Ergonomic Assessment Training Course

Develop a structured understanding of workplace ergonomics with flexible online training from CPD Courses. This ergonomic assessment training course examines how work, equipment and environments can be reviewed and adapted to suit the people using them.

The course covers ergonomic principles, workplace assessment, hazard identification, job analysis, improvement planning and workstation design. Browse our complete range of online CPD courses to find further learning opportunities that support your professional-development goals.

Workplace ergonomics considers how tasks, equipment, tools and environments interact with human capabilities and limitations. A suitable ergonomic approach can help organisations identify sources of discomfort or strain and consider proportionate improvements.

This course begins with an introduction to ergonomics, the assessment cycle and relevant workplace responsibilities. It then explores how ergonomic hazards can be identified through job analysis and how improvement plans may combine engineering, organisational and individual measures.

Later units examine the integration of ergonomics into workplace practices, including change management and programme review. The final unit focuses on workstations, tools, vibration and noise.

Learners seeking broader occupational-safety knowledge can also explore our health and safety courses.

Who Is This Course Suitable For?

This course may be suitable for:

• Managers responsible for workplace arrangements
• Health and safety representatives
• Hr professionals supporting employee wellbeing
• Facilities and workplace coordinators
• Office managers
• Employees involved in workstation reviews
• Remote and hybrid-working coordinators
• Supervisors responsible for physical work activities
• Business owners seeking a stronger understanding of ergonomics
• Learners considering further occupational health and safety training

The course introduces ergonomic assessment principles but does not qualify the learner automatically as a professional ergonomist, occupational-health specialist or statutory safety adviser.

What Will You Learn?

By completing the course, you will explore how to:

• Explain the purpose of workplace ergonomics;
• Recognise factors that may contribute to ergonomic hazards;
• Understand the stages of an ergonomic assessment cycle;
• Examine work activities through job analysis;
• Identify physical and organisational risk factors;
• Consider engineering, organisational and individual controls;
• Develop a targeted ergonomic improvement plan;
• Support ergonomic change within a workplace;
• Review the progress of an ergonomics programme;
• Recognise considerations relating to sitting and standing;
• Understand basic lifting and transporting principles;
• Examine workstation design;
• Select tools with ergonomic characteristics in mind;
• Recognise potential effects associated with vibration and noise.

What Is an Ergonomic Assessment?

An ergonomic assessment is a structured review of how a person interacts with their work. It considers more than posture or chair position.

Depending on the task, an assessment may examine:

• The work being completed
• How often and for how long it is performed
• Working positions and movements
• Force or physical effort
• Repetitive activity
• Equipment and tools
• Workstation layout
• Lighting, noise and temperature
• Work organisation
• Individual requirements
• Reports of pain or discomfort

The findings should help identify practical improvements and priorities. A checklist can support the process, but it does not replace competent judgement or follow-up.

The Ergonomic Assessment Cycle

A practical assessment cycle may involve:

• Defining the activity or workstation being assessed
• Consulting the people who perform the work
• Observing normal working practices
• Identifying ergonomic hazards
• Considering who may be affected
• Evaluating existing controls
• Selecting proportionate improvements
• Recording actions and responsibilities
• Checking whether changes have worked
• Reviewing the assessment when circumstances change

Assessments may need to be revisited when equipment, employees, workloads, locations or working methods change.

Identifying Ergonomic Hazards

Ergonomic hazards can arise when the demands of work are poorly matched to the person completing it.

Examples may include:

• Prolonged static postures
• Repeated movements
• Excessive reaching
• Awkward working positions
• Unsuitable workstation dimensions
• Forceful exertion
• Poorly positioned tools
• Vibration
• Inadequate recovery time
• Difficult manual-handling activities
• Excessive or distracting noise

A reported symptom does not always identify a single cause. Concerns should be considered carefully, and medical advice may be necessary where pain, numbness, weakness or other symptoms occur.

Job Analysis

Job analysis involves examining what work is actually performed rather than relying only on a written job description.

Useful evidence may include:

• Observation
• Employee consultation
• Task frequency and duration
• Equipment specifications
• Incident and absence records
• Previous assessments
• Maintenance information
• Photographs or measurements where appropriate

The assessment should reflect normal work, including predictable busy periods and variations in how tasks are completed.

