Shropshire company says effective workspace training will save UK business billions
A Shropshire training company is warning businesses to ensure staff have their workspaces arranged for maximum safety and comfort or risk losing out on employee productivity.
Staff failing to get comfortable at their desks could be costing employers around £3,279 per person per year in lost revenue through time off sick, according to new research.
Health and safety experts ETD Training said a recent report revealed the cost to the economy of staff suffering from workstation-related ailments, including headaches, tense shoulders, and sore arms and wrists, was estimated at more than £50 billion.
Bruce Gutteridge, head of business development at south Shropshire-based ETD Training, said: “All businesses which employ more than five people have a legal requirement to ensure that employees who sit behind a computer screen for more than two hours a day receive adequate training to protect their health.
“There are many service sector companies, such as IT companies, insurance companies and call centre operators failing to train staff adequately.
“Working with screen equipment is associated with a number of ailments, both in relation to posture while working at a computer and a range of medical conditions including repetitive strain injury.
“Staff should be taking short breaks, putting their mouse within easy reach and supporting their forearms if necessary. Of course, setting up a workstation properly in the first instance helps to eliminate potential problems before they occur.”
ETD Training, based in Clun, is an innovative provider of online health and safety training, and has developed an interactive Display Screen Equipment (DSE) e-learning course to assist businesses needing to comply quickly with workspace-related legislation.
Mr Gutteridge added: “In a tough economic climate, no business can afford to have staff taking time off for ailments which can be avoided through effective training and guidance.”
The research, commissioned by office specialists Fellowes, also revealed that 46 per cent of employees questioned would feel proud to work for a company which took employee well-being seriously and 29 per cent would feel more motivated.
