Ergonomics is the science of fitting tasks to the people who perform them. Ergonomic workplace and task design involves finding ways to reduce the accumulation of physical stresses that can result in injury, compromised work quality and lost productivity.
Work-related musculoskeletal injuries include muscle strain, tendonitis and carpel tunnel syndrome. People have differing physical capabilities and limitations, so they will have different risk factors and predispositions for musculoskeletal disorder.
The key ergonomic-related risk factors are frequency of motion, force, posture, and combinations of these three factors.
The links below provide an understanding of ergonomic issues and practical guidance on how to manage ergonomic concerns.
In order to resolve ergonomic concerns, these are the steps which need to be taken:
Indoor environmental quality (often known as "indoor air quality") refers to the quality of the air and other environmental factors in an office or other building. Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) can be influenced by contaminants that originate within the building or ones that are drawn in from outdoors. If contaminant concentrations are excessive, IEQ problems can arise, even if the ventilation system is properly designed and well-maintained.
Where IEQ problems exist, they are often traced to ventilation system deficiencies, off-gassing from materials and equipment, microbiological contamination, and outside air pollutants. Other factors such as temperature, relative humidity, lighting, noise, ergonomic stressors (improperly designed work stations and tasks) and job-related psychosocial stressors can contribute to complaints.
Maintaining a Healthy and comfortable indoor environment in any building often requires a holistic approach, integrating many components of a complex system. IEQ problems are preventable and solvable. The links, below, provide an understanding of IEQ issues and practical guidance on how to manage IEQ concerns in our campus buildings.
In order to resolve concerns over indoor environmental quality, these are the steps which need to be taken:
Formal inspections are an important part of any safety program. Regularly scheduled inspections complement the much less formal observations that faculty, staff and students should do each time they enter building areas.
Formal building inspections are normally carried out by Building Managers (or their delegates). Members of Acadia's Health & Safety Committee and Sub-committees may also take part, or Committee members may perform a random inspection as an audit function.
The purpose of general building inspections is two-fold:
Having identified a concern, the inspection also includes a recommendation for corrective action and follow-up.
By documenting the inspection and the follow-up, we are fulfilling our legal obligations and demonstrating commitment to health and safety. Although there are many ways to carry out effective inspections, using a good inspection checklist reduces the chances of overlooking a possibly serious problem.
Many off-campus activities present unique learning opportunities, and equally unique health and safety concerns. We need to consider special preventive and emergency measures, especially when there is a risk of becoming lost, sick or injured and when help may not be close at hand.
Participants must be advised about activity-specific hazards, including those related to travel, accommodation, and environmental risks (such as insect-transmitted diseases, hypothermia, and exposure to solar radiation). This requires careful pre-planning and attention to details by departments. Although the focus should always be on prevention, contingency plans for possible emergencies must also be developed and then communicated to everyone involved. Most importantly, leaders must be competent to run the activity so that they don't endanger themselves or the participants.
The following health and safety requirements will help ensure that everyone enjoys successful and safe off-campus activities:
Please visit our Workplace Violence Prevention page for more information.
Occupational Health and Safety
ohs@acadiau.ca
(902) 585-1199