Work environment safety and ergonomics in depth

Many think about physically hard work when they hear the word working environment. In your trade it is about something else: sitting correctly during long examinations keeping clean around the patient and equipment and maintaining concentration when a measurement needs to be precise. The small strains that repeat day after day are the ones that really matter.

§Ergonomics during examination

Many of your examinations take place sitting, often with focused movements in hands and arms while you place electrodes, probes or equipment on the patient. It doesn't sound demanding, but repeated, locked positions throughout a working day can cause tension in the neck, shoulders and wrists. Good ergonomics here is about adjusting chair and table, varying your working postures and taking micro breaks.

• 01Set the chair and working height so you don't have to raise your shoulders or bend your neck unnecessarily.
• 02Change position and stand up between patients, so you don't sit locked in all day.
• 03Position the equipment so you work with elbows close to your body rather than far out.

§Hygiene around patient and equipment

You work close to patients and the equipment you use comes into contact with both them and you. Therefore infection hygiene is a core task: hand hygiene between patients, cleaning and disinfecting equipment and contact surfaces and correct use of disposable materials. It protects both the patient — who may be sick and vulnerable — and yourself against infection.

§Electrical and appliance safety

You work with electro-medical equipment that is often connected directly to the patient. The devices must be maintained and checked, and you must know how to use them safely so the patient is not at risk. You must be able to recognise when something is not working as it should and report the fault instead of using equipment you are unsure about.

§The psychological work environment

You meet patients who may be anxious, ill, or worried about what an examination will show. It requires your ability to create calm and explain what will happen. At the same time, precise measurements require concentration, often for long periods. Being able to handle both the relational and the concentration-demanding is an important part of a good working environment in the trade.

§Speak up if something is a burden

Work environment is not only your own responsibility. Your workplace has a duty to ensure health and safety and there is typically an occupational health and safety representative you can talk to. If you experience repeated stress — physical or mental — speak up in time rather than letting it build up.