Tech firms combat occupational hazards

The use of ergonomics to prevent work-related injuries is growing.

According to a study by the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics, back pain is the most common reason why workers' compensation claims are filed in that country.

The study estimates that the resulting cost of lost work days ranges from $13 to $20 billion a year. With India hitting its pot of gold in knowledge-intensive industries, repeated strain injuries (RSI) or work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are as much a reality here as in the US.

That's probably why ergonomics"" the science of designing a person's work environment so as to enable the highest level of functioning"" is the latest buzzword in HR circles at IT and ITeS companies.

WMSDs can be prevented by simple changes in the workplace like adjusting the height of work surfaces, adding supportive equipment such as articulating keyboard trays, adjustable monitors and performing stretching exercises at your work station.

UL Pradeep Kumar, environment health and safety manager at Hewlett-Packard, Bangalore, agrees that ergonomic risks are "the most far-reaching occupational risks, as sizeable numbers utilise laptops or desktops in their everyday work."

HP has taken its message online, and how! All HP employees can access the Office Ergonomic Suite (OES) or WorkWell, an e-learning ergonomic training and self-assessment programme that helps identify, educate and reduce the ergonomic risk factors associated with jobs, work areas or specific behaviours. "More than 10,000 employees have taken the assessment, and the number is increasing," says Kumar.

Two years back, Bangalore-based Juniper Networks remodelled its workspace to ergonomic specifications. Reveals vice-president Sridhar Sarathy: "Since then, complaints of back pain have reduced drastically." Sarathy claims that it's been a year since an employee has taken a day off on account of RSI.

Xansa too has adopted the science in all its three centres"" Noida, Chennai and Pune. "We also plan to develop programmes on health and safety rules on the intranet," says Shantanu Banerjee, director (HR) at Xansa. The company employs certified health professionals trained at the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

To combat ergonomic risks, Perot Systems in Noida launched a RSI clinic last month, its second in India (the first is in Bangalore). Says Sheela Singh, head of HR: "The clinics educate associates about RSI and provide physiotherapy if needed." So far about 65 associates in Bangalore and 35 in Noida have visited the clinic.

Companies are now more savvy about the costs they can save"" reduced compensation claims, lower insurance premiums, lower employee turnover"" by addressing WMSDs. But higher productivity is a fringe benefit.

Banerjee confirms: "We have seen mammoth growth as far as employee motivation is concerned." Their in-house surveys show a rise in staff involvement with the company.

Juniper has a monthly ergonomics training session. Sarathy says: "In our new hire orientation, the workspace is configured to employee's specifications."

At HP, the employee risk profile is established and solutions are worked out. Risk reduction is regularly monitored. "The result is higher productivity and motivation and more important, prevention of ergonomic injury," says Kumar.