However, ergonomic equipment -- equipment whose design/features address potential computer workstation problems attributable to posture or repetitive movements -- can still be ordered through your regular departmental equipment and supply requests. These will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and approved as the budget permits.

The Ergonomics & Safety Committee, meanwhile, continues to maintain a list of suggested workstation equipment, and we urge you to contact any of the committee members for assistance in assessing the potential need and usefulness of this equipment. Please contact David Nolan (danolan@uga.edu, 542-0600) to arrange to check out demonstration equipment.

In the absence of the "equipment call" process, the Committee would like to especially encourage Libraries' departments to do two things:

1. When submitting regular equipment requests, you can raise the priority of your request if you can specify that the equipment is needed specifically to bring your area up to a known ergonomic standard – for example, if you still need ergo chairs or glare screens in your area to accommodate all staff.
2. Remind your employees how important it is that they report these type of posture/repetitive-stress injuries. DO NOT WAIT AND HOPE THAT IT WILL GO AWAY. Instead:
   1. Report work-related wrist or shoulder pains, back or neck problems;
   2. Enter an injury report by visiting Becky Wortham in the Libraries' Human Resources Office (forms and explanation of the process available at http://www.libs.uga.edu/staff/accident.html);
   3. See one of the approved doctors on the University's Panel of Physicians for Workers' Compensation (available at http://www.busfin.uga.edu/benefits/workers_comp_panel.pdf).
   
   Taking these steps as soon as you suspect that you have an injury can prevent the worsening of a condition and facilitate necessary treatment/therapy. Furthermore, it better enables the Libraries to monitor and respond to potentially unhealthy workplace conditions.

Also: when an employee files a Workers' Compensation report for an injury due to poor ergonomic conditions or repetitive-stress, the Committee urges supervisors to contact Workers' Compensation at Human Resources, 542-7909, to request an ergonomic workstation evaluation and to get their expert advice as to whether a particular type of equipment would be useful in eliminating an existing health threat. They do not have the resources to evaluate workstations for preventive care, but they will do so in cases where an injury has been documented and a threat of future injuries exists.

Thank you for your patience and assistance,

The Libraries' Ergonomics & Safety Committee