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Quality of Work Life

Why Every Office Should Consider Ergonomic Assessment

Ergonomic Office Assessment

Currently, one out of every three dollars spent on worker’s compensation claims are for musculoskeletal disorders. This cost could be greatly reduced by one word: ergonomics. Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products, and systems so they fit the people using them. It aims to improve these spaces to minimize the risk of harm.

Higher risks can come from repetitive, high force movements and/or extreme posture. While these injuries may not be immediately apparent or symptomatic, they can cause extensive health issues for employees and result in long-term complications. Employers may be liable for long-term damages if a court determines they could have prevented the damage. To protect your business and safeguard employees, an ergonomic assessment is a wise choice.

There are many benefits to having an ergonomic assessment. If you decide to pursue an one for your business, contact Douron today. Having a workspace that reduces strain on your personnel provides many benefits, such as:

  • Improved productivity. Good posture, less exertion, and fewer motions make workstations more efficient. Employees typically work better and more if they’re comfortable.
  • Improved quality. Poor worksite design can lead to fatigued, frustrated, and pained personnel. This type of employee is less likely to produce a quality product. Therefore, an ergonomic assessment could improve the quality and consistency of productivity.
  • Improved employee engagement. Ergonomic improvements at the office can reduce employee fatigue and discomfort. This can result in less turnover, decreased absenteeism, improved morale, and increased employee involvement. Workers are more likely to stay at their jobs if they’re comfortable doing them.
  • A safety-minded culture. Improving office ergonomics is quickly and positively recognized by employees. Workers appreciate their employers taking an obvious, vested interest in their health and wellbeing. By emphasizing the importance of comfort and safety, business owners create a company culture that recognizes the importance of safety. This leads to better performance.

With amazing cost savings, improved productivity and quality, and better employee functioning, an ergonomic assessment makes sense for your bottom line. The ergonomic experts at Douron are here to help. Contact us for an assessment today, and put our premier office design team on your side.

Getting the Most Out of Your Office Furnishing Consultation

The average US employee feels he or she could be 21% more productive given a better working environment. Research also states that poor workplace design costs businesses an estimated $330 billion per year. While office design may not seem like a priority at the moment, it can make a huge impact on your bottom line.

Office design isn’t normally the first thing on an entrepreneur’s priority list. Normally, you’re trying to make payroll, pay off debts, pay your investors, and if you can, begin the office design process. Having a team of office design experts standing by to give you a free consultation is one of the best ways to get started. Contact Douron, the office experts, to prioritize your business productivity needs.

Outside View

The construction of the building itself is one of the first elements to consider. Is it an enclosed area, or does it have an outside view? Research shows that employees who have a view of the outside performed faster and better by a margin of up to 16%. Also, research on call center employees found that those with nice views had a 6% decrease in time required to handle calls.

Temperature

One-third of employees complain about the temperature of their office environments. The ideal temperature is 69-71 degrees. If it’s colder, employees may be more alert but distracted. If it’s warmer, people will feel lethargic and uncomfortable. While this may not technically be a design issue, office design elements can affect the temperature.

Collaboration

Office design plays a key role in collaboration. This is why companies like Google, Yahoo, and Facebook have reinvented their workspaces. At Google, there are no separate cubicles, but there are long desks where employees set up their computers. Google has found this design to be more conducive to collaboration, since you can ask your coworker a question quickly instead of waiting for email responses.

However, if work needs to be completed individually, an open floor plan may actually decrease your productivity due to noise levels. Studies have found that 30% of employees are distracted by their co-workers’ conversations.

Hire a Design Team

This is why having a design expert on your team is so important. Our design experts at Douron are here to make your office design revamp as smooth as possible. Contact us for a free consultation.

Are Your Office Chairs and Monitors Ergonomically Set Up?

Commercial Grade Furniture

Ergonomics are important in the workplace. Most workers spend the majority of their days sitting at computers. Improper posture and equipment positioning can lead to physical injuries. Ergonomics and some other small office adjustments can help prevent damages caused by improper posture and poor equipment placement.

What Are Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the study of worker productivity, health, and efficiency. Individuals who specialize in ergonomics analyze work environments to see how things can be improved for employee health and efficiency.

How You Should Sit in a Chair

People who sit all day must understand how  to sit in a chair to prevent injuries. Here are some tips to help:

  • Sit as far back in your chair as possible
  • Remove the armrests if they make you uncomfortable
  • Keep armrests at a level that allows your shoulders to relax
  • Make sure your back is supported
  • Keep the back of your chair at a 100° reclined angle
  • Adjust the seat to make sure your feet rest flat on the floor
  • Your knees should be slightly lower than or even with your hips

If you are concerned about your offices equipment, contact us today for information on how we can help with your ergonomic equipment needs.

