Do you need a referral for workplace ergonomic assessment?

An assessor reviews your workstation, posture, screen and keyboard position, chair support, reaching, lifting, and the tasks that bring on discomfort. The assessor may suggest adjustments, movement breaks, equipment changes, or work techniques. If symptoms suggest an injury or medical condition, a clinician can add diagnosis and treatment advice.

Ask your employer's occupational health, human resources, or workplace safety contact whether an assessment is available. You can also ask a physiotherapy service or occupational-medicine clinician about direct booking. Describe your duties, workstation setup, symptom pattern, and any changes already attempted. Ask who receives the report and what information remains confidential.

Seek medical assessment for new weakness, persistent numbness, loss of coordination, severe pain after an injury, or symptoms that disturb sleep or continue away from work. Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or sudden one-sided weakness requires emergency care rather than an ergonomic review.

Ask whether your symptoms fit a workstation problem, which changes to try first, whether physiotherapy is appropriate, and when you should be reassessed if the adjustments do not help.