Need for Ergonomics Awareness

© Wellness@work is a Godrej Interio (a division of Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.) initiative, 2013-14
wellness@godrej.com P a g e | 1
Ergonomics
Helps Improve
Organization
Productivity
Godrej Interio has been promoting the
need for ergonomics awareness,
study, analysis and the need for
appropriate action through various
Wellness initiatives. This paper aims to
share the result of a recently
concluded Ergonomics & Wellness
engagement at an organization - with
direct and conclusive proof of
increase in comfort and productivity
of employees by 15%.
Godrej Interio Ergonomics Cell
Wellness@work is a
Godrej Interio initiative
committed to helping improve
the health of employees
in modern workspaces.

Background
In October 2012, Godrej Interio (GI) published a white paper titled, Health
Challenges in Evolving Offices. The paper essentially addressed the key
factors impacting the wellness and productivity of staff: with office
furniture playing a key role.
The paper underlined the fact that most offices today were operating with
furniture that is mismatched to the new age with its highly networked work
culture that exists in offices today. This has resulted in an alarming
~ 71% of employees suffering from a rapidly spreading office illness:
Musculo Skeletal Disorders (MSDs).
The findings of the white paper were sourced through a Survey
conducted by GI across corporate locations in various industries, with
employee groups having differing work profiles.
Survey of the employees revealed following details:
• ~71% employees confirmed to be suffering from pain / discomfort during
working
• Incidence of pain / discomfort in specific areas was as below:
– Lower back (36%)
– Upper back, Neck & Shoulders (62%)
– Eyes (37%)
– Wrist (31%)
– Lower Leg (15%)
The Research Paper stated that while raising awareness among
employees may be the first step forward; doing a deeper root-cause
analysis and finding constructive and individually actionable solutions is
the need of the hour.
The core idea of this white paper has been part of GI’s discussions with
the organizations it interacts and engages with during the many Wellness-
related ground level activations done.
Godrej Interio
Ergonomics Cell
team conducted
an ergonomic audit
at Linfox,
followed by a deeper
root-cause analysis
and also
recommended
actionable solutions.

Linfox: affected by MSD
In response to this White Paper, Linfox Logistics (India operations)
contacted the GI Ergonomics Cell team to better understand the concepts
discussed. Linfox is Australia’s largest privately-owned logisitics
company, having an extensive Supply Chain Solutions service network
across Asia Pacific. Like most offices today, Linfox handles huge
amounts of data, is extremely well-networked… all implying that its
employees spend long, continuous hours seated in front of the
computers. The white paper study brought the employee concerns of
physical discomfort to the fore for the Linfox HR team.
As part of the Wellness discussions with the GI Ergonomics Cell team,
Linfox decided to investigate the possible cause of back- and neck aches
which were common amongst its employees. The initial study conducted
by the GI team revealed that ~80% of Linfox employees complained
about physical discomfort as against the already high average of
~71%. (The acceptable norm for employees’ complaints is 20%. Anything
above that needs to be addressed by the organization to prevent long
term physical ailments and problems in members of staff.)
Accordingly, Linfox commissioned a comprehensive ergonomics
intervention program for its employees, spread over 3 months.
It encompassed:
The New Office
Illness … MSD!
MSD or Musculoskeletal
Disorders are characterized by
worn out tendons, muscles, joints
& nerve tissues; which are the
result of repeated use over an
extended period of time leading
to: Pain, Numbness, Tingling,
Burning, Cramping, and Stiffness

ERGONOMIC AUDIT
Employee Work Pattern & Work Desk Interaction Audit:
- Work Pattern Understanding
- Furniture evaluation (Chair, Working Table, Computer / Laptop)
- Furniture adjustment (To fit user / meet user requirement)
As part of the audit, the GI team analyzed the incompatibility in
infrastructure & nature of work as the key cause of discomfort in the
workspace
RECOMMENDATIONS
Aimed to cover and establish the following:
- Fit of furniture to the employee work profile
- Improvement / changes required in the existing set-up to improve
employee productivity.
Following an interaction with the staff, GI Ergonomics Cell team
recommended specific changes in infrastructure as per individual needs
and work profiles. The physical needs of individuals were also taken into
consideration while recommending suitable ergonomic seating options.
These solutions were aimed at reducing the discomfort of the employees.
Ergonomic Chairs recommended
One of the key recommendations offered by GI team was ergonomic
chairs for the Linfox employees; in light of the fact that they spent long
hours working at their tables. Such work profiles need chairs that support
the lower back at all times, have adjustable armrests and height. Further,
the GI team also advised Linfox employees on issues of seat & desk
management : simple dos and don’ts that ensure comfortable and easy
working at the table, minus un-ergonomic stretches, twists, tilts and pulls
at the table.
Linfox Implemented Recommendations
Linfox procured the suggested Ergonomic Chairs & made necessary
changes in the furniture as per the advice of the GI team.
GI Ergonomics Cell
team recommended
specific changes in
infrastructure as per
individual needs and
work profiles.
Pointers for
ergonomic seating
and posture
Make sure your chair
lets you bend your
knees at 90 degrees to
your thighs and allows
you to place your feet
flat on the floor
while you work.

ACTIVITIES INITIATED TO MAXIMIZE INVESTMENT IN RODUCTIVITY
IMPROVEMENT
1. Ergonomics Awareness workshops
The objective of these workshops was to spread awareness about
changing office trends, correct ergonomic postures to be adopted at
workplace, office yoga tips & techniques to improve efficiency in offices.
During the course of the workshop, Dr. Reena Valecha of GI team also
taught some key stretching and relaxation exercises to the participants,
while highlighting the need to take a regular break from the static pose
one is expected to sit in while using the computer.
2. Weekly Wellness Tips
To keep the Wellness tips top of mind after the workshop, Linfox
subscribed to the weekly wellness tips emailer from Godrej Interio and it
circulated the same to its entire team. The purpose of this weekly emailer
was to constantly remind the receivers of the need to develop correct
seating and working habits.
A workshop was
conducted by GI
Ergonomics Cell
team where experts
highlighted the
common errors most
people make while
working for long
hours at their tables.

Godrej Interio Team conducted a Post investment AUDIT after a
period of 3 months to access the impact of installation of New
Ergonomic Chairs, Employee Wellness Workshops and Wellness
Tips reinforcement
Quote from Linfox :
“For any change in culture you need someone who is passionate, focused
& more than anything a Go-Getter especially when the chips are down.
Why on earth did we not think of being associated with “Wellness at
Work: for all these years when we proudly proclaim of caring for our
employees. Godrej is no doubt a Great Company and will for sure be
pioneers in being named as a caring company with initiative like “wellness
at Work”
John Mathews
(National Manager HR & HSE)
Linfox Logistics (India) Pvt Ltd, Mumbai , India
For any further input on this White Paper, please feel free to get in touch with
our Ergonomics Cell at wellness@godrej.com or call us on +91 22 6796 2467 / 2468 / 3421.

Need for Ergonomics Awareness

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