Environmental Health & Safety

Assessments

During the COVID-19 pandemic, with many UCR faculty and staff working remotely, poor home-office ergonomics and pandemic-related stress can cause health problems. Some of these health-related issues can manifest themselves by experiencing:

• Back pain
• Headaches
• Stiff or painful neck
• Painful wrists, hands or elbows
• Knotted shoulder muscles

Whether you or your team may be experiencing any of these symptoms, or even if you want to be pro-active about your health, you are welcome to request a virtual ergonomic assessment to help you be healthy and productive while working remotely. The UCR Ergonomics Department is offering the following ways to schedule a ergonomic assessment.

Schedule an Assessment

• Individual: EH&S will conduct the ergonomic assessment of your workstation. To schedule an ergonomics assessment, please fill out the online Ergonomic Assessment Form . For questions, send an email to ehsih@ucr.edu 

Training

• Groups: EH&S has developed an informative and engaging presentation for groups who want to keep their teams healthy and productive while working remotely.  To schedule your ergonomics group training, please contact ehsih@ucr.edu 

Computer Ergonomics Self-Assessment is an on-line Self-Assessment and Training program targeted to the office-worker. This online program, hosted by Risk & Safety Solutions helps to identify your risks, automate injury prevention activities, and analyze results.

• Mandatory for certain office-worker job categories.
• Recommended for all faculty and staff who work more than 2 hours per day at a computer.
• Start your Computer Ergonomics Self-Assessment. 

Matching Funds Program

The Be Smart About Safety Matching Funds Program is applied to recommended and approved office ergonomic equipment for eligible UCR staff and faculty.  The program helps departments offset the cost of recommended office improvements.

Ergonomics Training

Ergonomic training, known as Smart Body Management, seeks to teach employees how to use their bodies efficiently in all aspects of their job as well as their personal life. Whereas Ergonomics typically focuses on the types of tools we use, and where to place them, Smart Body Management deals with employee habits, posture and work technique. The participant will learn about the mechanism of all musculoskeletal injuries, why one may experience frequent, nagging aches and pains and how to effectively get rid of them and keep them at bay. This training is an engaging, interactive experience that helps to motivate people to make positive changes in their daily habits which will have a profound impact on their well-being. Successful application of Smart Body Management principles provides the individual with increased energy, less aches and pains, a reduced risk of injury and an improved quality of life.

For information, please contact EH&S ehsih@ucr.edu

Laboratory Ergonomics

• Laboratory Evaluation Form
• Workstation Set-up Diagram

Laboratory Product Catalog

• Arm Support
• Bottles/Dispensers
• Computers
• Jar Openers
• Matting/Foot Rests
• Micromanipulation
• Micromanipulation - Tools and Padding
• Microscopes
• Pipettes
• Seats
• Storage Bins
• Miscellaneous

Working Remotely provides useful tips and simple strategies to improve your ergonomics and your work-from-home (or from any remote location) experience.

• Ergonomics - Working Remotely
  • YouTube Video - the ergonomically correct way to use a mouse
• Working Remote Tips