ergonomic

As the number of employees who work in an office environment increases, so do the number of common office injuries. This is because many offices do not have an ergonomically-correct facility for their workers. In recent years, having an ergonomically-correct work environment has become as important as pay scales and benefits packages. Employees want to know that the time they put in the office on a daily basis is not contributing to a decline in their health with onset of afflictions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Repetitive Stress Injury.

Many people are not aware of the very, very significant benefits of an ergonomically correct workplace environment. Ergonomics encompasses a variety of different workplace conditions, including:

- Workstation design
- Temperature
- Lighting
- Noise
- Shift Work
- Breaks
- Meals
- Machine Design

In the past, problems associated with Repetitive Stress Injury and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, were reported in large numbers. Since companies have received more information over the last decade about how to set up a more ergonomically-correct environment, the number of instances of RSI and CTS has decreased. However, the numbers are still much higher than they should be given the wealth of information available about ergonomics and the workplace. This is why training for companies about the benefits of being ergonomically correct is so important. The more information that individual companies have, the better they can serve their employees and assist them in staying well and producing better results.

There are a number of benefits to working in an ergonomically-correct environment. They include:

- Peaces of mind, knowing you are working in safe, healthy conditions
- Increased productivity due to an elevated comfort level
- Lower occurrences of employee absence due to injuries from afflictions such as -RSI and CTS
- Lower instances of workers compensation claims due to repetitive stress injuries

Setting up an ergonomically correct workplace is not as hard as most would think. Taking small steps regularly can add up to big benefits in the end. Purchasing an ergonomically correct chair or keyboard can immediately help with some of the ailments people who work in an ergonomically-incorrect environment often experience.

Cost is often an issue, but you don’t have to spend too much at one time. For example, employers could begin by replacing one item at a time throughout the office. This would assist in bringing the office current on ergonomic regulations without having to spend a large chunk of money at once. The lack of funding is often the reason smaller offices cite when asked why their facility is not ergonomically correct. Making small improvements can take the monetary pressure off, while still allowing the employer to make ergonomic improvements.

Some of the main culprits that contribute to an unhealthy working environment include:

- An ergonomically-incorrect chair that does not provide proper back and leg support, leans back at an improper angle, does not contain arm supports and is not adjustable

- A workstation that sits too high or too low

- A mouse that does not provide zero to no tension

- A support for your wrist for when you are using the mouse

- A telephone with no neck support to keep from leaning into the phone and straining your neck

- A keyboard that is ergonomically incorrect with a design that causes you hands to constantly have to move back and forth along the entire length of the keyboard

- Low lighting that causes you to strain your eyes

- Sitting too long in one spot

- No foot support, which will allow your legs to be elevated to a proper angle

All of these culprits are easily solved by a combination of an ergonomically correct work environment and steps that you can take on your part to assure efficiency and an overall sense of general health.

Some steps that your employer can take include:

- Providing proper office equipment

- Conduct employee training on proper ergonomic practices

- Conduct periodic inspections of equipment to ensure everything is working properly

In addition to these steps, you can do things as well to ensure your own health. These steps include:

- Take frequent breaks

- Speak up if you are uncomfortable, having physical problems due to ergonomically incorrect conditions

- Be sure that all aspects of your workstation are in line with proper ergonomic procedure

- Listen and actively participate in ergonomic workplace training

- Keep detailed information on any ailments you’ve received as a result of an ergonomically incorrect workplace environment.

The combination of you and your employer’s knowledge of the importance of an ergonomically correct workplace will contribute to an increased level of productivity as well as a general sense of well-being at work. Studies have shown that happier employees produce better results and making sure your workplace is ergonomically correct is the first step to achieving such positive levels of success.

Ergonomic desk chairs | Ergonomic back chairs

The French poet Charles Baudelaire observed back in the 1800s, “Inspiration comes of working every day.” Most people do work every day, and unfortunately it’s not only inspiration that comes of it. Repetitive stress injuries (RSI) are also the result of every day tasks performed again and again while operating a computer. Relief is in sight, however, thanks in part to a particular government agency. This organization is raising awareness and promoting solutions 24/7.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a mandate to protect employees from being hurt in the workplace. James Hodgson, Secretary of Labor, established OSHA within his department in 1971. This was in response to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, legislation he helped author. For the first time in U.S. history, the government stepped in to make sure that workers were as protected as possible from illness, injury, and death on the job. And OSHA had its work cut out for it. Construction, chemical, and agricultural workers were among the many who needed better safety standards in their industries.

