Since March 2022, the QWL approach in companies becomes QWL or Quality of Life and Working Conditions. This new name changes many things.

The objectives of QWL

Any company manager, healthy in body and mind, likes to see his employees flourish at work. For this, they need a suitable working environment. A welcoming place where life is good; friendly colleagues, always ready to give a hand in good times and bad; shared responsibilities, allowing everyone to shine; a clear and well-balanced schedule, where tasks are well distributed and leave room for the unexpected...

Creating such conditions in a company requires organization and excellent managerial skills. Hence the importance of a well-developed QWL (Quality of Life at Work) policy approved by all staff.

In the 2013 National Interprofessional Agreement, QWL refers to all "actions that improve the working conditions of employees and the overall performance of companies". For companies, QWL has always been inseparable from "happiness at work". A QWL plan thus focuses on priority areas such as

- The working environment

- Improving workplace relations

- The corporate culture

- Recognition of the work done

- Work-life balance

- Employee's valorization

The definition of QWL is unclear and confuses many companies. Many of them have forgotten, or at least neglected, the very objective of QWL: to have healthy employees who are physically, emotionally and psychologically fulfilled in their work. For this reason, the new National Interprofessional Agreement of December 9, 2020 changes the acronym. QWL becomes QWL - and since then, things have moved in the right direction.

What changes have occurred since the transition to the QWL?

The signatories of the new agreement justify this change by the need to review the traditional approach to quality of life. According to them, this approach must integrate a collective vision focused on improving the conditions in which employees perform their work. Preserving the health and safety of workers thus becomes a priority. The new agreement also seeks to encourage employees' ability to act and express themselves on the content of their work.

The QWL approach, as conceived by ANDRH, can and must be continually amended. Each professional organization is concerned. Finally, the QWL policy focuses as much on managerial practices as on professional trajectories and interpersonal relations. Basically, everyone in the company is concerned.

With this shift, the quality of life of employees is no longer measured solely in terms of leisure activities and conviviality at the workplace. Cosmetic measures that are not related to work, such as table soccer, coffee corners, ping-pong tables, aperitifs, go-karting trips and other extra-occupational activities, take a back seat. The QWL focuses on the working conditions and environment. The employee is at the heart of the concerns, since the QWL focuses on issues that are far more significant:

• Occupational health issues, which include well-being and the prevention of physical and psychosocial risks;

- Legal and regulatory issues related to work sustainability;

- Social and internal dialogue ;

• Societal issues around inclusion, training, equal opportunity, etc. ;

- The challenge of work

For companies, the implementation of a QWL policy is of strategic interest. Healthy and balanced employees are more productive. In this sense, a well thought-out QWL approach boosts the competitiveness, profitability and overall performance of the company.

Priority actions of a QWL policy

The priority measures of a QWL approach encompass health, safety and working conditions as a whole.

Health and safety actions

Imagine that you manage an industrial SME. You produce precision mechanics for automobile or aeronautical manufacturers. On a daily basis, your teams are subject to enormous pressure due to the demands of the job (constant concentration, work in a hyperbaric environment, heat, sharp tools, etc.). Without an adequate QWL approach, fatigue and weariness easily set in under these conditions.

To protect the health and safety of your employees, your company complies with the law and invests in adequate PPE. You also draw up a schedule in which the workload is well distributed and calibrated according to the physical and psychological capacities of each employee.

To avoid accidents and occupational diseases, you could invest in physical assistance devices. An exoskeleton fromErgoSanté can, for example, make cutting or welding work less painful. This assistance also facilitates other tasks requiring heavy lifting or repeating the same movements. By investing in the health and well-being of your employees, you reduce the rate of absenteeism, delays and occupational diseases. 

On social and internal dialogue

The social climate within the company is reflected in the quality of relations between colleagues and with the hierarchy. This indicator shows with more or less precision the social and human health of the company.

Building trust among colleagues and with management depends on open and honest communication between all parties. Internal events such as team-building, parent/child days and similar social catalysts often help to strengthen the bond between employees. 

On managerial practices

Management also plays a central role in a QWL policy. No employee likes management methods that are too rigid, too closed and lacking in tact. These outdated practices are a source of conflict and misunderstanding.

In a QWL policy, managers must show kindness and listen to their teams. Each employee must feel supported, recognized and valued in their work. Human, open and participative communication is the key to optimizing the quality of management at the heart of a company. 

On societal and regulatory issues

A major pillar of the QWL, professional equality appears to be a source of motivation and additional well-being for employees. Employees sometimes feel abandoned or deprived of the same professional opportunities as their colleagues. This feeling of inequality is sometimes linked to their gender, age or social status.

In order to redress these inequities, the state requires companies with more than 50 employees to establish a gender equality index for the workplace. Other obligations, equally binding, concern the employment of disabled workers and equal opportunities regardless of ethnic or social origin.

On the issue of work

An employee easily gets bored if he or she performs laborious, redundant or not at all adapted to his or her skills. A company's QWL approach must resolve and prevent this situation, by ensuring that each employee finds interest and meaning in his or her work. This requires consultation between the management team and the employees, the objective being to distribute tasks and schedule them according to the affinities and skills of each person.

