Ergonomics Where You Work

The UC San Diego Ergo Where You Work Team is scheduling and performing on-site and remote ergonomic evaluations to help improve employee health and wellness.

Step 1: Complete the Web-Based Tutorial

Web-based Office Ergonomics Training and Self-Assessment is available and will provide valuable tips to assist with your general workstation set-up. See the Ergonomic Training section below for access information.

Step 2: Request an Ergonomic Assessment

After completing the web-based Ergonomic Self-Assessment and Training, if an assessment is needed, email ehsergo@ucsd.edu to request an assessment.

Step 3: Schedule the Ergonomic Assessment

After we receive a request, a campus ergonomic specialist will schedule ab appointment and conduct an ergonomic assessment, either on-site or remotely.

Ergonomic Training for Where you Work

UC San Diego offers ergonomic training for employees, including:

• Web-Based Ergonomic Training
• Customized On-site Small Group or Department Ergonomic Training

Web-Based Ergonomics Self-Assessment and Training

UC San Diego offers a web-based ergonomic self-assessment and training modules for office/remote office employees.

What: The web-based tutorial provides an interactive overview of ergonomic risk factors and needed changes to create a healthier work set-up.

Who: Courses are available to campus-funded employees. Health Services employees should contact the Health Services Ergonomic Team, injuryprevention@health.ucsd.edu.

This e-Course is recommended for any employee who works at the computer for four or more hours per day. Required for staff represented by Coalition of University Employees (CUE) who work more than 60% of their normal work schedule at a video display terminal.

The Web-based Self Evaluation and Training e-Courses can be accessed via UC  Learning Center.

1a. Web-Based Ergonomic Office Self-Assessment: The RSS web-based self-assessment helps identify ergonomic risks, such as repetitive tasks that can cause injuries, improper work area setup, and improper use of tools, which can result in the development of ergonomic work-related injuries including repetitive stress injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

1b. Web-Based Ergonomic Office Training: The Risk & Safety Solutions Ergonomics Training Modules help identify various ergonomic best practices and workable ergonomic solutions.

Employees can access these ergonomic-related resources via the Risk & Safety Solutions Computer Ergonomics portal. Accessible 24/7 from a computer, this online solution provides insights into how an employee’s workstation fits and meets their needs. 

To access ergonomic web-based training and complete an ergonomic self-assessment:

1. Go to the Risk & Safety Solutions Computer Ergonomics Assessment.
2. Login with your campus sign-on credentials.
3. Select Computer Ergonomics Self-Assessment on the right navigation menu.
4. Select Start Assessment and Continue to go through the training and the assessment.

Customized Ergonomics Training

The Ergo Team offers customized ergonomics and back safety training programs for large and small groups. Topics include office ergonomics, back safety, safe lifting, repetitive injuries prevention, ergonomic best practices, and more.

• Training is available to all vice chancellor areas and departments in the form of tailgate, remote or customized seminars.
• Courses are hands-on and  interactive.
• An ergonomic specialist can present group training in your workplace, focusing on the best ergonomic practices, tasks, and equipment specific to your group’s ergonomic needs and settings, such as office and administration, custodial, dining, laboratory, medical, trades, etc..
• Training is provided quarterly, biannually or on an as-needed basis. 

To request customized ergonomic training:

• The group must have a minimum of six participants.
• Email your request to ehsergo@ucsd.edu and include:
  • Type of ergonomic training desired
  • Your department and vice chancellor area
  • Department location
  • Department contact name
  • Phone number and email address

The UC San Diego Ergo Team acts as a referral source to provide access and information about the most current and effective ergonomic product selection and procurement options to help reduce ergonomic-related injuries. Services include:

• Exploration of cutting-edge ergonomic equipment
• Answering ergonomic product-related questions
• Providing retrofit and customized options
• Offering on-site assessments

Recommended ergonomic office products include chairs, keyboards, mice and more. In addition to office ergonomics, ergonomic product recommendations are provided campus-wide for other areas including, custodial, dining, housing, landscaping, trades, medical/clinical, laboratories, and more.

Ergonomics Resource Fund

UC San Diego offers a partial reimbursement program to assist with the purchase of ergonomic equipment, including office and non-office items. The Ergonomics Resource Fund is designed for departments to utilize preventative ergonomic solutions and recommendations to help prevent potential musculoskeletal injuries. Partial product reimbursement is available for various ergonomic products.

How to Apply for Funding

1. Confirm eligibility. Funding is for individual campus-funded employees.
2. Complete the ergonomic web-based training and self-assessment. Each person applying for Ergonomics Resource Funding must complete the prerequisite ergonomic web-based training described in the training section above.
3. Complete the Ergonomics Resource Funds form. Be sure to complete all fields and include specific product and price to avoid processing delays.
4. Review and pre-approval. EH&S will review the request and reply with a pre-approval notification.
5. Department purchases the product(s). If approved, the employee’s department can purchase the ergonomic item(s), using the specific product approval protocol and department-specific procedures. Note: EH&S does not purchase products directly.
6. EH&S reimburses the department. The requesting department has three months from the EH&S pre-approval date to complete the cost transfer from the Ergonomics Resource Fund.
   1. After the order is received, the employee or employee’s department provides EH&S Ergonomics a copy of the invoice and packing slip.
   2. EH&S will review the order and approve the funding amount for the cost transfer by your department.

Ergonomics Resource Funding Amounts

• A minimum total purchase of $100 is eligible for funding consideration.
• Based on funding availability, up to 50% of the total purchase may be awarded with the maximum award amount of $300 per employee.
• As campus Ergonomics teams aim to provide ergonomic support and services to all vice chancellor areas, individual departments are allotted a maximum of $1,500 per fiscal year to help provide support for ergonomic product procurement.
• All Ergonomic Resource Funding depends on availability.
• If you have specific product questions before ordering an ergonomic product, contact ehsergo@ucsd.edu .

Regulations and Policies

• California Ergonomic Standard, California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Article 106, Section 5110
• Injury & Illness Prevention Program, California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3203
• PPM 516-20 Occupational Ergonomics

Ergonomic assessments and training highlight the importance of implementing ergonomic best practices. Add these vital elements to enhance your ergonomic program:

• Taking micro rest breaks.
• Pace yourself.
• Asking for assistance when needed.
• Alternate positions and rotate tasks.
• Add movement to the day.