But as computer use rose, and the related RSI grew, OSHA turned its attention to this new problem. In recent years, OSHA has developed a four part program designed to reduce injuries and illnesses associated with computer use on the job. The four parts are

Guidelines, Outreach and Assistance, Enforcement, and the National Advisory Committee.

Guidelines are recommended practices that are developed for specific tasks and industries. These are voluntary, not mandatory. Employers use the guidelines to identify and modify risks in the workplace. Implementing these practices reduces injuries related to the way people do their jobs.

The Outreach and Assistance component of this program is aimed at businesses of all sizes. OSHA wants companies to take a proactive stance when it comes to preventing RSI. To help employers, OSHA designed an extensive array of tools that educate, analyze, and train people regarding the ergonomics of their jobs. Available to the public for free on the OSHA website, the computer workstation portion of the Ergonomics eTools is a comprehensive guide to proper computing techniques.

Included in this section is:

Good Working Position (talks about every part of the body and what the best placement is for preventing RSI)

Workstation Components (all the technology and furniture you commonly use is listed here with possible hazards, solutions, and tips)

Checklist (a great way to evaluate how you’re doing ergonomically while you operate a computer)
Work Process (focuses on the physical movements of computer use, with hazards to watch for, more solutions, and tips)

Workstation Environment (information about factors people often don’t think about such as lighting, ventilation, and glare)

But Outreach and Assistance is more than the Ergonomic eTools. It has industry guidelines, cooperative programs, ergonomic analysis info, and success stories. It even has a checklist with tips for new purchases. It is chock full of valuable information for everyone from the individual computer user to the captains of industry.

OSHA persists in its campaign to help employers and employees prevent Repetitive Stress Injuries. If the folks at OSHA have their way, inspiration will be the only result of long hours of work in front of a computer. Baudelaire would approve

Executive ergonomic chairs | Mesh ergonomic chairs

When a person thinks about ergonomics, the last thing that they think about is sports. Can ergonomics be used in mans favorite sport? Ergonomics can definitely be used in sports whether its golf, baseball, tennis, hockey and even basketball.

So if you are a professional basketball player, even an amateur or just a fan/spectator and you are struggling with your basketball shooting, there are a few techniques that should be used. These techniques are called ergonomics for the athlete. This is nothing new; athletes have been using ergonomically correct techniques for years.

One technique to help you ‘shoot a hoop’ ergonomically correct is to not only exercise before the big practice or game, it’s important to do stretch exercises. Your team mates may laugh but being ergonomically correct will better your play and help you to become a better basketball shooter.

In basketball, shooting is what can make or break a team. If there are any team mates that do not know how to throw an effective ‘shoot’, this could ultimately loose a championship game. One of the reasons why so many players utilize ergonomics is simply because it helps their game…they can learn to develop a better shooting average just by practicing ergonomics.

Becoming an ergonomically correct basketball shooter means practice time all the time. You can always tell a shooter who has been practicing his or her ergonomic techniques. It’s the way that they are prepared to play the game. They are not as stressed and harried or anxious as someone who never utilizes their ergonomic tips.

The first step to shooting hoops success is to get your basic set-up ‘straight’. Hold your basketball close to your chest area and make sure that it is positioned below your chin level. Your hand must be set underneath your ball and toward the back area. The hand or the, ‘non-shooting hand must be ‘cupped’ under the basketball and a toward the front area. It’s important to make sure that you lock your wrist and pull it back. If the basketball is positioned the right way, you’ll actually notice a wrinkling effect on the backside of your wrist. These are a few techniques are ergonomically sound and they can help a basketball player improve his or her game whether they’re professional or a beginner. Although being ergonomically correct in your game is important, you must continue to eat healthy, get plenty rest, drink 6-8 glasses of water daily and to inform your doctor of your exercise regimen.

Ergonomic mesh office chairs | Executive ergonomic chairs

These days, computers have become so inevitable part of our lives that we need to use it for various purposes.  Be it a free time or working hours, except a very few people, all depend on this machine to get their jobs done. There are certain things you need to know about the computer work hazards and the preventive techniques you need to follow to make your stay in front of the computer, trouble free.

I have come across some common worries shared by people who have to sit for long hours in front of the computer.

Is there a term called overuse of computers?  If so, where do I draw the line?

If I have to use it on a daily basis, how many hours of my presence in front of this machine is recommended?

Will I be able to finish my work if I am to follow my recommended time schedule?