Basically, the main challenge is to put the right person in the right job, providing the right tools at the right time. If all of these conditions are met, the employee has all the ingredients to excel in his or her job.

The QWL according to ErgoSanté

ErgoSanté is fully committed to the values and principles of the QWL. Our activity is dedicated to the development of a healthy, safe and pleasant work environment for all employees. Our ergonomic chairs help companies to fight effectively against musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and occupational diseases resulting from poor posture.

We also develop exoskeletons via our Hapo brand, a sector in which we are number one in France. Our latest models, HAPO UP and HAPO Front, are the fruit of three years of R&D and feedback from our previous equipment.

ErgoSanté also supports equal opportunities and promotes the values of inclusion. Our Cévennes workshop is the only Adapted Company in France working in the manufacture of ergonomic seats and passive exoskeletons.

In a report published on April 18, Santé publique France expressed concern about the increase in reports of work-related illnesses between 2012 and 2018. The institute also deplores the lack of awareness among employers and employees in relation to CAM and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

More reports among women, workers and the elderly

The first piece of information from theSanté publique France study: the rate of reporting of work-related illnesses is increasing almost continuously. From 4.9, % in 2017, it reached 7.1% among men in 2018. Among women, the rate of reporting rose to 11.4% in 2018, up from 6.2% in 2007.

In terms of age, the reporting rate for women increases until age 45-54, before decreasing after age 55. For men, the curve continues to rise as age increases.

By sector of activity, industry and construction are the most represented in reports of CAM for men. For women, warehousing and transport activities are the most affected.

MSDs are over-represented in CAM

The other key information concerns the overrepresentation of musculoskeletal disorders in CAM. MSDs represent almost half of the reports for men. Mental distress comes in second place, with one third of the reports. Allergies, irritations and hearing disorders each account for less than 5% of the pathologies reported.

Among women, 40% of reports are related to musculoskeletal disorders. 52% are related to psychological suffering. Psychological disorders particularly affect women aged 35 to 44 and men aged 45 to 54. Moreover, Santé publique France notes a significant difference in the rate of MSD reporting, depending on the social rank of the workers.

Indeed, blue-collar workers are particularly affected by these pathologies, whereas managers seem to be spared. However, the doctors who conducted the study put this result into perspective, as it is likely to be distorted by a possible under-reporting of psychological disorders among workers.

On the origins of MSDs, the authors believe that more than 80% of the reports come from biomechanical factors:

- Work with force

- Bad posture

- Repetitive movements

Psychological suffering is 99% the result of organizational, relational and ethical factors (FORE). Half of these OREFs are related to the functional organization of work.

Finally, the study specifies that 75% of MSDs falling within the scope of an occupational disease (OD) were not declared as an occupational disease. This under-reporting is explained by the employee's lack of knowledge of the reporting procedure and by the inadequacy of a diagnostic assessment.

Lessons from the Santé publique France report

The CAM surveillance system of Santé publique France allows the quantification, with varying degrees of accuracy, of work-related diseases and occupational illnesses in companies. 

The study also improves the understanding and identification of risk situations in terms of CAM. The high prevalence of psychological disorders and CAMs among workers over 45 years of age highlights, for example, the need to integrate the age factor into the distribution of jobs and tasks in companies.

With regard to MSDs, a better understanding of the biomechanical factors that cause problems helps companies make the right decisions regarding QWL. Some employers could, for example, strengthen the protection of employees against the harmful effects of awkward posture, repetitive movements and heavy lifting.

Concrete solutions exist. The passive exoskeletons developed by ErgoSanté are one of them. Our posture harnesses support manual workers in strenuous tasks, such as :

• work at height,

• carrying heavy loads,

• repetitive movements

• prolonged holding of the arms forward or upward.

Lightweight, non-bulky and adjustable to all sizes, HAPO exoskeletons are suitable for all manual jobs. Painters, wine growers, caregivers, landscapers, oyster farmers and construction workers have already adopted this solution.

About the CAM Surveillance Program

The CAM surveillance program of Santé publique France was created in 2004. The Regional Health Observatories and the Occupational Medical Inspectorate also participate in this program. It is interested in all pathologies that may be related to a professional activity, without being recognized as an occupational disease by the Social Security. The program's monitoring activities are based on the observations of volunteer occupational physicians during the CAM Fortnight.

In 2018, 1014 occupational physicians participated in at least one CAM Fortnight. In the same year, the CAM surveillance program studied more than 40,000 cases of employees who reported one or more work-related diseases. The surveillance mechanism covers 7 metropolitan regions and 2 overseas departments.

Santé publique France plans to extend the system to the whole of metropolitan France and its overseas territories. It is counting on the support of software publishers to achieve this objective. The latter are responsible for developing IT tools to facilitate and secure exchanges between healthcare professionals who have access to DMST* and DMP**.

*DMST: Occupational Health Medical Record

**DMP: Shared Medical Record

What is a Préventica exhibition?

