Ergonomics On Your Workstation Dec 9th

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Ergonomics (Human Factors) is an applied science dedicated to design and arrange workstations, products, and systems so that they are comfortable for the people who use them. Though human factors are more connected with psychological capacities, while ergonomics is more related to physical aspects, the two terms can be considered synonyms. Ergonomics highlights the relevance of a human-centered approach to work design to reduce the risk of injuries and illness as well as to improve quality of life and performance. Today we will focus on how ergonomics is applied to your workstation.

Ergonomists and human factors specialists aim to understand how a product, workplace, or system may be created to suit the people who need to use it, rather than expecting people to adapt to a design that requires them to work in an unpleasant, stressful, or dangerous manner. A variety of disciplines including anatomy, physiology, psychology, engineering, biomechanics, industrial-visual design, and statistics are combined to guarantee that designs complement people's strengths and skills while minimizing the consequences of their limitations.

Spending too much time at a computer can lead to muscle aches, fatigue, strains, and nerve pain so many people are looking for better ways to work with computers. Here comes computer ergonomics, the study of how we interact with them. There are ergonomics ideas you should adopt to work more easily and safely such as setting up your workstation and having the proper posture and positioning.

Ergonomic specialists at the University of Michigan recommend that you place your monitor directly in front of you (at least 18 inches) and at eye level. Make sure that the keyboard and mouse are close to one another. Maintain a 90° angle with your elbows close to your body and your forearms parallel to the floor. Use a chair that supports your back in an upright seated position with a modest arch and a lumbar roll for the lower back, if available. And maintain your upper legs parallel to the ground and with feet flat to the floor.

Laptops aren't ergonomically constructed because the monitor and keyboard are so close together, they can't both be in favorable positions at the same time. It's preferable to use an external keyboard and mouse so that your elbows can rest at a 90-degree angle by your side as you work. And lift the laptop to eye level by placing it on top of books or another tool such as a laptop stand.

Almost everyone uses a screen in their daily lives and digital eye strain (DES) is more frequent than ever. It may help to follow the 20/20/20 rule, which states that after 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Standing up and walking away from your computer on a frequent basis is also a good habit to develop. At least once an hour, take a few minutes to walk around, stretch, and relax. People who use computers intensively for long periods of time while working in bad posture are at the highest risk of suffering injuries.

Moreover, ergonomics can be applied in other aspects of the workplace. Employees in a variety of sectors and professions are exposed to a variety of health risks in the workplace such as reaching upwards, lifting large items, pushing and pulling heavy objects, bending, and holding incorrect body positions for long periods. When performed poorly any of these can have an adverse effect on the neurological and muscular systems, resulting in Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). 

Employers must build and maintain a safe workplace in order to adopt a workplace ergonomics strategy. Staff should be trained so that they understand the relevance of applied ergonomics processes at work and their benefits. Conduct an ergonomic risk assessment and design protocols with feedback from employees. And encourage employees to report early MSD symptoms in order to reduce, control, and eliminate health issues.