Prioritising Ergonomics (Healthy Working Practices) for a Safer, More Efficient Workplace

For many workers, the word “ergonomics” sounds like jargon best left to office managers or health and safety advisors. But the truth is, ergonomics or to put it more simply, healthy working practices affects every single one of us. Whether you spend your working day on a computer, behind a counter, on the shop floor, or outdoors, a healthy working practice (ergonomics) matters.

At its core, ergonomics is about fitting the job to the worker, rather than forcing the worker to fit the job.

What is ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the science of designing workstations, tools, and tasks so they suit the person doing the job. It’s about ensuring that the way we sit, stand, lift, reach, type, or operate machinery can be done safely and comfortably, without putting unnecessary strain on our bodies. In simple terms, it means working smarter and safer, and avoiding preventable injuries.

You might not always notice it, but ergonomics has been shaping our lives for over a century. From the curve of your chair to the height of your steering wheel, many everyday items have been designed to make life easier and safer.

Why it matters

Poor ergonomics isn’t just about a sore back or aching wrists at the end of the day. Over time, badly designed equipment, poor posture, or repetitive movements can lead to serious health problems such as:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome (pain, tingling, and weakness in the hands and wrists)
• Lower back pain from inadequate seating and posture
• Repetitive strain injuries in the hands, arms, or shoulders
• Tendonitis and joint inflammation from overuse

These conditions don’t just make work harder, they can cause long-term damage to your health and even force people out of work.

The hidden costs

The cost of poor ergonomics goes beyond individual pain. It leads to more sick leave, reduced productivity, and long-term health conditions. Research shows that most overuse injury claims in the UK are linked to poor workplace design, costing hundreds of millions of pounds each year. Workers in England end up paying with their health, while businesses pay in lost time and money.

For Trade Unions, like the WEU, the case is clear: improving ergonomics is about protecting members’ health, safeguarding jobs, and preventing employers from cutting corners at workers’ expense.

Good ergonomics in practice

So what does this look like in real life? Examples include:

• A chair with proper back support and adjustable height
• A desk that allows enough space and sits at the right level
• A screen positioned at eye level to avoid neck strain
• Tools designed to reduce strain and excessive force
• Regular breaks to stretch and move

And this isn’t just for office work. Healthy working practices matter whether you’re lifting loads in a warehouse, operating machinery on site, or driving long hours. The principle is the same: reduce injury risks, keep workers healthy, and make the job more efficient.

The WEU’S view

Every employer has a duty of care to provide a safe working environment, and that includes ergonomics. Whether at home or on site, workers should have access to equipment and practices that protect their health. No one should suffer pain or long-term injury because an employer failed to design work properly.

Trade unions have always fought for safer workplaces from protective gear and safety guards to limits on working hours. Ergonomics (healthy working practice) is part of that same struggle. By demanding better standards, we’re protecting our bodies, our livelihoods, and our dignity at work.

Stephen Morris, General Secretary of the Workers of England Union said: –

“The bottom line is simple: ergonomics, healthy working practices, is not a luxury or a buzzword. It’s common sense. When work is designed to fit the worker, everyone benefits: fewer injuries, fewer sick days, and a healthier, more productive workforce.

Be assured that the case is clear for the WEU: improving ergonomics is about protecting our members’ health, safeguarding jobs, and preventing employers from cutting corners at workers’ expense.”