The Ergonomics Ambassador
An ergonomics masseur is an employee who has taken a course to identify and prevent ergonomic problems in a workplace by guiding colleagues in correct work techniques, optimizing working postures and arranging the workplace appropriately. The role also involves contributing knowledge to the occupational health and safety organization (AMO) to create a more preventive effort against wear and tear and injuries.
What is the role of the ergonomics ambassador?
The idea is for all offices/departments/centres to have one or more ergonomic ambassadors. Ergonomics ambassadors are trained in:
- Office
- Laboratory
- Workshops and heavy lifting
The aim is to promote greater focus on ergonomic factors at DTU and illustrate that good ergonomics make a difference. This will lead to the accumulation of expertise, better utilization of furnishings and equipment, better movement and more variation, greater well-being and energy, and more satisfied employees. It can also lead to greater efficiency and reduced sick leave.
By having an ergonomics ambassador on site, employees will have easier access to ergonomics advice and experience a more rapid response to injury and strain.
The ergonomics ambassador is expected to:
- provide an ergonomic workplace assessment and adjust existing furnishings and equipment, and advise on the purchase of any ergonomic aids
- contribute expertise in relation to basic rules, frameworks and ergonomic factors
- give advice on the body and how to best protect against strain
- give advice on furnishings in relation to relocation, renovation or new construction
- evaluate situations where there is a need for more professional help
- be familiar with the working environment/ergonomics material available on DTU Inside
- understand and be able to use the purchasing system—unless the purchasing role has been assigned to someone else
- make their role clear to everyone, so they know who to contact—possibly via the location’s internal DTU Inside page
Network meetings are arranged for our ergonomic ambassadors. The aim of these is to equip our ergonomics ambassadors with the right expertise, and to introduce them to each other, so that they can assist each other across the network.
Support material has been prepared for all ergonomic ambassadors, including a leaflet to assist during ergonomic reviews of workstations. The leaflet is given to each person (not available electronically) together with the course certificate. A function description has also been prepared. This is a document that is agreed with the immediate manager covering how the ergonomics ambassadors should perform their duties, including time usage (where applicable).
Ergonomics ambassador course (Teaching is only in Danish)
Courses in office and laboratory ergonomics are offered each spring. Registration for these courses must be done via DTU Inside (theme: Working environment - is only visible as long as the course is open for registration).
It is expected that the future ergonomics ambassadors will physically participate in all sessions in order to receive the course certificate.
After the course, participants are invited to a get-well-started meeting with a focus on, among other things, DTU auxiliary tools and ends with a visit to the ergonomic showroom.
- Module 1: 10:00-16:00 (physical participation)
- Module 2: 10:00-16:00 (physical participation)
- Module 3: 2-hour get-well-started meeting incl. visit to the showroom
The target group is the occupational health and safety organization, and others with an interest in the area.
Teaching is only in Danish.
Contact
Ann-Rose Bøttcher Sport and Health Coordinator Campus Service Mobile: +45 40604928 arbot@dtu.dk