For nearly 25 years, Préventica has been organizing meetings in several French cities. It is a place to talk about the world of work and risk prevention and to exhibit the most innovative ergonomic solutions. A meeting place and inspiration for those involved in occupational health and safety, this exhibition has a common objective: the continuous improvement of working conditions in all professional sectors!

A major event in the field of quality of life at work, the Préventica exhibition will be back from May 23 to 25. This year it will welcome more than 540 exhibitors at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles. It will be an opportunity for participants to discuss the latest news and innovations in the profession.

 

Where to find ErgoSanté?

ErgoSanté was once again present at this important event. Meet us at the "workspace design " section at Stand I15 to discuss with our ergonomics advisors! Come and discover our range of innovative solutions and take advantage of advice on workstation design!

Designer, French manufacturer and distributor of ergonomic equipment, our objective is the health and well-being of all workers. As an adapted company, we also have the mission to keep disabled workers in employment. We will thus take advantage of the Préventica platform to transmit these values and highlight our latest technological advances.

On the occasion of this Parisian exhibition, discover our ergonomic seats manufacture of Cevennes and come to test our innovations exoskeletons ! We will present our new model the HAPO UP and its kit the HAPO UP FRONT. These innovative devices are designed to relieve pain and prevent RSI to preserve your health on a daily basis. Try also our latest HAPO SENSOR. This device evaluates the impact of the exoskeleton on the user, allowing a precise analysis of its benefits. We warn you... to try them is to adopt them!

Whatever your sector of activity, ErgoSanté can support you in your efforts to improve the quality of life and prevent risks at work.

Any questions? Our team will be there to answer you!

🏙️ Get your free visitor badge: https: //www.preventica.com/visiteur-formulaire-inscription.php?salon=paris&Connaissance=EIPA048&Connaissance2=ERGOSANTE&utm_source=ps&utm_medium=e-invitation&utm_campaign=ergosante-paris23

🗓️ Make an appointment with us: https: //www.preventica.com/congres-salon-preventica-paris-2023-exposants.php?motcle=ERGOSANTE&utm_source=ps&utm_medium=e-invitation&utm_campaign=ergosante-paris23

 

Various studies have shown the harmful impact of ambient noise on our comfort and productivity. However, noise pollution in the office is still a daily problem for millions of people. Hearing fatigue, tinnitus, whistling, high blood pressure, this degradation of our work environment has harmful effects on our health. At the same time, this professional tumult deteriorates our mental well-being with strong psychological and emotional repercussions. Pathologies such as chronic stress, insomnia or loss of concentration develop among employees. In order to create a healthy space for communication and collaboration, it is therefore necessary to intelligently design the premises.

Adopt desk dividers to reduce open space noise

By nature totally open, the open space must be judiciously separated into spaces adapted to the needs of the personnel. Without talking about major works, a good layout will be enough to considerably reduce the propagation of noise for a better sound comfort.

Close proximity of workstations can have a negative impact on concentration and disturb confidentiality. Fortunately, there are simple and ergonomic solutions that allow you to create clever boundaries between you and your colleagues. For example, partitioning screens combine simple mounting, design and sound insulation. These mobile and light panels adapt to all environments and can be quickly installed on your desk to reduce the noise level. They are available in many models, varying in shape and color to meet all needs. Twist their aesthetics according to your desires and bring freshness and modernity to your premises.  

In the same idea, partition walls are excellent tools to arrange the work environment in a simple and modular way. They visually determine the different zones of a room, bringing silence and harmony. Highly effective, they absorb noise pollution and reduce ambient noise. Optimizing the acoustics of the premises, they are also perfect for decorating. From the simple screen to the elegant folding screen, fixed or with wheels, these noise barriers can be found in all forms.

These delimitations clean up the working conditions, thus reducing the negative consequences of noise on our health and our concentration. No more permanent noise, each employee will be able to use the different spaces of the open space properly.

Acoustic booths to improve hearing comfort 

To perfect this separation, the acoustic cabins or huts offer spaces with maximum auditory comfort. This unique and innovative concept provides private meeting or work areas that absorb ambient noise and limit the noise emitted to the outside. Highly functional and fully equipped, these soundproof rooms allow for optimal concentration and confidentiality. Authentic havens of peace, they give everyone the possibility to isolate themselves completely or to discuss with others within the open space, in the respect of all. Whether you are looking for an ultra-modern box or a convivial alcove, you are sure to find what you are looking for among a wide range of choices.

Improve office soundproofing with acoustic furniture

The sound insulation of the surfaces of your premises is one of the best solutions to combat noise pollution. Here, the objective is to avoid external noises, but also their amplification and propagation inside the premises. Thanks to adapted furniture, it is perfectly possible to correct and control your sound environment.

