How to Deliver a 30-Minute Presentation on Office Ergonomics

Ergonomics is an important element in creating a safe workplace.

During your career, you may be called upon to give a presentation to your peers or managers on a particular subject. If your job involves lots of exposure to health and safety issues, you may be asked to talk about ergonomics in the workplace, especially with employee health and safety being high on the list of any company's priorities. When you are giving a presentation on this topic, include these important points.

Instructions

1. Describe what the science of ergonomics is and what it means. Talk about the basic principle of ergonomics: to design a person's workstation around his physical and occupational requirements. Mention the interesting fact that ergonomics is not a new science; the Ancient Greeks practiced it. This section should last around five minutes.

2. Highlight the need for ergonomics in the workplace. Explain the results of bad ergonomic design, such as back and shoulder pain, Repetitive Strain Injury, eyestrain and migraines. Spend five minutes on this point.

3. Detail how these injuries affect the business. An employee may take many days off work as sick leave or her general productivity may decrease. This, in turn, may curtail the company's profitability. Again, spend 10 minutes on this part of your presentation.

4. List the solutions for overcoming poor ergonomic design, such as introducing height-adjustable chairs and ensuring that the top of the monitor is level with the user's eyes. Talk about exercises that people can do to lessen the effects of poor ergonomics. This topic, together with Step 3, should make up the bulk of your talk, and last 10 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a PowerPoint presentation if you think it will enhance your talk.

• Think about how to split your time between topics in your presentation; spend the longest time on the most important points.

• Offer to be responsible for training all staff in good ergonomics.

References

• Office Ergonomics
• OSHA: Ergonomics

Resources

• Occupational Health: Stretching Exercises