Environmental Health & Safety

Ergonomics is the practice of fitting the job to the individual, which can help prevent work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Examples of musculoskeletal injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and low back pain. The goal of the ergonomics program at the University is to help departments and employees identify risk factors that can contribute to the development of work related musculoskeletal injuries and determine solutions to eliminate or reduce these risk factors.

These steps can help employees conduct a self-assessment of their workstation and pick products that may improve the ergonomics of their workstation:

Step 1. Review and Adjust:  Workstation Adjustment Guidelines

Step 2. Purchase Ergonomic Tools:  Guide for Selecting Office Ergonomic Furniture and Equipment

Step 3. Print out and plan:  Sit-Stand Workstations

Trainings

For training on ergonomics awareness, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has provided online training for supervisors and employees on the L&I Ergonomics webpage.

• ​Back Safety and Injury Prevention - Online
• Additional ergonomic information

Safety Training

EH&S provides health and safety training courses that meet regulatory and policy requirements and support a culture of safety for the University of Washington; Most EH&S courses are free to faculty, staff and studentsith a UW NetID (if you do not have a UW NetID, ask your department/unit for sponsorship.)

• Search a list of safety courses and schedules.
• Use the following guides to find required and recommended courses based on job hazards:
  • General Health & Safety Training Course Selection Guide
  • Safety Training for Laboratory Personnel Guide
  • Safety Training for Shop and Makerspace Personnel Guide
  • View a list of courses specfic to Office of Research and Facilities personnel.

For additional safety trianing requests, please contact UWB EH&S.