Acoustic panels made of absorbent foam and fabric will attenuate the reverberation and echo of a room to ensure the auditory well-being of its occupants. Their implementation in the professional space must be studied to maximize their actions without modifying the existing installations. In fact, these isophonic plates are to be placed on the walls and ceiling in order to reduce the propagation of sound waves. Real decorative accessory, they will integrate effortlessly in the layout of the open space. Playful, modern and colorful, they will even bring a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Office furniture also has a role to play in reducing noise. For example, it can be used effectively as a support for soundproofing. Backs of cabinets, executive chairs or adjustable desks can quickly accommodatesoundproofing. Very easily installed, these are practical solutions to benefit from the advantages of acoustic panels at affordable prices.

Ergonomic furniture also helps to restore calm to your office. Thanks to their useful and silent adjustment features, they are designed to interfere with your colleagues' concentration as little as possible. Thus, some keyboards associated with a clever technology considerably reduce the noise during typing to reduce disturbances. Ever more innovative, soundproof furniture is appearing on the market. Equipped with the same soundproofing and absorbing materials as the panels, they allow to reduce the noise diffusion without investing in additional furniture. 

Choose individual hearing protection to boost your concentration

Collective protection is essential to reduce ambient noise in the office, but can sometimes prove insufficient. More personal solutions exist to prevent discomfort and hearing deterioration.

PICB(Personal Noise Protection) protections visibly attenuate the harmful effects of noise thanks to their noise reduction properties. They must be chosen according to the work environment and be CE certified according to the EN352-2 standard to effectively protect against noise pollution. In open spaces, these accessible solutions can take the form of headphones or earplugs. These quickly create little bubbles of peace and quiet that boost productivity and concentration. This personal protective equipment(PPE) encourages a kind of inner calm and is ideal for creating small moments of respite during a long working day.

Other accessories such as headphones, earphones or microphones with anti-noise technology are appearing on our workstations. Like the PICBs, they allow you to isolate yourself to better focus your attention, but have the advantage of having other uses. For example, they can facilitate conversations by making phone calls perfectly intelligible even with the tumult outside. Almost all models will also allow you to listen to music. Stimulating the secretion of endorphins, the melodies will soothe you, reducing stress and promoting concentration. Depending on your personal needs, they can also motivate, stimulate creativity and play a beneficial role in the memorization and integration of information.

Request a job accommodation: https://ergosante.fr/essai/

ErgoSanté supports all initiatives aimed at improving the working conditions of employees in arduous occupations. Our company is one of the leading players in the market for ergonomic work equipment. We are the leading French manufacturer ofpassive exoskeletons for workers.

Our objective remains unchanged, with or without the C2P reform: to imagine, design and develop devices that help limit the onset of musculoskeletal disorders related to the arduousness of a job. Our solutions assist office workers and manual professions. For the latter, we offer a range of passive exoskeletons, which relieve the neck, arms and back, in addition to compensating for infirmities.

These "physical assistance devices" are currently being used by professionals in a wide range of sectors. Dairy farmers, surgeons, materials handlers in factories and logistics centers, and slaughterhouse workers all benefit from the assistance provided by ErgoSanté exoskeletons.

Covid-19 has changed the way businesses, communities and individuals view their work environment. More comfortable, redesigned offices and seating, flexible schedules, and environmental and social issues are now a given for many workers.

Concerned about companies' portfolios and responding to their CSR criteria, EcoSiège did not wait for these changes to develop an eco-responsible professional furniture offer. How can we do it? The answer is in the recycled furniture, upcycled and reconditioned in our workshop in Anduze, in the Cevennes.

Reasonably priced furniture for everyone

Furnishing an office or a home office requires a substantial budget. A new ergonomic chair costs 200 euros for a basic model and up to 1500 euros or more for a state-of-the-art version. Now, imagine a company that needs to replace a hundred chairs in the short or medium term: the bill could quickly skyrocket.

The ErgoSanté group's recycling branch solves this very problem. EcoSiège recovers obsolete and unused chairs from large companies, SMEs, communities and individuals throughout France. In our factory, these old pieces of furniture are given a second youth under the expert hands of our craftsmen. They are evaluated, cleaned, repaired and reconditioned before being returned to near new condition.

EcoSiège's approach is based above all on a financial logic. The chairs renovated in our premises are up to 50% less expensive than a new seat.

Seats that are compatible with companies' CSR approaches

The Pact law and the Civil Code reformed in 2019 require companies to integrate a CSR dimension into the management of their activities. This obligation concerns TTIs, VSEs, SMEs and publicly traded companies. The largest companies must also carry out ESG reporting.

This document informs the public and the authorities about the social and environmental impacts of their activities. For these actors, every action with a CSR dimension deserves to be highlighted, in order to prove their commitment to the environment, the well-being of employees and local employment, among others.

The purchase of refurbished chairs by EcoSiège fulfills all these criteria. Our reconditioned chairs leave a much smaller carbon footprint than new chairs. The difference can be up to -42 kg of CO2 depending on the furniture and its components. Several factors explain the low carbon cost of our products:

- A production based on used chairs

Our factory in Anduze uses few materials from the extraction sector, which is known to be very polluting. Our production is essentially based on out-of-use seats of all brands, collected by Valdelia and other partner organizations.

- A local production circuit

France produces each year approximately 130 000 tons of waste from professional furniture. EcoSiège draws on this "local" and almost infinite reserve to produce reconditioned office chairs that retain their initial qualities.

