Select one of the links below for more information:
Ergonomic Evaluations
Ergonomics is "fitting the job to the worker." No matter what work you do, ergonomics plays an important role in preventing occupational injury and illness. The Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) provides free ergonomic evaluations, which can be conducted for personnel in a variety of settings including office, laboratory, patient care, and industrial workspaces.
An ergonomic workstation evaluation involves observing you performing typical tasks, and then adjusting the workstation as needed (e.g., in an office setting, raising a chair or lowering a keyboard). The goal is to arrange the workstation so that you achieve a neutral, comfortable working posture. During the workstation evaluation, our staff may note limitations of your current equipment. The decision as to whether to provide new equipment as a result of our findings rests with your office. DOHS does not order equipment for you, but can provide a list of recommended vendors.
NIH Computer Workstation Ergonomic Adjustment Guide (Computer Workstation Self-Assessment)
For self-guided ergonomic adjustments to your workstation, go to myCority, select the "New Questionnaire" button and complete the NIH Computer Workstation Ergonomic Adjustment Guide. The Ergonomic Adjustment Guide will walk you through each step and provide suggested actions to take. The questionnaire will provide you information on how to get additional support if the self-assessment does not resolve your ergonomic concerns.
Laboratory Ergonomics
Repetitive tasks are common in laboratories - ergonomic principles are vital in this setting. For self-guided ergonomic adjustments to your laboratory setup, go to myCority, select the "New Questionnaire" button, and complete the Laboratory Ergonomic Adjustment Guide.
The Ergonomics Program: The Laboratory Poster provides useful guidance for your ergonomic setup.
Helpful Resources to Review:
For further instructions on how to complete the ergonomic adjustment guide, click here. (NIH Only)
If after completing the Ergonomic Adjustment Guide you feel the adjustments made are insufficient, please email us to schedule a workstation evaluation at NIHErgonomic@mail.nih.gov.
Ergonomics Training
The DOHS offers on-site ergonomics training. This training shows employees how to apply ergonomic principles in the office as well as other workplace settings. Training programs include:
Office and lab ergonomics training
Back safety training
Specialized training for jobs involving tools and lifting
Ergonomics for Animal Program personnel
Industrial or mechanical ergonomics
To request an ergonomics training for your work area, call (301) 496-3353 or (301) 496-3457.
