21 October 2025

Speaker Presentation at the SASA AGM Seminar on Ergonomics Strategies for Occupational Health in Hong Kong

We are excited to share the highlights from the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) seminar of The Society of Accredited Safety Auditors Limited, featuring Dr. Justine Chim as our esteemed speaker. The seminar, titled "Ergonomics Strategies for Occupational Health in Hong Kong," successfully brought together professionals committed to enhancing workplace safety and employee well-being.

Dr. Chim delivered an insightful presentation on the importance of ergonomics in occupational health, emphasizing practical strategies that can be implemented in various work environments. Attendees gained valuable knowledge on how to effectively integrate ergonomics into their health and safety practices, ultimately fostering a culture of well-being.

The engagement and discussions during the seminar were inspiring, demonstrating a collective commitment to improving occupational health standards in Hong Kong.

We extend our gratitude to Dr. Justine Chim for her impactful presentation and to all participants for their contributions to a fruitful dialogue.

20 October 2025

Exciting Research Publication to Share

We are excited to announce the release of Dr Justine Chim's latest paper, in light of the Occupational Health and Ergonomics for Work From Home

As WFH has gained popularity, research has largely focused on office environments, leaving a gap in understanding the home settings of homeworkers. This study aims to fill that gap. We investigated the relationship between home workstation satisfaction, environmental comfort, and the physical and psychological well-being of homeworkers.

Data was collected from 222 homeworkers through online questionnaires during the fifth wave of COVID-19. We utilised Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analysis to examine the associations.

Key Findings:

> Home workstation satisfaction positively correlates with physical well-being but not significantly with psychological well-being.

> Home environmental comfort is positively correlated with both physical and psychological well-being.

Implications for Practice:

> Organisations should implement WFH policies and ergonomics programs with professional guidance.

> Homeworkers should focus on creating appropriate workstations and maintain good work practices.

> Designers can contribute by developing innovative solutions that enhance work-life balance in shared living environments.

I invite you to read the full paper for a more in-dept these findings and their implications. Your feedback and insights are greatly appreciated!

Chim, J.M.Y. (2025). A Decade Update on the Musculoskeletal Health of Office Employees in Hong Kong. In: Jin, S., Kim, J.H., Kong, YK., Park, J., Yun, M.H. (eds) Proceedings of the 22nd Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, Volume 3. IEA 2024. Springer Series in Design and Innovation, vol 41. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-9330-6_7

13 October 2025

Success of the Occupational Health and Employee Well-being Seminar!

I am excited to share that our recent seminar, "6Ws Ergonomics Strategies for Occupational Health and Employee Well-being," organised by the Hong Kong Occupational Safety and Health Association HKOSHA and IVE Engineering, with support from the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association HKPA, was a resounding success!

We had an engaging evening on October 13, 2025, during which we explored the critical role of ergonomics in enhancing workplace health and productivity. The 6Ws approach (What, Why, Who, When, Where, and How) provided a structured framework for understanding and implementing effective ergonomics strategies, which the sharing answered the 6Ws questions on:

•1st W: What is ergonomics and employee well-being?

•2nd W: Why are occupational ergonomics vital for employee well-being? 

•3rd W: How to apply occupational ergonomics in the workplace?

•4th W: Who is involved in the application of healthy workplace ergonomics?

•5th W: When should we implement ergonomics to improve workplace health? 

•6th W: Where should ergonomics principles be applied? 

Attendees benefited from:

> Real-life case studies showcasing successful ergonomic interventions.

> Insightful discussions on key OSH regulations related to manual handling and display screen equipment.

> Practical strategies to foster a culture of well-being within their organisations.

It was inspiring to see so many professionals committed to creating healthier work environments for their teams. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the discussions!

Let’s continue to prioritise ergonomics and make our workplaces safer and more supportive for everyone. Together, we can truly safeguard our greatest asset: our people.

1 October 2025

New Research Alert!

