Often, exactly how you do your job can play a role in how you feel at the end of the day, or beyond.

Sitting or standing at a workstation, conducting repetitive tasks, or spending a lot of time in a car can effect a person’s job performance.

York County government’s human resources staff have begun a new program to evaluate employee workstations, with a view to formulating suggestions and options on how to help prevent long term injuries.

The staff recently received training on ergonomic assessment from Jim Toman, a loss control consultant with Maine Municipal Association, and then began to conduct evaluations, upon request.

Marion Bedard, the receptionist at York County Jail, was one of the first county employees to contact HR’s Doreen Staples and Jenn Elwell for an assessment.

Her desk is included within a large counter area in the reception area of the jail. It was built 20 years ago and designed so someone sitting at the workstation can see everyone who comes through the front door – just the way Bedard likes it.

The desk itself is original to the jail’s construction and in a u-shape configuration with her computer terminal on one side and the telephone system on the other. Sometimes, said Bedard, her shoulders hurt.

“They assessed my desk,” she said of Staples and Elwell. “And they’ll make suggestions.”

Ergonomics means designing jobs and workplaces to fit employees and the work that they do, instead of trying to change the worker to fit the job, according to the Maine Department of Labor.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration points out that musculoskeletal disorders that can arise in the workplace may affect muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons and can lead to a number of issues, from carpel tunnel to shoulder injuries and more.

York County government’s Human Resources Director Linda Hutchins-Corliss said the county has been conscious of ergonomics for some time and noted the county government has a diverse group of employees – from sheriff’s deputies to corrections staff, maintenance crews, and those who work in offices – to the district attorney’s office, the registries of deeds and of probate, and various departments within the government office building.

“The county has been supportive of purchasing risible work desks,” Hutchins-Corliss said as an example. The desks offer the flexibility of sitting or standing, with the work surface designed to be easily raised or lowered.

It is all in an attempt to preventing long term injuries, she said, noting. “This is a continuing effort to provide all employees with a safe, healthy working environment.”

“I think it is really important to provide ergonomic education to all staff,” said Elwell. not only at the outset, but following up, as well. “It’s all part of the wellness program.”

Tammy Wells is a media specialist for York County government.