I am a Supervisor
Supervisors are valued partners in ensuring employees can safely and comfortably perform their work.
You have the opportunities to interact with employees and shape the labs safety culture in positive ways.
As a new supervisor, we want you to know you have many ergonomic-related resources that can assist you and your staff in doing or supporting great science . It is important to note that ergonomics is NOT just for office work. It is especially important to integrate ergonomics into safe lab work, material handling tasks, as well as ensuring designs, usability and planning projects are 'human' centered.
We have found that proactive supervisor support and preventative interventions are key to preventing ergonomic-related injuries.
Here are some things to get you started.
Three Simple Questions You Can Ask
Video Message from EHS Ergo Team
Supervisors have the power to create a strong safety culture by asking three simple questions.
Whether you supervise employees who work in labs, do material handling or work in office it is important for you have regular conversations with your staff about their safety and comfort. Here are three questions you can ask employees during your 1:1 meetings.
Things You Can Do
Request Ergo Evaluation
You can view and request an ergo evaluation for your employees for any/all of their work areas. An ergonomics evaluation is when an Ergo Advocate or EHS Ergo Team member partners with employees 1:1 to help them optimize the safety and comfort of their work areas.
Activity Manager
You can include ergonomic-related hazards into Activity Manager for all work planning activities. This will trigger specific controls; including training. We are also happy to assist in safe work planning.
Inquire about comfort and safety
Most office ergonomic-related injuries were reported late; several months or weeks after the onset of symptoms. It is important for you to inquire about employees comfort and safety on a regular basis.
Plan ahead
Lack of planning and staffing changes can lead to increased workload and increased ergonomic risks.
Early Reporting
You can promote a culture that promotes early reporting of discomfort or any safety-related concerns by having regular discussions with your staff
Work Pause
Some employees may be reluctant to speak up ; especially to people of authority (like a supervisor). Encourage employees to do a work pause, have a questioning attitude and welcome sharing of ideas.
Promote Safety Culture
The first year for new employees is an especially important time to emphasize and promote our safety culture.; especially for workers who work in labs.
Talk about Ergonomics
There are One Minute for Safety slides on various topics; including ergonomics that you can use to facilitate discussions during meetings. The EHS Ergo Team is always available to join meetings to provide customized and relevant discussions on ergonomic-related topics.