- A model that complies with the anti-waste law

Despite the implementation of the AGEC law in several industries, the recycling rate of used business furniture is struggling to exceed 16%. Our model, based on recycling, upcycling and reconditioning of ergonomic chairs, helps companies comply with their obligations under the anti-waste law now.

Inclusive seating

ErgoSanté has always been concerned about the needs of employees and workers with disabilities. The group has kept this approach when creating EcoSiège. Our company operates the first and only seat reconditioning workshop recognized as an Adapted Company in France.

More than 55% of the employees of our factory in Anduze are disabled. For this reason, our refurbished chairs are especially suitable for small and medium-sized businesses and companies that wish to promote their environmental and inclusion policies.

No compromise on quality, comfort and reliability

The ergonomic chairs recycled by EcoSiège recover their original qualities. These used seats offer a level of comfort and safety comparable, if not better than new models.

Some models even benefit from a beneficial upgrade for our customers. Seats without headrests or 4D armrests can be fitted with these new functions in our workshop. As a sign of our commitment to quality, we offer a one-year warranty on all seats reconditioned by us, regardless of the brand.

 

WearRAcon 2023 was held March 30-31 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year, robotics equipment manufacturers showcased start-ups and companies specializing in innovative ergonomic hardware. ErgoSanté took advantage of this forum to unveil two new products - the HAPO Sensor and the HAPO Up-front - and to announce the opening of a production site in North Carolina.

A new production plant in Wilmington starting in June 2023

ErgoSanté 's American dream is not a mystery. Samuel Corgne, director and founder, has always displayed his ambitions and the opening of a factory in the United States is one of his priority objectives. Our products have been exported to Uncle Sam's country since 2021, first within the Worksmart Innovations network, then with the help of NUVOour current exclusive distributor in North America. The opening of a production site in the United States is part of an internationalization process that has been underway for the past two years.

The plant will be located in Wilmington, North Carolina. It will be fully operational by June 2023. However, ErgoSanté is already producing exoskeleton parts "Made in US" in the workshop in question. Our teams are using 3D printing, in collaboration with the HAPOLAB R&D branch. The first 100% U.S.-made exoskeletons will leave the Wilmington facility starting in June.

Our American customers will then be able to order and have delivered ergonomic equipment " Made in US ", manufactured by local technicians. This organization is in line with our global strategy, which favors local production and proximity to users. ErgoSanté is banking heavily on the development of the passive exoskeleton market in the United States. According to forecasts by Transparency Market Research, this market should represent a turnover of "745.6 million dollars over the next 10 years", assures Samuel Corgne in the columns of the newspaper Les Echos.

ErgoSanté 's presence in America should also help companies and workers to better prevent and treat work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The direct cost of MSDs to the U.S. economy is estimated at $50 billion annually. MSD-related injuries generate up to $225 billion in lost productivity.

Press Release: 

EN : https://ergosante.fr/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23.03.30_CP-ErgoSante_WearRAcon_nvll-prod-USA.pdf

ANG: https://ergosante.fr/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23.03.28_Press-release-ErgoSante_WearRAcon.pdf

 

 

The market for exoskeletons for medical and/or ergonomic purposes is growing steadily. Worldwide, excluding the United States, sales are increasing by 20% each year. This sector of the future is attracting several players, all determined to get a piece of the pie. However, by wanting to make too much money, some manufacturers fall into the trap of sensationalism and sales arguments devoid of any scientific logic.

ErgoSanté does not want to make the same mistake and prefers to equip its customers with a system that allows them to track, measure and evaluate the data of exoskeleton use. This new device was presented at WearRAcon 23 under the name HAPO Sensor. The equipment in question embeds several sensors that calculate the frequency and intensity of use of an exoskeleton.

HAPO Sensor measures the assistance provided by the posture harness. The objective data collected by the sensors is synthesized and compiled into an analysis report accessible on a smartphone. These real-time statistics show users the attenuation effect of theErgoSanté exoskeleton, expressed in kilograms or as a percentage. Bérenger Le Tellier, our scientific manager, is adamant on this point. This "science-based" data will be essential to establish the effectiveness of our exoskeletons in real-life conditions.

Press Release: https://ergosante.fr/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23.03.30_CP-ErgoSante_WearRAcon_nvll-prod-USA.pdf

After months of development, ErgoSanté has unveiled the new exoskeleton HAPO Up-Front at the WearRAcon 2023. As its name suggests, this model was designed primarily to support the upper limbs when working at height. This passive exoskeleton is actually available in two versions, depending on the desired use.

HAPO UP

The variant HAPO UP variant promises permanent assistance for overhead arm movements. An improved version of our previous Shiva model, the HAPO Up consists of a lumbar belt reinforced with composite blade arms, the structure of which is inspired by bee cells. This exoskeleton provides infallible support up to 180° horizontally and between 60 and 180° in height. The passive and adjustable system reduces shoulder strain by up to -40% for work that requires the arms to be held above the head. The reduction in stress reaches -28% for light load movements.

