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Workplace evaluation and advice

Last updated on 24 March 2025
When you experience physical discomfort or pain during your work, it is advisable to (have someone) look at the setup of your workplace.

When performing intensively repetitive work, sitting behind a screen for a long time or having to deal with other physical strain (such as lifting, pulling, pushing), there is an increased risk of arm complaints, wrist complaints, neck complaints, back pain or shoulder complaints. With a workplace evaluation you can prevent or reduce complaints.

What is a workplace evaluation?

The workplace evaluation is a combination of optimal adjustment of a workplace with ergonomic assessment and practical advice on improving working posture and habits. Working conditions, work posture, workload, work tasks and working hours are taken into account.

With a workplace evaluation, the employee gets to know the risks, knows which measures are important to prevent or reduce complaints and receives practical information on how to actually accomplish this.

Want to request a workplace evaluation?

Do you experience pain during work or do you experience limitations in posture and movement? Discuss the options with your supervisor. A workplace evaluation always takes place after consultation of the employee with the supervisor and can be requested by the supervisor or by the employee. To schedule an appointment, an occupational health and safety advisor (OHS advisor, Arbo-adviseur) can be contacted via arbo.advies@vu.nl.

You can also visit an occupational health physician (OH physician) for a preventive consultation to get additional advice.

Workplace evaluation Health Safety and Environment, Arbo & Milieu

  • How does it work?

    First, the OHS advisor looks at the extent to which the workplace is suited to the work and identifies possible risks. An inventory is then made of whether the employee’s working posture and working method is efficient and the ergonomic conditions are used optimally, or whether the workplace needs to be adapted. Based on this, the OHS advisor gives advice on setting up the workplace ergonomically and improving work habits.

    The workplace evaluation contains:

    • Personal acquaintance with the employee and inventory of the complaint(s) in relation to work.
    • Analysis of the employee's working habits and ergonomic conditions.
    • Ergonomic adjustment of the workplace (e.g. chair adjustment, favourable working height, use of tools, position of mouse, keyboard).
    • Raising awareness of beneficial work habits, such as efficient use of muscles, less strain on joints and variation in postures.
    • Practical advice/exercises, aimed at applying new insights and learning skills.
    • If ergonomic accessories are recommended, a free trial placement can be arranged if desired.
  • Feedback of the evaluation

    Together with the employee and the supervisor, bottlenecks and possible solutions are examined. This means looking at the root cause and providing realistic recommendations for improvement. The OHS advisor reports the outcome of the workplace evaluation to the supervisor and the employee. If the OH physician has initiated the workplace investigation, also the OH physician receives the report.

    The feedback focuses on personalized advice regarding improving work posture, work habits, the ergonomic setup of the workplace, any bottlenecks and related advice. The advice is provided within two weeks of the workplace evaluation (depending on the case and possible measures to be taken). Preferably, the OHS advisor has direct contact with the supervisor.

  • Evaluation and e-consultation

    An evaluation with the employee follows within 6 weeks after the workplace evaluation. If desired, the OHS advisor will visit again. By ensuring a well-designed and safe workplace and healthy working habits, productivity is promoted and the risk of absenteeism is reduced.

Health, Safety and Environment

Contact: by telephone Monday-Friday from 09.00-12.00

020 59 89008 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM)

0E-25
Van der Boechorststraat 1
1081 BT Amsterdam

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