Ergonomics

Workplace design

The risks associated with poor work design include the loss of productivity and risk of injury or error where employees experience fatigue or become uncomfortable in the dispensary, treatment areas, stores and in any other work areas such as an agency desk, the cash register and the non-retail office areas.

The Dispensing Process

The dispensing process requires a large number of repetitive movements which can cause physical injury.  Consider the following:-

• Reach distances to pharmaceuticals, other stock etc
• Space to carry out tasks
• Height of work stations
• Lighting levels and glare, shadow and reflection factors
• Positioning of keyboard, screen and mouse
• Script positioning for reading
• Posture when standing or sitting
• Work pace and breaks
• Table and bench heights
• Task duration and repetition
• Bending and twisting
• Adjustability of seating, fittings, equipment
• Stock placement