Keyboard Positioning

Keyboard positioning is crucial to preventing injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. A few tips to properly situate your keyboard and use it comfortably include:

  • Making sure the keyboard is directly in front of you
  • Placing the keyboard at a height that allows your shoulders to relax
  • Pulling your chair close to the keyboard
  • Keeping your elbows open slightly
  • Keeping your wrists and hands straight

How to Position Your Other Equipment

The position of your other equipment is just as important as your chair and keyboard position. Here’s some advice on setting up your workstation to prevent injury:

  • Keep your mouse close to your keyboard.
  • Set your phone within reach.
  • Place the screen an arm’s length away and a few inches above your eye level.
  • Arrange the screen directly in front of you and in line with your keyboard.

Ergonomic office chairs can be rented or purchased. If you’re interested in ergonomic chairs for your office and would like more information about how Douron can help, contact us today.

Experience Matters when Choosing a Design Team

Design Team Experience

With decades of experience, Douron knows how the office workspace is evolving and the important of nice, comfortable furniture for a business to thrive. Since 1969 Douron has never lost sight of the primary goal of providing clients of the highest quality experience on the market. Douron only works with the best manufacturers and stands by the products and services we provide.

Consultation & Design

From the initial consultation to the project completion, we handle it all. Our consultation team will get you started with everything you need to know. Designing will start immediately to ensure plenty of time for making final decisions. Contact us today for your initial consultation.

Sales

Our sales team will provide you with the very best options and guide you in your decision-making for your specific office needs. We know all the ins and outs of every product on the market; you can trust us to inform you of every detail.

Client Services & Support

Our client services and support team goes above and beyond to meet the needs of all clients. We give all clients the exact attention their account deserves and strive to reach complete satisfaction.

Project Management

Douron’s project management team does an excellent job at initiating, planning, executing, and closing each account with 100% satisfaction. Our project management team does a great job of keeping things on track and inspiring others.

Delivery & Installation

Douron sees you all the way through. Not only do we design your layout and keep everything on track, we also deliver and install your office furniture. We will always go the extra mile to get the job done the right way.

So if your office is in need of some updating or a total re-haul, call us at Douron. With over 45 years of experience, we know what we’re doing. Trust us to give you the office design of your dreams. You’ll be thanking us for years to come.

Why Douron’s Design Solutions Work for Education Centers

Education Center Design Solutions

Douron’s design solutions work for educational centers because we are forward thinking, inclusive and organized in our designs. Whether you are looking for a newly designed K-12 facility or a higher education learning center, we are able to hone in on your plan and execute your vision flawlessly. With over 45 years of experience, we are able to design the perfect, modern layout for your learning environment.

Northeast High School

A great example of a design solution for an educational center is Northeast High School in Pasadena, Maryland. Northeast High School has a little over 1,300 students and we designed every classroom, the media center/library, cafeteria, administrative offices, and computer labs. Classrooms are open with double seated modern tables. The cafeteria is made up of both style seating to promote an inclusive environment. Administrative offices are well organized with lots of storage and new furniture for a comfortable workflow. If you are in need of a design similar to Northeast High School please feel free to reach out to us.

Goucher College

Another example of our design solutions at work in educational centers is Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. We designed four floors of a library, including study areas and administrative offices. The study areas were designed for optimal comfort with modern and colorful furniture. We also added pops of color throughout the library storage areas to add some creativity and interest to some otherwise boring furniture. The design inspires learning, creativity, and organization.

If you are in the education industry and looking for new, fresh ideas for your school’s facilities you have come to the right place. Douron has over 45 years of experience and we are confident in our abilities to get the job done. From planning to installment, we handle it all for you. Contact us today to improve your educational facility.

Design Solutions for Healthcare Offices

Is your healthcare office comfortable? Honestly? At Douron we offer comfortable design solutions that are functional for your waiting room, administration work areas, and private offices. If you’re in need of some updated, comfy furniture contact us today.

Waiting Rooms & Chairs

One of the most important design features of your healthcare office is your waiting room and the most important feature of your waiting room are your chairs. At Douron we only offer top of the quality, comfortable chairs. We understand how anxious and nerve wracking it can be for patients who are waiting to be seen by the doctor. We know that you will want them to be as comfortable as possible. Take a look at some of the chair designs we offer here.

Administration

Don’t forget about the administration areas and private offices of your healthcare facility. The design of the administration area is extremely important for workflow efficiency. You need your patients to see the reception as soon as they walk in. You also need easy access for your staff to clearly call patients back without too much maneuvering or furniture being in the way. Our design solutions can easily fix any problems your administration may be facing.

Private Offices

We also offer design solutions for private doctor offices. Doctors are constantly moving from one patient to the next, so when they sit down to do some research or paperwork they deserve the best chairs. Investing in the most comfortable chairs available can go a long way in improving the day to day duties of doctors.

If you’re looking for comfort and functionality for your healthcare facility, look no further. Douron knows every detail that needs to be addressed and we are happy to guide you from decision making to installation of furniture. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you have regarding your healthcare office design solutions.

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