Workspace Comfort and Ergonomics
The science of ergonomics is focused on designing work environments to fit the worker's need for comfort, health and safety. Find out how to apply good ergonomic principles to create a pleasant and healthy work environment.
What is ergonomics?
A Comfort Zone for People
Ergonomics is the science of work-removing barriers to quality, productivity and human performance by fitting products, tasks, and environments to people. Ergonomic design is all about making the work environment and specific job tasks fit the worker's need for comfort, health and safety. In other words, "making objects work for the person" rather than "making the person fit the objects."
Get Physically Fit
Make your workplace work for you by ensuring your chair, desk, computer, phone and lighting all fit the needs of your body's six most important areas:
- Eyes
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Wrist
- Back
- Legs
Your comfort is also determined by how you protect each one of these areas by assuming correct ergonomic postures.
Keep Yourself Ergonomically Correct
Use this list to remind yourself to pay attention to how you're sitting. Post it near your desk where you interact with your computer and other equipment. (See below: "Make Yourself Comfortable" for tips on how to use ergonomics in these areas.)
- Line of Sight
- Neck Posture
- Arm Posture
- Back Support
- Leg Support
- Foot Position
- Glare
- Viewing Distance
- Work Surface
- Mouse Position
- Keyboard
- Leg Space
Good Ergonomics Make Good Economics!
A Healthy Workplace Keeps Working
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are the most prevalent, most expensive and most preventable workplace injuries in the country. They can affect muscles, tendons, nerves, joints and the spine. They also affect productivity and profit.
Comfort Pays
Since 90% of all office workers use computers, there are a lot of people who can benefit from proper ergonomics in the workplace. Good ergonomics have been demonstrated to:
- Increase productivity
- Improve worker attitudes
- Reduce health issues such as repetitive stress injuries, back and neck strain, eye strain, muscular pains and headaches
The Risk Factors
Everyone in the workplace owes it to him or herself to be aware of and monitor the conditions that can cause problems. These conditions include:
- Repetition
- Awkward posture
- Static posture
- Stress due to contact or force
- Temperature extremes
Make Yourself Comfortable
The way you sit at and arrange your desk can actually protect you from stress injuries. In fact, increasing your comfort can also increase your performance. Follow these guidelines for a healthy, comfortable workspace. And remember: if you feel an ache, take a break!
From Head to Toe-Here You Go
EYES
- Sit approximately 60cm from your monitor.
- Position the top of the monitor screen at, or slightly below eye level.
- Use a copyholder to properly position the document upright.
- Use a glare filter to reduce glare, brightness and reflection.
- Add a task light to illuminate documents and avoid shadows.
WRISTS
- Keep wrist straight in a neutral position.
- Keep the bottom of the elbow even with the keyboard height, not below.
- Keep forearms approximately parallel to the floor.
- Use minimum force while striking keys.
- Utilise chair arms for support.
SHOULDERS
- Keep your shoulders relaxed and in a neutral position as you type.
- Avoid cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear.
- Keep elbows close to your sides as you use the keyboard and mouse.
- Do not overextend your arm to reach the mouse. Keep the mouse as close to the keyboard as possible.
- Take a moment every so often to roll your shoulders up and back to alleviate tension.
BACK AND LEGS
- Adjust your chair so your thighs are parallel to the floor
- Sit back in the seat so that your lower back is supported firmly by the chair or a lumbar support cushion.
- Place feet on a footrest to relieve "pull" on the lower back (recommended if your feet don't touch the floor).
- Try a molded seat cushion, which distributes weight and adds support.
- Make sure to get up and stretch every hour.
Reproduced courtesy of Fellowes, worldwide manufacturer of innovative products and solutions for the office - www.fellowes.com.au
