There is more to having a healthy work environment than just making sure the office is clean and organized. It’s also important to make sure that your employees’ physical health is taken into consideration. This is where ergonomics comes in. Ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their surroundings, and it can be used in the workplace to help improve employee productivity and reduce the risk of injury. In this blog post, we will discuss what ergonomics is and why it’s important for businesses! Show Understanding ErgonomicsErgonomics is the science of designing or arranging workplaces, products, and systems so that they can be used with ease by those who use them. It applies not just in seating but also when it comes to car controls and instruments as well- ergonomic design ensures you have an easy time while operating any type of handles/controls whether its sports-related (like playing golf) leisure activities such as getting fit at exercise classes or even medical conditions where surgeries are performed without causing unnecessary pain. Importance of Ergonomics in Our Everyday LifeThe cost of work-related injuries and illnesses is estimated at $60 billion dollars. Recent research has shown that back pain, in particular, accounts for more than half (55%)of all disabled workers worldwide – affecting employees from offices as well as those on building sites or working with agriculture equipment where they are most likely to suffer this disability). Ergonomics is the study of human abilities in relation to work. One thing that ergonomic designs can do for you, whether they be chairs or computers with multimedia features like touch screens is to make sure your body has enough room so it doesn’t feel cramped while using these devices throughout long sessions without any pain coming up due accommodate different shaped humans! The aging population in Australia is projected to double over the next 50 years. This will have an effect on equipment, services, and systems designed for older adults such as public transport or building facilities that are tailored towards their needs! Ergonomics in the workplace and anywhere else: How does it work?Ergonomics is a relatively new science that has been around for just over half of the century. Although it relies on research from other established areas such as engineering, physiology, and psychology; there’s no one single approach to ergonomic design because each discipline produces unique results with its own set guidelines when designing products or procedures which can be costly if not done correctly (in time). The data and techniques of several disciplines come together in an ergonomic design, such as the following: Anthropometry: which is the study of human body measurements, proportions, and compositions Biomechanics: which is the study of how muscles work and produce force Cognitive psychology: is the study of how humans think, learn, and remember Industrial engineering: which is the study of designing equipment, machines, and processes to improve productivity while minimizing risks Physiology: which is the study of how different systems in the bodywork Workplace design principles that take into account human abilities and limitations. The goal of ergonomics is to match a person’s physical capabilities with the demands of their job. This can be done by redesigning tasks or tools, providing training on proper technique or posture, or changing work schedules to allow for more breaks or less repetitive motion.
When done correctly, ergonomics can help to:
What are some common ergonomic principles?There are a number of basic ergonomic principles that can be applied to almost any work environment. These include:
We hope you’ve found this post helpful in understanding ergonomics a little better. Ergonomics is something we should all be aware of and mindful of in our everyday lives, not just when we’re at work. If you have any questions or would like more information on how ergonomics can improve your life, give us a call today. We’d be happy to chat with you!
Beyond Ergonomics gives athletes and desk professionals answers to their pain problems. Body imbalances, repetitive use, and lack of movement are the cause of many injuries and pain. Beyond Ergonomics helps you discover your imbalances and create change. MedicinEvolution’s purpose is to reduce pain and other symptoms that you haven’t had luck with. MedicinEvolution Bodywork Beyond Massage is the solution for many problems plaguing your body. Make your appointment today! Office life is more sedentary than ever before. Email and video conferencing mean we no longer need to leave our desks to do our jobs effectively and this is taking a serious toll on employee health and wellbeing. That’s why it’s more important than ever to think about workplace ergonomics. The right office design can have a huge impact on the happiness and productivity of your workers, not to mention it also minimizes the likelihood of injuries occurring. Here’s what you need to know about ergonomics. What is workplace ergonomics? Ergonomics is the science of designing the workplace to suit an individual’s specific needs. Instead of taking a “one size fits all” approach, as most offices have done in the past, it’s important to ensure that equipment, tools and workstations can be adjusted to ensure that correct ergonomic set up can be achieved. That means taking each worker’s individual needs into account (ie their height), and ensuring that the office environment is designed so everyone can do their jobs to the best of their ability. Take this for example, when you drive a new car, what is the first thing you do? You adjust your surroundings – the rear-view mirror, the seat depending on how much leg room you require, and how upright you like to sit whilst driving and even the steering wheel height. You do this in order to feel comfortable during your journey, so why not do this at work when setting up a new work station? With musculoskeletal injuries, eye strain and mental health difficulties now all leading causes of time taken off work, it’s important to adapt your office to make sure these health and safety risks are reduced. So, when designing your office space, here’s what you need to take into consideration: 1. Make the best use of the space One of the main functions of workplace ergonomics is to improve health and safety and remove risk factors that lead to musculoskeletal injuries. If your office is too crowded and cluttered, this prevents your employees having enough room to move around safely. It’s essential to have plenty of clear space in your workplace if you want to reduce the risks of accidents and injuries. A crowded, cluttered office space can also have a negative effect on productivity. Workers find it difficult to concentrate when they’re surrounded by visual distractions. This can quickly cause stress levels to rise. To prevent these things from happening, you need to make the best possible use of the available space. Make sure desks are arranged in a way that gives everyone enough personal space. Any unnecessary furniture or equipment should be removed, creating as much space as possible. 2. Think about your furniture The average office worker now spends over 65 percent of the working day sitting down. This has negative health implications and often leads to strains and injuries to muscles and joints. It’s important to make sure every worker has furniture that’s appropriate to their needs. For example, standard office desks tend to be designed for workers over six feet tall. This means most female employees, and some of the men, are sitting in the wrong position to use a computer safely without straining their neck or putting extra load on their lower back. Sit-stand desks can help to solve this problem. They can be adjusted to a wide range of heights, so that workers can find the most comfortable position for them. This option also allows them to adjust their posture throughout the day, and work standing up if they choose. Having an adjustable workstation means that employees have the ability to move between seated and standing positions throughout the day reducing the amount of time they spend is a sedentary position. Office chairs also need to be the right size for each worker, so the back and arm rests can take the strain as they’re supposed to. 3. Get the lighting right Lighting has a significant effect on mood and productivity. Too bright, and workers may struggle to concentrate, or have trouble seeing their computer screens. Too dim, and they may feel sleepy and sluggish. Your office lighting needs to strike the right balance. Aim for as much natural daylight as possible, but make sure the windows have blinds, so employees can reduce glare if and when they need to. You’ll also need artificial lighting that’s bright enough to keep everyone alert without causing irritability and headaches. You need to bear in mind that some workers may have different needs when it comes to lighting. It’s important to consult with your employees to find out what lighting works best for each job role, and whether anyone has problems with their sight which could be made easier by better lighting. How to make sure your workplace is ergonomically friendly It’s important to take into consideration ergonomic setup when designing any new workstation or workplace. Consider getting professional advice before purchasing new equipment or engaging a professional to come into your workplace to provide individual advice on correct ergonomic set up. Remember that the smallest of changes can have a major impact – and they don’t have to be expensive changes. If you’d like to book in ergonomic assessments for your workplace, please click below to get a quote: |
Is the process of designing or arranging workplaces products and so that they fit the people who use them?
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