For any organization, company, or work-from-home setup, the goal should be to achieve good ergonomics in the workplace. There has been a lot of research and studies proving how beneficial ergonomics are in the workplace. Fortunately, due to the growing awareness of incorporating ergonomics in the workplace, the relationship between employers and employees has improved as well as the overall environment in the workplace.
What Is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the science of designing the job to match the worker and the product to match the user. This ensures that the negative effects of work, such as fatigue, discomfort, and stress, are reduced while the positive effects such as work quality, efficiency, and mood. Ergonomics is applied to improve work efficiency, decrease work fatigue, and avoid risks of accidents and injuries. This includes changing office furniture, lighting, and the overall workspace. Since most people spend at least 8 hours or more in the workplace, it is important to ensure that this is a comfortable and workable environment to be in.
What Are The Principles Of Ergonomics?
To successfully apply ergonomics in the workplace, you must understand the principles of ergonomics. The following are the principles of ergonomics:
Work In The Correct Height
Since you are meant to maintain the same position while working for an extended period throughout the day, it should ideally be comfortable and at the correct height. The workstation's height should be correct so that you don't have to alter your position to adjust to the working height. You must ensure that you are seated at the correct height, your workstation is at the correct height, and the monitor or screen placement. They should ideally be placed at eye level, so the user does not have to crane their neck or bend their heads too low. This can cause postural problems in the user and injuries and misalignment in the spine.
Work In A Neutral Position
Our spine is naturally curved in an S shape. This is its neutral position, and it is best if we maintain our spine in this position. Attempting to over-curve it or flatten the curve can cause pain, discomfort, and misalignment of the spine. You must ensure that you sit on an ergonomic chair that provides adequate lumbar support to the spine and upper back. It should be wide enough to accommodate the thighs and lower body comfortably. Our feet must also rest flat and firm on the ground with our knees bent at right angles. This position ensures that our spine remains in a comfortable and neutral position.
Minimize Fatigue
Workers in the workplace are often required to hold the same position for a long time until it begins to cause painful and aching muscles. This is known as the static load and can affect different body parts such as the legs, shoulders, and arms. You must recognize this, alter your position, and change the orientation of your work area, which helps add extenders to tools. This helps to minimize fatigue in the workplace and reduce the risk of injuries caused by fatigue.
Keep All Items Within Easy Reach
all your essential work materials must be placed within easy access. The workstation should be designed in such a manner that everything is placed within reach. You must rearrange your area to ensure that you don’t have to get up from your seat frequently, and neither do you have to extend your arms to reach for items. Keeping everything within reach helps to minimize stress and fatigue.
Stretch And Move Your Body Throughout The Day
Sitting in the same position for long hours can cause the muscles to become tense and the joints to fatigue. Take frequent breaks, walk around, or do stretches while seated in your chair. This helps to loosen up your muscles and relax your joints to prevent them from becoming stiff. Here are some ways that you can take breaks from work:
Do stretches while seated in your position
take frequent breaks to drink water
take breaks to go visit the toilet
if you work in an office, stand up from your seat and walk over to have a chat with your coworkers
Understand The Need For Ergonomics
As discussed above, it is important to understand the need and benefits of ergonomics in the workplace. When you are aware of the positive effects of ergonomics, you become more actively involved in ensuring that you bring about the necessary changes.
4 Steps To Achieving Ergonomics In The Workplace
Here are some steps that you can follow to incorporate ergonomics in your work environment successfully:
1. Identify The Risk Factors
All workplaces have different designs and different expectations of the users. You must first identify your workplaces and assess what changes need to be made to improve workplace ergonomics. Do you need a more comfortable chair? A workstation? Would a standing desk benefit you? Do you have poor lighting in your workspace? Identify the problems in your work environment so that you can bring about the necessary changes.
2. Control The Risk Factors
Controls can be put in place depending on the risk factors to minimize the risk of workplace injuries and fatigue. This might involve changing the workplace layout, changing the workstation layout, incorporating improved tools, and moving parts around to allow easy access to workers.
3. Invest In The Right Equipment
Once you have identified the required alterations, you must invest in the required tools and workstation changes to adhere to ergonomics and occupational safety for employees. This includes:
Incorporating More Windows For More Natural Light
Natural light is the best form of light in the work environment. It reduces strain on the eyes and helps brighten up the place creating the ideal light in the workplace. Incorporating large windows from floor to ceiling is the best way to bring maximum daylight into the room.
Adding More Light Fixtures And Ergonomic Floor Lamps
Flexispot has some great options for floor lamps as well as light fixtures that can be installed to add more light to the work environment. Without adequate lighting, it is difficult to focus and pay attention during work hours due to eye strain and fatigue
Investing in an ergonomic office chair
An ergonomic office chair is extremely important in the workplace and has all the features that make It comfortable. Since the chair is used the most in a sit-down office space, it must be the most comfortable piece of furniture in it. It must have the following features:
Adjustable height
Wide seat
Comfortable and breathable seat fabric
Adequate lumbar support
Proper back support
Comfortable headrest
Armrests
Footrest
Swivel function
Movable function
All of the features mentioned above make an office chair comfortable and ergonomic to minimize fatigue and maximize productivity and comfort in the workplace. Flexispot has some of the best ergonomic office chair options that you can choose from to place in your office or home space.
Investing In An Ergonomic Work Desk
A work desk is extremely important as it makes your workstation. This is where you place your laptop, monitor mount, or important documents. It should ideally be sturdy and made of good quality material, have enough space to accommodate all your essentials, be of the correct height and last a long time. Flexispot has fantastic desk options that you can choose from to place in your workspace.
Investing In An Ergonomic Standing Desk
Standing desks are a great addition to the workspace as they can encourage users to stand and work rather than sit in one spot all day. An L-shaped standing bamboo desk makes for a fantastic work desk as it has an adjustable height feature. It can be used while sitting and standing. A standing desk elevates the workstation to allow the user to work while in a standing position. This breaks the monotony of sitting all day long.
Adjusting The Height Of The Monitor
The monitor's height must be at the eye level of the user. A too-high or too-low screen can cause eye strain and neck, shoulder, and upper back pain. Proper ergonomics involves placing the monitor screen at eye level. Monitor mounts can be used to raise the monitor's height, and the use of laptops is discouraged as they are lower than eye level in height. Flexispot has some great options for monitor arms and mounts.
Rearranging Office Desk Material To Ensure It Is Within Reach
Office desk equipment should be placed within reach such as mouse, keyboard and other materials, so that the user does not have to hyperextend their arm.
4. Apply The Design Principles
When you have learned and understood the principles of ergonomics and design, you are in a better position to apply those changes in your work environment. You can ensure that everything is in the correct height and placement, adequate lighting, and minimal stresses and load are required to perform everyday tasks.
The Final Word
Flexispot has some great options for ergonomic furniture and equipment for the office. Ergonomics are extremely important for any kind of workplace, especially for those working from home.