HAPO FRONT

For its part, the HAPO Front is based on a harness system, consisting of a lumbar belt and straps to be attached to the arms. These two elements are connected by two composite springs, both resistant and intuitive. The HAPO Front provides relief for elbows, shoulders and upper limbs when working in a "arms forward" posture repeatedly or for several minutes. This posture harness does not restrict the movement of the arms, which can move up to 135° in height and 180° horizontally.

The UP and FRONT modules of this exoskeleton are interchangeable. This means that you can order the HAPO UP or the HAPO FRONT individually and still have the option of adding the missing module to your exoskeleton later. Changing from FRONT to UP - or vice versa - is done in a few minutes, without the use of any tools.

Press Release: https://ergosante.fr/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/23.03.30_CP-ErgoSante_WearRAcon_nvll-prod-USA.pdf

Do you work from home or in an open space? Discover here three tips to complete your ergonomic installation and protect your eyes at the office!  

Whether we use a computer, a tablet or a projector, screens are now at the heart of our daily professional life. This overexposure is not without consequences for our visual health! Tingling, trembling, heavy eyelids or blurred vision are the first signs of eye fatigue. If not taken seriously, it can lead to chronic migraines or visual disorders such as myopia. It is therefore important to protect your eyes, regardless of your work environment. Adopt a few simple reflexes that will ensure your well-being and productivity!

1. Question its installation and positioning

You probably didn't see it coming, but an adapted posture is essential to keep your eyes healthy. Too close to the screen or curled up in front of it, these positions have very harmful impacts on our visual health. Discreetly integrated throughout our working day, these positions create a totally unbalanced vision. An upright work posture will effectively relieve both your back pain and your eye problems.

In order to sit properly, you will first need to adjust your ergonomic chair for comfortable seating. Once this is done, you will need to adjust your monitors and briefcases. There are many accessories available for this purpose. For example, use monitor arms or PC stands to place yourself at a reasonable distance from your computer. These ingenious additions to the workstation will support the body in achieving healthy postures. Functional, they allow many adjustments to position your gaze in an optimal way. This position will avoid too much strain on your eyes, thus preventing headaches and visual fatigue.

The location of your desk can also affect your eye comfort. If possible, your monitor should be placed perpendicular to a window with curtains. This will allow you to benefit from direct natural light and avoid annoying reflections. Good visibility will considerably reduce the risks to your eyes. Therefore, avoid as much as possible workstations with their backs to the openings.

2. Benefit from sufficient and adapted ergonomic lighting

To protect your eyes, it is very important to ensure an ergonomic lighting design of your work environment. Whether at home or in an open space, good lighting will help you combat vision problems at work. It will be a source of well-being and will influence your health and performance.

The key to good lighting is to diversify the lighting. Taking into account the natural light, you must choose a varied artificial light. First, choose a main source that will diffuse ambient light. Your ceiling light must be efficient enough to illuminate without dazzling. In order to reduce contrasts and shadows, you must now add accent lighting. Reading lights, floor lamps or classic desk lamps will be essential to complete your visual comfort. Prefer adjustable lighting that can be quickly adapted to all your needs. These lighting compositions will offer a healthy and relaxing work environment for your vision.

3. Equip yourself with equipment to protect your eyes from blue light.

As you know, your screens emit blue light that can be harmful to your eyes. The omnipresence of this light source will increase the risk of serious eye diseases such as cataracts or retinal lesions. Fortunately, there are several tips to reduce the harmful effects of blue light.

First, you can set your computer to limit your exposure. Adjust the brightness according to your environment and the time of day. Very practical, you can also activate the "night shift" or "anti blue light filter" modes on your devices. These will warm up the brightness emitted by your screens to protect you from the ophthalmological dangers linked to their use.

To perfectly complete the protection of your eyes at the office, bet on anti blue light glasses. These will block the reflection of the blue-violet light of the light spectrum by preventing it from penetrating your eye. They will thus offer an additional safety to your work on PC. These protective glasses will effectively limit visual fatigue and the risks of premature aging of your eyes. Accessible to all and very easy to use, they are the idealergonomic accessory to preserve your eyes at the office!

Immobility and prolonged sitting make us vulnerable to many health problems: musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), severe back pain, tension, lack of tone... Many of these problems are the result of the integration of bad postures due to a lack of ergonomics in the office. It is therefore essential to set up a real ergonomic workstation to prevent risks and reduce discomfort. The purchase of a work chair will be one of the keys to the success of this approach. It will contribute to reduce the harm caused by the static position and will significantly increase the comfort of users.

From the simple traditional chair to the custom made chair, a multitude of choices are available to you. Before making a selection, you need to ask yourself the right questions: What are the qualities of a good ergonomic chair?

An office chair with a mechanism adapted to your use

In business or at home, no matter what the activity, it is important not to neglect your equipment. It must be adapted to your use and allow an ideal installation that will reduce the harmful effects on the body. For this purpose, office chairs offer a variety of appropriate mechanisms depending on the frequency of use. The more time you spend sitting, the better the mechanism of the chair must be in terms of support and support.

