Ergonomics is the study of health and safety in work environments. Using ergonomic techniques, such as postural adjustments and office organization, OTs and OTAs can help employers build a more comfortable space for employees. In doing so, they can improve productivity and reduce chronic pain.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 18.5 million Americans worked office or “desk” jobs in 2023. As the population spends longer hours hunched over computers and phones, studies have noted a rise in chronic pain and conditions across age groups. Occupational therapy can use ergonomic techniques to address this discomfort and create a healthier work environment.
St. Catherine University, also known as St. Kate’s, offers an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program and an occupational therapy (OT) bridge program to make this rewarding career more accessible to everyone.
The online curriculum that can be completed anywhere in the country, St. Kate’s empowers students to earn their OTA degree in as few as 16 months and provides an opportunity to seamlessly transition into an OT career.
How does OT use ergonomics, and why is ergonomics needed in the workplace? Learn more in this guide to workplace ergonomics.
What is Ergonomics, and Why Does it Matter in the Workplace?
The International Ergonomics Association (IEA) defines ergonomics as “the science of work.” Specifically, ergonomics studies how humans interact with each other and systems within the workplace. This area of study is split into three different domains of focus and intervention:
- Physical ergonomics: The physical domain concerns anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical factors as they relate to physical activity in a work environment. This includes working postures, repetitive movements, physical disabilities, and safety and health in a workplace.
- Cognitive ergonomics: The cognitive domain evaluates mental processes, such as memory, reasoning, perception, and motor response, and how they interact with the workplace. This concerns mental stress and workload, job training, decision-making, and human-computer interactions.
- Organizational ergonomics: This tackles the systems of the workplace as they pertain to organizational structures, processes, and policies. Organizational ergonomics considers team communication, resource management, flexible work hours, telework, and work design.
Ergonomics and the workplace are intertwined. When put into practice, workplace ergonomics arranges the space around the needs of the employees and teaches them how to navigate that environment safely. That’s where occupational therapy comes in.
Occupational therapy looks not only at the physical aspects of the workplace, but also the cognitive. Learn more about occupational therapy and mental health.
How Occupational Therapy Supports Workplace Ergonomics
Occupational therapy professionals can support businesses and implement ergonomic interventions through four different channels.
Virtual and In-Person Assessments
In a workplace ergonomics assessment, the OT professional will begin by interviewing the affected employee, establishing related medical history, the location and severity of discomfort, and details regarding their daily routine.
From there, the OT professional can observe how the client interacts with the environment and begin making minor adjustments or suggestions if the assessment is virtual. This includes chair position, desk height, screen settings, and suggesting intervals for breaks and stretches.
Education
OT professionals may not always deliver ergonomic interventions one-on-one. Using a more general approach, OTs can educate businesses and teams on the importance of ergonomics and simple ergonomic adjustments they can use in their daily lives. This can also be followed up with a walk-through of the workspace to answer questions and offer suggestions.
Risk Assessments
In a risk assessment, OT professionals evaluate a workspace, take measurements, videos and pictures, and record how employees interact with the space to create a detailed report. In this report, the OT professional explains recommendations for equipment, furniture reorganization, team education, and task variation to optimize the area for ergonomics.
Collaboration
When consulting with a company, professionals will collaborate across departments and teams to gain a broader understanding of the issues to be addressed and the resources available. For example, OT professionals may meet with the human resources team to inquire about employees who were injured on the job and learn about their support needs
While OT as a field is fairly new, the practice has deeper roots. Discover more about the history and evolution of occupational therapy.
The Benefits of Occupational Therapy in Ergonomics
Work often keeps employees in similar positions, performing similar movements day in and day out. Over time, these repeated postures and motions can result in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are injuries affecting the body’s tendons, muscles, and nerves. Long-term, MDSs can leave employees with chronic pain, discomfort, and even disability, creating costly life disruptions for the employee and the employer.
The holistic approach woven into occupational therapy in ergonomics allows professionals to consider the psycho-social aspects of work to improve productivity and performance. OT professionals can advise individuals and management on optimizing the workplace for cognitive health by looking at tools and resources and how they influence communication and work organization.
Why choose an OTA career?
Occupational therapy is a growing field with a broad range of applications and interventions. As an OTA, you can enjoy a rewarding career working with clients to implement treatment plans and help them navigate life with comfort and ease. There are also plenty of personal benefits that accompany an OTA career.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists occupational therapy assistants as one of the 20 fastest-growing professions, with a 22% growth rate in 2023. OTAs also earn a median annual salary of $68,340, which varies by state and industry.
Many OTAs use their experience to transition into an OT career and enjoy the autonomy and additional benefits the role imparts. For example, St. Kate’s considers certified OTAs with a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience working in an OTA role for admission into their OT bridge program. From there, you can earn your Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy in as few as 20 months.
Note: The St. Kate’s OT Bridge Program is currently seeking accreditation and is not yet enrolling students. See the accreditation page for details.
Looking to change careers? Consider why more adults are switching to OT.
Reimagine Your Future With an OTA Degree from St. Catherine University
St. Catherine University looks to ensure every applicant has an equal opportunity for admission and will walk you through the admissions process. Your admissions counselor will work with you to determine your eligibility for the OTA program and ensure you meet admission requirements.
Contact our admissions counselors today to start your OTA journey.
