Learn why ergonomics is important and how it can benefit employees and managers alike.
Too much of a good thing can be harmful. Americans are spending a huge part of their lives staring at computer screens. While technology increases productivity, it also introduces a Pandora's box of problems. Increasing productivity can mean experiencing headaches, back pain, and repetitive stress injuries that are costing companies valuable time and money. While we may laugh and think these are phony injuries, it is all too real; according to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, 1.8 million employees suffer from musculoskeletal injuries related to job performance. The musculoskeletal injuries are due to poor body mechanics, activity, and fatigue. These are all issues that are related to ergonomics.
Office ergonomics has to do with studying how a person interacts with their work environment. Adapting the workspace to fit the person will reduce injury and maximize productivity. Investing in ergonomics makes economic sense.
Injury and illness in an ergonomically-unfriendly environment are a result of poor posture and body mechanics within the work environment. Overuse and awkwardly extended body positions in the workplace lead to back pain and spinal injuries. Repetitive motion injuries related to using the mouse and typing on a keyboard lead to tendinitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. All these things have led to increased worker's compensation claims and increasing headaches for management when employees are gone due to injury. Therefore, it is recommended that companies redefine the mechanics of the workplace to fit the mechanics of a person to increase the overall efficiency and lessen injury and illness.
What makes an office ergonomically fit? The arrangement of office machines, supplies, and how a person sits and behaves with all these things go into designing an ergonomically-safe work environment. There are several issues to look for in evaluating a workspace for ergonomic requirements. These include furniture arrangement and layout, lighting, the position of work tools in relation to the worker's movement, body posture, and vision concerns. Although not related to the workplace, personal lifestyle choices may also play a significant role in ergonomics.
Offices should be laid out to complement the employees and their work, with the chair serving as the centerpiece for all other furniture arrangements. Select a chair that is adjustable for height, back angle, and height. The arms of the chair should also be adjustable so users can have their arms close to the body with the elbow at right angles to the keyboard or desk surface. The seat of the chair should be large enough to support the worker's thighs and buttocks, but not press on the back of the knees. An ideal seating position for the worker is at a reclining position of 100 to 110 degrees, not straight as commonly thought. Therefore, the chair should be able to tilt back. While sitting in the chair, make sure the feet touch the floor. If the desk is higher so that the employee's feet don't touch the floor, it may be necessary to consider using a foot-rest. Once the chair has been selected, the desk should be outfitted to coincide with the tasks that the employees perform. Select a desk that will fit the employees needs and be at lease elbow-high while the employee is seated.
Once the desk and chairs have been selected, the layout of the computer and office tools should be considered next. Arrange the computer and monitor so that the screen is facing front, or slightly below eye level of employees, so employees don't have to strain their necks or bodies to view the monitor. Placing the monitor 20 to 24 inches away from the user prevents eye strain. The keyboards and mice should be strategically placed so that the body doesn't have to twist and turn type or use the mouse. The keyboard should also allow for the upper arm to sit at a right angle with the keyboard. To keep the wrists straight while typing, consider a wrist pad. To minimize wrist movement while using the mouse, trackball mice may be better. Likewise, although more expensive than the standard keyboard, using a natural keyboard may be easier on the wrists since it allows for a natural placement of the hands and wrists. Monitor glare can be reduced by using an anti-glare screen. Other office tools such as staplers, printers, tape dispensers, and paper trays should be laid so an employee doesn't have to twist and extend their arms in strained positions to reach them.
Lighting is important in ergonomics in order to minimize vision problems. Offices should reduce glare from windows by using low-wattage bulbs. Open the window blinds to let in natural light; natural lighting is easier on the eyes. Use an anti-glare screen if the monitor is too bright.
The employee's posture is very important in ergonomic considerations. Reduce musculoskeletal injuries by keeping the wrist straight and by keeping the elbows at right angles when typing. When typing or using office tools, keep the shoulders relaxed. The feet should be flat on the floor, and the upper arms and elbow should be at a right angle with the body and desk surface. Keep head and neck straight.
If companies employ ergonomics in designing facilities and teach employees good ergonomics practices, many repetitive stress injuries can be avoided. This means savings in insurance, health benefits, and a happier worker. Happier workers result in improved productivity, and improved productivity means increased efficiency, leading to better profits and overall happiness.
