UF Environmental Health and Safety, Living Well team up to improve employee health and safety

Published: October 13 2006

Category:Announcements, InsideUF

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida employees can soon learn how to reduce ergonomic risk factors to decrease pain and potentially improve productivity through use of an ergonomically correct workstation.

Employees of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) and Living Well Faculty and Staff Wellness Center will provide instruction the week of Oct. 23 in recognition of National Ergonomics Month.

“More and more our jobs require a substantial portion of the day working with a computer,” said Todd Morrone, ergonomic coordinator with EH&S. “Many people in office environments find they go home with aches and pains in their necks and shoulders, hands or wrists or with back pain.”

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job to the worker, and adjustments such as the height of the computer monitor and the location of the keyboard can eliminate common aches and pains associated with their use, Morrone said.

UF faculty and staff are encouraged to visit Living Well in Yon Hall between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 23-25 or between 5 and 7 p.m. Oct. 23-24. EH&S staff will be available to talk about workplace setup, to demonstrate ergonomic equipment and to answer questions.

Cassie Howard, director of Living Well, said everyone can benefit from learning proper ergonomic technique.

“Poor workstation positioning can put stress on the body which may lead to injuries,” Howard said. “By learning the fundamentals of a safe workstation set-up, employees can reduce the likelihood of developing pain in the hands, wrists, shoulders, neck and back.”

For more information, contact Todd Morrone at 352-392-1591 or tmorrone@ufl.edu.

For more information about Living Well, contact Cassie Howard at 352-392-9767.

Credits

Contact
Michele Dye, 352-392-0578, ext. 1280

Category:Announcements, InsideUF