I am excited to share my recently published paper investigating the musculoskeletal health conditions of office workers in Hong Kong. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of occupational health trends over the past decade, revealing some alarming findings.

Key highlights include:

• 95% of office workers spend over six hours on computing tasks daily, with 75% reporting musculoskeletal symptoms since 2015.

• The neck, lower back, and shoulders emerged as the most commonly affected areas.

• For homeworkers, 83% reported working on computers for six hours or more, with 63% experiencing similar symptoms.

• Notably, 74% of office workers reported shoulder discomfort, while 51.4% of homeworkers cited neck issues, likely due to the prevalence of laptop use.

These findings underscore the urgent need for improved ergonomic practices in both traditional and remote work settings. Furthermore, 18% of office workers and 26% of homeworkers experiencing discomfort sought medical consultation.

As we continue to adapt to changing work environments, let’s prioritize musculoskeletal health and advocate for better workplace ergonomics.

I invite you to read the full paper for a deeper understanding of, these critical issues. Your thoughts and feedback are welcome!

Reference

Chim, J.M.Y. (2025). A Decade Update on the Musculoskeletal Health of Office Employees in Hong Kong. In: Jin, S., Kim, J.H., Kong, YK., Park, J., Yun, M.H. (eds) Proceedings of the 22nd Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, Volume 3. IEA 2024. Springer Series in Design and Innovation, vol 41. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-9330-6_7

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-96-9330-6_7#citeasprioritise

18 December 2024

Celebrating 15 Years of Excellence at Chim's Ergonomics and Safety Limited

Today, we proudly celebrate the 15th anniversary of Chim's Ergonomics and Safety Limited, a leader in providing ergonomics consulting services. This milestone marks a significant chapter in our journey, reflecting our dedication to enhancing workplace safety and comfort.

Since our inception, we have committed ourselves to transforming workplaces, ensuring that employees thrive in safe and ergonomic environments. Our innovative solutions and expert guidance have positively impacted countless organizations, promoting productivity and well-being across various industries.

This achievement is a testament to the hard work and passion of our dedicated team. Their unwavering commitment has not only driven our success but has also built a strong reputation in the ergonomics field.

As we celebrate our accomplishments, we look forward to the future with enthusiasm. We remain committed to advancing workplace safety and ergonomics, continuously striving for excellence in all that we do.

Thank you to our clients, local and international partners for being an integral part of our journey. Here’s to 15 years of success and to many more ahead!

  

18 Decemer 2023

Celebrating 14 Years of Excellence, Happy Anniversary to Chim's Ergonomics and Safety Limited

As we mark the 14th anniversary of our company, we're filled with an immense sense of pride and gratitude. Here's to celebrating not just our past achievements but also the exciting future that lies ahead. Happy 14th Anniversary!

20 February 2023

Journal Article: Prediction of Work from Home and Musculoskeletal Discomfort: An Investigation of Ergonomic Factors in Work Arrangements and Home Workstation Setups Using the COVID-19 Experience

Our Principal Consultant, Ms. Justine Chim, published an article to share the research on the work from home and musculoskeletal discomfort for office employees in Hong Kong. 

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity for office workers to experience work from home (WFH). The aims of this study are to investigate the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and the work conditions of homeworkers during WFH as well as to evaluate the association and predicted risk of ergonomic factors and MSD. A total of 232 homeworkers completed questionnaires. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the association and prediction of work arrangements and home workstation setups and musculoskeletal outcomes.

The result showed that 61.2% of homeworkers reported MSD while WFH. Because of the small living spaces in Hong Kong, 51% and 24.6% of homeworkers worked in living/dining areas and bedrooms, respectively, potentially affecting their work and personal life. Additionally, homeworkers adopted a flexible work style, but prolonged computer use while WFH. Homeworkers who used a chair without a backrest or a sofa could predict a significantly higher risk of MSD. The use of a laptop monitor posed about a 2 to 3 times higher risk of suffering from neck, upper back, and lower back discomfort than the use of a desktop monitor.

