Finding the Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your Office Setup

Alexander MacGregor uses his training in occupational therapy to redesign workspaces and prevent conditions such as carpal tunnel, sciatica and neck pain.

Name: Alexander MacGregor
Job: Occupational Therapist and Ergonomic Consultant
Company: Hawaii Ergonomics

His Mission: Alexander MacGregor earned his master’s in occupational therapy at Loma Linda University in California in 2016 before moving to O‘ahu to serve the island’s injured workers. He and his colleagues help people with workplace injuries like carpal tunnel; sciatica; and neck, back and shoulder pain, and also provide education on healthy ergonomic practices that can prevent these musculoskeletal conditions.

“While working in occupational therapy and clinics helping others recover from injuries, I came to realize that a lot of the conditions I was treating were attributed to the client’s profession,” MacGregor says. “They were spending upward of 40 or more hours a week completing office work at a computer workstation, which for many working in an office, seems relatively safe – but improper posture and poorly designed workspaces can really result in painful conditions over time.”

His Work: MacGregor began working as an Ergonomic Consultant for Hawaii Ergonomics in 2018. The company offers virtual and in-person ergonomic assessments and information sessions to educate clients on best practices for healthy workplace efficiency and how to reduce injuries. They assess work-fromhome and office workplaces, reviewing computer, desk and seating arrangements.

“I’ll usually make any required adjustments that I’m able to do and also educate the client on how to better improve their ergonomic body positioning to maximize comfort. I also bring along a bag with some ergonomic equipment options for them to try. Ergonomics isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all approach, so after spending time with the client, we then create a personalized report and highlight proper ergonomic positioning and the most appropriate equipment and vendor recommendations for them.”

Ergonomics: He offers an example. “If a worker’s keyboard or mouse is not positioned at the correct angle or height, it can cause added strain on the wrists in the form of a compressed nerve, which limits oxygenation and blood flow to the muscles. It starts as discomfort but develops over time and, in the long term, it can become a painful and debilitating condition, resulting in decreased workplace productivity and absenteeism.”

While some clients consider short-term solutions like massage, chiropractic treatment or even surgery, he says that by redesigning workspaces, the company helps workers to be more comfortable and efficient, as well as more satisfied with their jobs.

“The employees usually report that they’re more engaged and they make fewer mistakes. It’s good for business’s bottom line.”

Correcting Myths: MacGregor says social media is an unreliable source for ergonomic information. “I might walk into an office and find somebody is sitting on a medicine ball expecting that what they read online will help improve their comfort at work. There’s a lot of misconceptions out there on social media as far as what’s best for ergonomic standards, but we know all the science behind the education we’re providing.”

Impact: “When we find clients the perfect office chair, or if they report back, ‘Hey, I haven’t had any discomfort this week with my new setup,’ it really just keeps me motivated to keep spreading the word about our services. It’s good for businesses to have employees who are comfortable, healthy, happy and productive on the job, instead of coming home fatigued and in pain. A lot of people want to work really hard so they can enjoy their retirement, but we say, ‘Don’t let discomfort lead to disability.’ ”