This sh*t don't fit...

By this time tomorrow, I'll be in agony.

I'm certain of this because I'm currently stationed at a coworking office. My last encounter with a shared workspace was in San Francisco, where I was helping a new remote colleague get settled. Aware of my propensity to moan, particularly due to my history of injuries, I deliberately opted for a private meeting room that seemed ergonomically sound.

With over two decades of experience in ergonomics and my colleague Elyssa's chiropractic background, one would expect us to avoid discomfort. However, by the end of the first day, we were both in pain. By the second day, it was undeniable— we were in significant discomfort. By day three, we had to abandon our booking altogether, seeking refuge elsewhere for the remainder of the week.

Considering the surge in hybrid and remote work and the proliferation of coworking spaces, one might wonder how we could suffer so much. Let me disclose, I'm definitely not your average Joe, standing at a mere 5’2”. With years of sporting injuries compounded by the relentless pull of gravity and aging, I’m never going to get any taller. I've also spent over twenty years traveling, working at hotels, airports and other environments where desks and chairs simply don’t fit me. Despite this, I have the knowledge and experience to adapt and to work comfortably in most situations.

But, the reason for my expected discomfort tomorrow is glaringly obvious. Coworking spaces and collaborative environments often? prioritize aesthetics over functionality. Chairs with fixed heights, lacking casters, along with non-adjustable tables, benches, and even coffee tables and couches may look appealing but offer minimal support and adjustability. They resemble school classrooms, where furniture caters to users of all sizes without regard for ergonomic principles, from the smallest 8-year old, the tallest 12-year old and even the teaching staff!

But it appeared Elyssa and I were alone in our grumbling.? Looking around,? the majority of occupants were considerably younger than us, hardly budging from their chosen spot over the course of two days.

This wouldn’t necessarily be an issue if these coworking spaces were used occasionally. However, many of my clients are now formally contracting these spaces for their workers, presenting numerous challenges. Traditional ergonomics programs involve educating workers and assessing their environment, equipment, postures, and behaviors. Yet, solutions become difficult to implement in coworking spaces due to storage limitations and the inability to transport necessary equipment.

So, how do we adapt our approach to ergonomics management in environments where application is difficult, if not impossible? Most countries with ergonomics regulations offer prescriptive guidance, dictating what needs to be assessed and taught. However, blindly adhering to these regulations in the face of new occupational challenges threatens to neglect the cumulative issues leading to future injuries.

We must be pragmatic. Each individual is physically unique, with varying levels of resilience. Effective ergonomics programs should embrace these differences, focusing on training and assessment tailored to each worker's real-world challenges. If we can't change the equipment, let's concentrate on modifying behaviors, encouraging regular breaks and transitioning between different workstations.

For me, unless I am working from my home office, a coworking workspace definitely doesn’t fit. However, my experience allows me to manage my body's warnings. Many younger workers lack this awareness, potentially setting the stage for an epidemic of injuries if we fail to educate them on how their actions today can impact their wellbeing tomorrow.

Cardinus specializes in creating customized, configurable ergonomics solutions for many of worlds largest and most complex organizations.? ?For help ensuring your ergonomics program addresses all of your risks please visit (US) www.cardinus.com/us (ROW) www.cardinus.com or drop me a line at [email protected]