Office ergonomics
Office ergonomics looks at the optimal design of office systems to ensure the health, safety, comfort and productivity of their users, predominantly office employees. It includes the design of jobs, the organization of work, the layout of the office, and the design and set-up of office workstations—chairs, desks, computers, keyboards, lighting and more. IWH research in this area focuses on office ergonomics training and implementation.
At Work article
Setting up a temporary home office
As offices across Canada emptied out to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, workers had to set up makeshift workstations at their couches and kitchen tables. What can they do to make their workspaces more ergonomic? We ask Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd, co-developer of IWH's eOfficeErgo.
Published: April 2020
IWH in the media
Online program emphasizes office ergonomics
As part of International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day, office workers can use a new online training program to learn about the importance of ergonomics and how to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Published: Safety + Health, February 2015
Tools and guides
eOfficeErgo: Ergonomics e-learning for office workers
eOfficeErgo is an evidence-based and standard-compliant online training program designed for employees who regularly use computers on the job and would benefit from self-directed online training on the proper way to set up and work at office workstations in order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and other injuries.
Published: January 2015
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
How to make occupational health and safety training more effective: Findings from a field trial
In a recent quasi-experimental field trial, an Institute for Work & Health (IWH) research team compared the impact of in-person office ergonomics training with e-learning office ergonomics training. Both training programs took the same amount of time and delivered the same content. In this plenary, the IWH's Dr. Ben Amick, the lead researcher on this project, presents the findings of the 12-month trial, including which form of training had the greatest impact on worker knowledge, attitudes and behaviour with respect to office ergonomics.
Published: January 2014
Impact case study
CAMH improves office ergonomics through IWH online training program
A piloted training program was so successful it's now offered to all staff at this hospital and research centre.
Published: November 2013
Journal article
Journal article
Systematic review of the role of occupational health and safety interventions in the prevention of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms, signs, disorders, injuries, claims and lost time
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, June 2010
Sharing Best Evidence
Do workplace programs protect upper extremity musculoskeletal health?
Injuries to the upper extremity are common among workers, accounting for about 30 per cent of lost-time claims in Ontario in 2006. The upper extremity includes the neck, shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. This systematic review looked at the effectiveness of interventions to prevent upper extremity disorders and traumatic injuries.
Published: February 2009
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Systematic review of the role of occupational health and safety interventions in the prevention of upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms, signs, disorders, injuries, claims and lost time
Injuries to the upper extremity are common among workers, accounting for about 30 per cent of lost-time claims in Ontario in 2006. The upper extremity includes the neck, shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. The systematic review described in this report looked at the effectiveness of interventions to prevent upper extremity disorders and traumatic injuries. Note that this systematic review was updated in 2016.
Published: December 2008
Journal article
Journal article
Workplace interventions to prevent musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and disorders among computer users: a systematic review
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, September 2006
Systematic Review
Systematic Review
Workplace interventions to prevent musculoskeletal and visual symptoms and disorders among computer users: a systematic review
The most common occupational health complaints among computer users are visual problems such as eye discomfort and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as pain in the neck and upper extremities. This report shares the findings of a systematic review to identify studies that evaluated the effects of workplace interventions on visual or upper extremity MSDs among computer users.
Published: January 2006