These results provide valuable information to help regulators, employers, homeworkers, and designers create better WFH guidelines, work arrangements, and home settings.

Reference:
Chim, J. M. Y., & Chen, T. L. (2023). Prediction of Work from Home and Musculoskeletal Discomfort: An Investigation of Ergonomic Factors in Work Arrangements and Home Workstation Setups Using the COVID-19 Experience. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(4), 3050. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043050

Download the full article at: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3050

18 December 2022

Happy Birthday to Chim's Ergonomics and Safety Limited

We have gone through 13^th years of consulting services to serve over 100 corporations locally and globally. We created significant history with the company for creating a safer and healthy workplace. We are looking forward to another ten years of working with our clients. Stay in touch with us at 852-3625 2024.

18 December 2021

Happy Birthday to Chim's Ergonomics and Safety Limited

We all made a lot of achievement in the last 12th months. It is the time of celeberation of our 12th anniversary and we are looking forward to create a better workplace environment with our clients.

Mixed mode of services are available now. Call us for onsite, virutal and online services. World without boundary, Our Services without boundary.

Let's go!

22 November 2021

Journal Article: Implementation of an Office Ergonomics Program to Promote Musculoskeletal Health: A Case Study in Hong Kong

Our Principal Consultant, Ms. Justine Chim, published an article to share the case study on the Implementation of FITS Model Office Ergonomics program in Hong Kong for a corporation with 2000 office staff.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS

An office ergonomics program was implemented at a multinational company in Hong Kong. The FITS Model office ergonomics program included four components: (1) F: Furniture Evaluation and Selection, wherein the ergonomist conducted a walkthrough review of furniture and environmental settings; (2) I: Individual Workstation Assessment, in which the office ergonomics guideline and educational video were developed. An interactive individual ergonomics workstation assessment included a health survey, and the assessor provided immediate recommendations for changes to workstation setup; (3) T: Training and Education; and (4) S: Stretching Exercises and Rest Breaks, which entailed classroom training to promote office ergonomics principles and demonstrate office stretching exercises.

A case study is described, included the steps to implement the program and highlights of the feedback from the project team gathered during mid-term and final evaluations. Lessons learned regarding program management and the limitations of the project intervention offer useful information for practitioners and companies.

Reference: Chim, J.M.Y., & Chen, T. (2021). Implementation of an Office Ergonomics Program to Promote Musculoskeletal Health: A Case Study in Hong Kong. IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors, 1–13. 

14 June 2021

IEA 2021 Paper: 6Ws in the Ergonomics Review of Macro and Micro Workplace Design (Published by Chim, J. M.Y., & Chen, T. (2021, June)) 

The application of ergonomics in the occupational setting concerns the understanding the fitting of workers and the components of a work system which include work task, workstation setting, workspace and work environment. Ergonomics considerations in the workplace design bring the benefits to minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, promote health and safety, create a worker-friendly workplace and enrich the employees’ wellbeing. The paper aims to summarize the systematic process to conduct an ergonomics review of workplace design proposals. Ergonomist applies theory, principles, data and methods to evaluate and review in the ergonomics review process.

The ergonomics review discussed in this paper has been used in newly designed control room, call center and offices. This paper will answer the following questions: (1) What are the objectives of ergonomics review of workplace design? (2) Why is ergonomics review of workplace design important? (3) Who should be involved in the ergonomics review of workplace design? (4) When should an ergonomics review of workplace design be conducted? (5) Where should be included in the ergonomics review of workplace design? (6) How should the ergonomics review of workplace design be conducted? Upon completion of the ergonomics review, the consolidated result and recommendations for improvement as well as the final decision of the design proposal should be well-documented for project reference in the next stage of the design process.

14 June 2021

IEA 2021 Paper : Occupational Disease Compensation and Update on the Musculoskeletal Health of Office Employees in Hong Kong (Published by Chim, J. M.Y., & Chen, T. (2021, June))