For any job of more than 4 hours, it is recommended to be equipped with an ergonomic tilt mechanism. These seats are very suitable, with permanent contact to ensure that the back is constantly supported against the backrest in order to follow the body's movements as closely as possible. Need individualized seat and backrest adjustment? Turn to asynchronous tilt chairs. Ideal for jobs that require a specific tilt, it allows you to adapt your seat to your current needs. For intensive use beyond 6 hours, you should opt for the synchronous mechanism . This mechanism is known to offer more comfort thanks to the simultaneous adjustment of all the components of the seat. The body remains in total support which facilitates the adoption of good postures.

In all cases, an off-center tilt structure is preferred for optimal dynamic support. It is also advisable to choose a model with an anti-return system for greater smoothness when returning to an upright position.

These functional technologies will allow you to adopt the best possible working positions. Chosen according to your needs, they will considerably reduce the appearance of chronic pathologies.

An ergonomic, adjustable and dynamic work chair

An ergonomic chair is a comfortable and design chair. But it is above all a chair that adapts to you and your way of working. Unlike a traditional chair, it conforms to different morphologies and thus prevents discomfort related to bad posture.

In order to achieve an ideal working posture, a good office chair must support the positioning of your entire body. The back, hips, legs, arms and even the head must be supported. If it is not custom-made, a "good chair" is 100% adjustable.

An efficient office chair has a backrest with integrated lumbar support, which is essential to compensate for the arching of the kidneys and avoid chronic back problems. The height and tension of the backrest should be adjustable to suit the user's height and weight for greater dynamism. In order to provide sufficient support to the thighs and pelvis, the seat should offer a seat translation to adjust depth and support surface. For more comfort, a functional chair can be completed with a headrest and multidimensional armrests. Adjustable, these ergonomic accessories effectively fight against tension and muscle fatigue in the neck, shoulder and arm areas. They allow to finalize a "right" position, to recover more quickly and to ensure the maintenance of parts of the body too often neglected.

Depending on your activities, the perfect chair may require a base with casters. They make short trips to work easy and provide effortless access to important office accessories and files.

An innovative office chair offering new ways of working

As we have seen, sitting for long periods of time is not suitable for humans and can lead to many ailments. Employees working all day in front of a screen are thus very exposed to all kinds of health problems. In order to protect them, other types of ingenious seats are available. 

The sit-stand or sit-kneel positions allow a great freedom of movement by varying the different types of stations. Innovative, they bring together many health benefits: Reduced pressure on the lower limbs, maintenance of a neutral position of the spine, better oxygen supply, improved blood circulation ... These active seats are now recommended by ergonomists to reduce the risks associated with sedentary lifestyle and improve productivity among employees. Sitting dynamically, they will give you the impression of being more toned and will thus promote a real feeling of well-being in the office.

Other solutions such as ergonomic stools or ball seats are original alternatives to classic chairs. Playing on balance, they will train, strengthen and muscle different parts of the body in order to adopt a better natural posture.

A recent innovation in the field of work ergonomics, the exoskeletons are attracting more and more companies. Once the vector of futuristic images of augmented humanity, its use is now developing in the professional space. Many companies are equipping their employees with the aim of improving their working conditions.

What is an exoskeleton?

Exoskeletons are no longer just a sensational representation of science fiction! Today, they are used in many sectors in order to accompany man in his daily life. In the professional field, they are similar to a kind of armature or external harness designed to assist the user in certain arduous tasks. It is portable equipment that has been designed to relieve the user by reinforcing his physical capacities or by accompanying constraining postures. They allow to support the human body by developing its strength or its resistance.

There are many types of exoskeletons, all of which meet a specific demand. Their purpose is to reduce muscular stress in the areas of the body most frequently subject to pain (lumbar region, shoulders, arms, legs, etc.). Passive exoskeletons are the most common in the workplace. Unlike their "active" cousin, they are entirely biomechanical and non-motorized. They therefore use ingenious lever, spring or counterweight mechanisms to relieve the user's discomfort and fatigue. Affordable, lighter and versatile, they are very flexible.  

What are the sectors where exoskeletons can be considered?

The market for exoskeletons is enjoying strong growth in many areas of activity. Depending on the type chosen, they have the advantage of being used in all sectors that require physical constraints. They can also be considered for the professional inclusion of disabled employees.

Exoskeletons are used, for example, in the industrial and logistics sectors. As they have to perform many repetitive tasks, operators in these sectors are often subject to back problems and chronic fatigue. Passive assistance can therefore reduce their efforts and protect their health. Exoskeletons are also used in the construction and transport sectors, where there is no shortage of work accidents and MSD risks. They can be found in agricultural trades or in garages to assist producers and mechanics. 

Exoskeletons also have uses that are less well known to the general public. For example, they can be used in hospitals where they accompany caregivers and medical staff. Some light models are also used in craft or cutting and sewing workshops. They can even be adopted in fields requiring a prolonged standing posture such as the hotel industry or aesthetics.

What are the benefits for the health and well-being of employees?

