergonomics are the laws of work dealing with the human body, human factors, environmental factors, work place design, tools and equipment design in reducing and preventing risk of injuries.

Ergonomics applies at work and at home.

Ergonomics applies to the following:

• Your posture when doing certain tasks at work and making changes and corrections to your postural habits.
• To the work flow of your tasks to reduce repetition and error.
• The comfort and ease of use of the tools and equipment you use on the daily basis.

Consider ergonomics early on in the planning stages of your work space design such as new buildings and office renovations, or office moves. Do not wait until the employees are exposed to the risks and make the Ergonomic considerations.

In an office environment, have the designers meet the requirements in the Ergonomic Requirements for Designers.

In a laboratory environment, go to http://lsdm.ucop.edu to access work bench and chair requirements.

The best posture is your next posture. Incorporate ways to take a mini-break every hour to change your body position and reduce awkward and static postures. Go to download ZOT Stretches for instructions on stretches.

As an employee, you are responsible in ensuring that you adjust your work space and equipment to fit your body and work flow. Make the equipment work hard for you and not the other way around. If you are leaning forward to see the screen, bring it closer to you instead of your body adjusting to the monitor. You also need to communicate with your supervisor if you are experiencing discomfort or become injured in the workplace.

As a supervisor, you are responsible in communicating and providing health and safety resources available to your employees. In terms of Ergonomics, it’s important to encourage the employees to move and take their breaks, to seek out services to help establish an ergonomically sound work space, and to establish communication in prioritization and implementation of the employee’s ergonomic needs.

As a department head, you are responsible in introducing and promoting ergonomic designs in the work spaces. Budgeting for adjustable furniture and equipment to support employees of various heights, sizes and work practices, is essential in upholding ergonomics in the workplace. Investing in ergonomic equipment is an upfront cost that could prevent costly claims to the university.

Report an injury.

Please refer to Procurement Services policy on Borrowing University-Owned Equipment for details in the process, approval and types of equipment permitted to borrow. Employees who wish to purchase ergonomic furniture in their homes as reasonable accommodations should contact their supervisors or Wendy Pawling, UCI Human Resources Management Consultant, at 949-824-9756 or wpawling@uci.edu.

Work with your department and follow Borrowing University-Owned Equipment policy for accessories brought home for remote work use.

Yes, Ergo Showroom operation is back. Schedule the showroom visit through https://uciergoshowroom.youcanbook.me/. Request an ergonomic trial for your campus or home office via Ergonomic Trial Program.

Depending on your telecommuting assignment/situation, communicate with your department for further guidance before you purchase your own equipment.

EHS has put together a list of recommended accessories available through Amazon located at: UCI Amazon Ergonomic Idea List. This list includes cushions, keyboards, and pointing devices and laptop accessories.

For UCI pricing for personal funded furniture purchases, please contact the following vendors:

• Steelcase – send a discount code request to safety@uci.edu
• Blue Space – contact Ken Gordon ken@bluespaceinteriors.com
• Herman Miller – use eligible UCI email address to enter promotional code: UCOP30 via http://store.hermanmiller.com/

You do not need an ergonomic evaluation to purchase equipment or accessories. Please communicate with you department supervisor to obtain guidance on how best to proceed with implementing ergonomic solutions while working remotely.

No, home office ergonomic evaluations are conduct virtually via Zoom meeting.

Yes, the whole UC system goes to contract pricing process where Ergonomist from each campus vet and evaluate products. Selected products from the awarded vendors are priced up to 50% of their product list price.

Not at this time. The incentive or Ergo Aid Funds program was funded by the Be Smart About Safety program from UCOP.

No, EHS does not place any orders for the departments or employees. EHS will provide the product recommendations and aid in obtaining a quote(s) from the approved vendors for the department to process the procurement.

Ergonomic recommendations are to be funded by the department. Based on your departmental budget and other factors, procurement is not guarantee and will be decided by the department.

Yes, you may try and test ergonomic equipment by visiting our Ergonomic Showroom or by requesting products through an Ergonomic Trial Program. Schedule the showroom visit through https://uciergoshowroom.youcanbook.me/. Request an ergonomic trial for your campus or home office via Ergonomic Trial Program.

Yes, there is no cost to you or department to have an ergonomic evaluation conducted.

During the evaluation, the evaluator observes for risk factors such as, but not limited to, repetition, awkward postures, and duration while working. The evaluators will take measurements and photos of the work space, as well as, the employee’s work flow, postures, and habits while working.

An on-site or virtual office ergonomic evaluation could take up to between 30-60min, depending on the number work space(s) and tasks.

You may request an ergonomic evaluation through Request and Review Ergonomic Evaluation Process. For employees of the Health System (Medical Center), please contact Yvonne Ybarra (ybarray@hs.uci.edu) to request an ergonomic evaluation.

After the on-site or virtual ergonomic evaluation, the employee, supervisor, and department contact will receive the findings and product recommendations specific in reducing the risk factors for the employee.

Execute the appropriate adjustments to your equipment which includes chair, desk, monitor, keyboard and mouse to fit your body and work practices.

Follow the UC requirement for Shared Workstation and Hoteling to work out a scheduling system, personal storage, and cleaning practices for your staff.

Yes, request a classroom or live training for no less than 12 employees for any ergonomic related topics including computer and office, laboratory, back safety, and remote work. Please send your request through safety@uci.edu.

Not at this time. None of the ergonomic trainings are available in Spanish on-line. We may be able to accommodate Spanish training for Back Injury Prevention and Manual Material Handling upon request. Please send your request through safety@uci.edu.