Healthy Boiler

An ergonomic workspace is good for your health

As described by Radiological and Environmental Management (REM) at Purdue, the purpose of ergonomics is to study people in their work environment and make determinations of whether the worker is using their work area in the most efficient manner and without risk or injury. The goal of ergonomics is to help prevent soft tissue injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by sudden or sustained exposure to force, vibration, repetitive motion and awkward posture. Users at risk for MSDs associated with computer use may experience some of the following symptoms:

  • Blurred or double vision
  • Dry, itchy or sore eyes
  • Headache
  • Leg discomfort
  • Numbing of hands and feet
  • Pain in wrists, forearms, elbows, neck or back
  • Reduced grip strength in the hands
  • Reduced range of motion in the shoulders, neck or back
  • Swelling or stiffness in the joints

As a result of COVID-19, many Purdue employees are working from home on a regular basis. With that in mind, REM has put together a list of tips to help make your workstations at home more comfortable. See the Home Office Ergonomics section of the REM website for details, which includes information on stretches and flexes.

If you would like a personalized home assessment from REM, send a picture of yourself sitting at your home workstation to remergo@purdue.edu.

More information on ergonomics in general is available on REM’s Ergonomics web page. In addition, the Mayo Clinic offers a how-to guide for office ergonomics, and Ergonomic Trends provides its Creating the Perfect Ergonomic Workspace – The Ultimate Guide.

Behavioral health resources available

Behavioral health – one of the five pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program – plays a key role in overall employee well-being. In an effort to help Purdue employees manage stress, anxiety and more, see the recent email sent from Human Resources. Additionally, the Mental Health Resources web page offers a variety of available resources.

Resources to assist students

Faculty and staff, who work with students or have a student at home, can direct students to the resources below for behavioral health assistance. Note: LiveHealth Online Psychology and LiveHealth Online Psychiatry services are also available to Purdue students who are covered on a Purdue Graduate Student or Student Health Plan. Mental health visits through LiveHealth Online are covered at 100 percent on the Purdue student health plan.   

Office of the Dean of Students:

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS):

Mark your calendars! Mammography event scheduled for summer 

The University continues its work to increase the mammogram rate for the Purdue community, and is once again partnering with Franciscan Health Lafayette Breast Center to provide convenient access to preventive (nondiagnostic) mammogram screenings. The 2021 event, which supports the physical health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program, is tentatively scheduled for June. More information will be shared once details are finalized.

Take advantage of the additional ‘Wellness Benefit’ from Voya

As part of your Critical Illness Insurance, you can qualify for a “Wellness Benefit.” Voya will provide an annual benefit of $50 per calendar year for taking one of the eligible health screening/prevention measures. Voya will pay only one health screening benefit per covered person per calendar year. For example, annual physical exam, mammogram, colonoscopy, pap test, prostate exam, hemoglobin A1C, blood panel, etc. Information on eligible health screenings and how to file a claim can be found on the here.

  • Don’t forget, if you are participating in the 2021 Healthy Boiler Program to earn the wellness incenctive and have already had your annual physical (and biometrics screening if desired) completed, you have already had a qualifying screening/prevention measure taken. If not, you can plan to earn both the Healthy Boiler incentive -- complete your annual physical (and biometrics screening if desired) by December 31, 2021 -- and the Critical Illness Insurance Health Screening Benefit in 2021.
  • Note: Employees who had MetLife Critical Illness in 2020, can still file claims for services in 2020 as long as they are within 1 year from date of service to receive the Health Screening Benefit from MetLife. For instruction on how to submit a claim, see the “MetLife Critical Illness claim process” handout. To file a claim, visit mybenefits.metlife.com or call 866-626-3705. 
  • Questions can be directed to Human Resources at hr@purdue.edu, HRHelp (secure email) or by phone at 765-494-2222 or toll-free at 877-725-0222.