The main objective of exoskeletons is to relieve operators in sectors known for their arduousness. To do this, they offer effective physical assistance in functions requiring high muscle activity.

This concrete help prevents the appearance of occupational diseases and MSD. The exoskeletons offer a reduction of muscular or articular pains on the part of the body concerned. By making arduous tasks safer and more efficient, they avoid the risk of work-related accidents. Companies are therefore well advised to use them! By offering a healthy and sustainable job to their employees, they considerably increase their economic and social performance!

In addition to their numerous health benefits, exoskeletons ensure ease of use and great versatility. Lightweight and intuitive, they guarantee the user great freedom of movement. In addition, they offer a variety of adjustment features that allow them to be perfectly adapted to each individual's morphology and needs. Passive exoskeletons will thus adapt to the individual who uses it to offer him/her an easier and safer work!

Schedule your trial by booking an appointment online: https://calendly.com/ergosante/programmer-une-presentation-de-l-exosquelette?month=2023-02

 

With the widespread development of open spaces, millions of employees now live together in shared work spaces. Offices are joined, partitions are removed and separations are removed to encourage professional collaboration. But in this environment of close proximity to employees, well-being and performance are not always guaranteed. Maintaining a certain amount of privacy can be tricky and cause a number of inconveniences. This problem, a source of de-concentration, must be taken into account during the process of designing an open space so that it proves to be harmonious and efficient.

In this article, you will find some tips on how to create a pleasant workstation, in accordance with your personal space needs.

Finding the balance between privacy and collaboration in open space

Since the 70's, shared work environments have been rapidly democratized thanks to their numerous advantages. Modern and friendly, the open space has broken the codes of traditional offices to bring a new breath of fresh air in companies. It favors communication and exchanges between all employees thanks to its great functionality. But does this professional layout model really guarantee an optimization of the quality of life at work?

On the other hand, some negative aspects can develop. For example, the close proximity of workstations is disconcerting for some employees. Noise pollution, the number of people coming and going and the overexposure to visual stimuli can become factors of discomfort in the office. These multiple sources of distractions negatively affect the involvement of workers by strongly impacting their physical and moral health. This blatant lack of privacy can lead to general exhaustion and a loss of concentration leading to a drop in productivity.

In order to welcome professionals in a healthy environment and to contribute to their happiness and success, the open space must be intelligently designed. The challenge is to preserve group synergy and conviviality while reinstating a private space. In this perspective, the company aims to establish a certain visual, spatial, informational and acoustic intimacy. The employee must be able to claim a space and control it. They must have some protection against external aggressions, be able to hold a confidential conversation and carry out their activities without disturbing others. For this, it is necessary to invest in ergonomic furniture that can be adapted to the needs of each individual.

Install separation panels to create private spaces

Dividers can be used tocreate a functional workstation that preserves the privacy of the employee. They create intimate spaces, especially in linear offices. These mobile screens combine simplicity of use, design and insulation to create clever delimitations between employees. Flexible, they adapt easily to all types of environments and are quickly installed to divide workstations side by side or face to face. These office partitions are available in many models and colors to satisfy everyone's desires and requirements. As aesthetic as they are practical, they become decorative elements in their own right, bringing freshness and originality to the premises. They are also perfect as a display surface to personalize the work space. Fun, they allow you to create a real little cocoon to boost well-being and productivity.

The separation panels improve the working conditions of the employees. They allow a return of intimacy in open environments for a better concentration. Very effective, they reduce noise and visual nuisance by creating an intimate bubble that encourages the development of creativity and reflection. For even more peace and quiet, these screens can be completed with soundproofing. Soundproofing panels and acoustic panels will complete the auditory well-being of the workers.

These ergonomic accessories allow employees to be alone without giving up the conviviality of the open space. Flexible furniture, they can be modulated according to the needs for more sharing or isolation. Employees can enjoy the group while keeping a personal space that they can arrange and decorate according to their tastes. These screens offer a healthy work environment with different degrees of privacy. 

Redefine the different work spaces with modular partitions

Installing dividers is a simple way toarrange coworking offices for more privacy. They allow to delimit and visually optimize the space according to the needs of the professionals. It intelligently organizes the open space in order to delimit the different zones. Versatile, they can be easily integrated into any interior.

These partitions are mobile accessories that allow for flexible workspace design. Fixed or on wheels, they can be moved in no time to meet all the expectations of employees. They are installed to define distinct spaces reserved for specific uses. These modular partitions can be used to mark out sharing rooms, relaxation areas or offices dedicated to a specific trade. They create a functional work environment that separates certain activities without breaking the warmth of the space.

For privacy, acoustic booths can be installed in addition. This innovative concept provides fully equipped booths allowing you to work without being exposed to external distractions. These soundproof rooms are used alone or as a meeting room to limit the nuisance emitted as well as the ambient noise. True havens of peace, they offer employees the possibility to isolate themselves completely in order to focus on their activities. They are available in a wide variety of shapes to perfectly match the style of the open space. From ultra-modern boxes to natural alcoves, these cubicles will ensure privacy, calm and concentration to their users.