Selecting Ergonomic Improvements

The most effective improvement depends on the hazard and working context. Options may include redesigning the task, changing the layout, introducing suitable equipment or reorganising how work is scheduled.

Possible measures include:

• Positioning frequently used items within easier reach
• Providing adjustable equipment
• Reducing unnecessary repetition
• Varying activities where appropriate
• Improving tool selection
• Changing storage heights
• Reducing loads or using handling equipment
• Providing suitable information and instruction
• Reviewing staffing or workflow arrangements

Purchasing a new chair or accessory does not automatically resolve an ergonomic problem. Equipment must suit the task and individual, be adjusted correctly and form part of a wider assessment.

Computer and Display-Screen Ergonomics

Computer ergonomics considers how screens, furniture, input devices, work routines and environmental conditions affect the user.

A workstation review may consider:

• Screen height, distance and visibility
• Keyboard and mouse position
• Chair adjustment and support
• Desk space
• Lighting and reflections
• Document placement
• Software usability
• The duration and pattern of display-screen work
• Individual accessibility needs

In Great Britain, employers have specific responsibilities for qualifying display-screen equipment users. The Health and Safety Executive advises that the whole workstation, the work being performed and the worker’s individual requirements should be considered. HSE workstation-assessment guidance

Sitting, Standing and Movement

No single position is appropriate for every person or task. Remaining in the same position for an extended period may contribute to discomfort even when the workstation has been adjusted carefully.

Appropriate arrangements may include changes of activity, opportunities for movement and equipment suited to the work. Standing workstations should also be assessed rather than assumed to be automatically healthier.

Employees experiencing persistent symptoms should report them according to workplace procedures and seek suitable professional advice.

Lifting and Transporting

Ergonomics can contribute to the assessment of lifting and transporting activities, but safe handling depends on the specific load, environment, employee and task.

Before handling activities are performed, organisations may need to consider:

• Whether the activity can be avoided
• Load characteristics
• Lifting frequency
• Carrying distance
• Available space
• Floor conditions
• Individual capability
• Mechanical assistance
• Team-handling arrangements

This course does not replace task-specific manual-handling training or a suitable and sufficient workplace risk assessment.

Learners requiring more focused coverage can explore our manual handling and ergonomics course.

Tools, Vibration and Noise

Tool design may influence grip, working position, effort and vibration exposure. Selection should consider the task, user, duration of use and manufacturer’s instructions.

Noise and vibration are specialist health and safety subjects with their own assessment requirements. General ergonomic knowledge can improve awareness, but formal evaluation may require competent occupational health, hygiene or safety professionals.

Implementing Ergonomic Change

An improvement is more likely to succeed when affected employees understand the reason for it and can provide feedback.

Implementation may involve:

• Explaining the identified concern
• Consulting employees
• Assigning responsibility
• Agreeing realistic timescales
• Providing equipment and training
• Checking that changes are used correctly
• Reviewing whether the improvement has reduced the issue
• Making further adjustments where necessary

Ergonomics should be treated as an ongoing process rather than a one-time workstation exercise.

Study Method and Flexibility

The course is delivered online, allowing you to study remotely around existing professional or personal commitments.

Online study can help you build theoretical knowledge, but some ergonomic-assessment skills also require workplace observation, supervised practice and access to appropriate assessment tools.

Professional-Development Value

This course may support professional development for people whose responsibilities include:

• Workplace assessment
• Employee wellbeing
• Health and safety support
• Facilities management
• Office management
• Workstation coordination
• Workplace design
• Risk-control implementation

Completion can provide evidence of relevant learning, but it does not guarantee employment, promotion or competence for a particular specialist role.

Related Learning

For broader occupational safety development, explore our complete range of workplace health and safety courses.

Learners responsible for identifying wider workplace risks may also consider the hazard-identification course.

Why Choose This Course?

This course provides:

flexible online study;

no stated entry requirements;

four structured ergonomics units;

coverage of assessment and job analysis;

guidance on workplace improvement planning;

workstation, tool, vibration and noise awareness;

QLS and CPD certificate options described;

evidence of successful course completion.

Begin Your Ergonomic Assessment Training

Develop a structured understanding of ergonomic hazards, job analysis, improvement planning and workstation design through flexible online learning.

Enrol when you are ready to begin the Workplace Ergonomics course.