Here is a checklist that will help you create a safe, sound, and relaxed workstation.  You can try using it in combination with the purchasing guide checklist.  There are two options – ‘Yes’ and ‘No’.  The questions relate to different topics like working postures, seating, keyboard, monitors, accessories, work area and some general questions.  If the response is ‘no’, it means that a problem exists.
Working Postures:

1. Do your head and neck need to be upright, or in-line with the your torso (not bent down/back)?

2. Do the head, neck, and trunk need to be facing forward without twisting?

3. Does your trunk have to be perpendicular to the floor (you may lean back into backrest but not forward)?

4. Do your shoulders and upper arms need to be relaxed and in-line with the torso, normally about perpendicular to the floor (but not elevated or stretched forward)?

5. Do the upper arms and elbows need to be close to the body and not extended outward?

6. Do your forearms, wrists, and hands need to be straight and in -line (forearm at about 90 degrees to the upper arm)?

7. Do the wrists and hands need to be straight (not bent up/down or sideways toward the little finger)?

8. Do both the thighs need to be parallel to the floor and the lower legs to be perpendicular to floor (thighs may be slightly elevated above knees)?

9. Can your feet rest flat on the floor or should they be supported by a stable footrest?

Seating (Chair):

10. Does the backrest of the chair support your lower back?

11. Does the seat width and depth have the capacity for the specific user (seat pan not too big/small)?

12. Is the seat pan of your chair too long to press against the back of your knees and lower legs?

13. Is your seat cushioned properly, rounded, and blunt with a “waterfall” front?

14. Do the armrests of your chair support both forearms while working on the computer without meddling with your movement?

Keyboard:

15. Are the platforms for the keyboard/input device stable and large enough to hold a keyboard and an input device?

16. Are the input devices (mouse or trackball) located right next to your keyboard so that they can be accessed and used without having to reach them?

17. Can the input devices be easily activated with their size and shape fitting your hand (not too big/small)?

18. Does your workstation ensure that your wrists and hands do not rest on sharp or hard edges?

Monitor:

19. Is the top of the monitor screen at or below your eye level so that you can read it without bending your head or neck down/back?

20. Can the user with bifocals/trifocals read the screen without bending the head or neck backward?

21. Does the distance of the monitor allow you to read the screen without leaning your head, neck, or trunk forward/backward?

22. Is the monitor positioned directly in front of you so that you don’t have to twist your head or neck?

23. Do you ensure that glare (for example, from windows, lights) is not reflected on your screen that makes you sit in awkward postures so as to view the screen better?

Work Area (Desk and Workstation):

24. Between the top of the thighs and your computer table, do you have enough room or your thighs (thighs are not trapped)?

25. Do you ensure that your legs and feet have sufficient clearance space under the work surface so that you can get close enough to the keyboard/input device?

Accessories:

26. Is your document holder stable and large enough to hold documents?

27. Is your document holder placed at about the same height and distance as the monitor screen so that there is little head movement, or need to re-focus, when you look from the document to the screen?

28. Is your wrist/palm rest padded and free of sharp or square edges that push on your wrists?

29. Does your wrist/palm rest allow you to keep your forearms, wrists, and hands straight and in-line when using the keyboard/input device?

30. While doing telephone and computer tasks simultaneously, do you keep your head upright (not bent) and your shoulders relaxed (not elevated)?

General:

31. Do your workstation and equipment have sufficient adjustability that ensures your safe working posture while allowing you to make occasional changes in posture when you work on your computer?

32. Are your computer workstation, components, and accessories maintained in serviceable condition and do they function properly?

33. Are your computer tasks planned in a way that allows you to vary tasks with other work activities, or to take micro-breaks, or recovery pauses while at the computer workstation?

So that is all about it. Living carelessly is the easiest thing to do, but could be the most dangerous thing too. On the other hand if you take some precaution, it can be the foundation for a healthy living, later in your life.

Remember that all the computer related hazards are not going to hamper your life in a very short span of time. But it may take years to show the symptoms. As I said earlier, prevention is better than cure.

Ergonomic ball chairs | Ergonomic computer chairs

A normal day spent by any individual at his work place entails a lot of work pressure. One has to work in varied postures and intense circumstances for attaining the daily target set for him or her. Physiologically a lot of stress might generate a number of physical ailments like backache, leg pain, headaches etc. It is essential that a person remains fit and fine for optimal performance at work place. A lot of physical pains not only distract a person from his or her job but there continuity might mean inconsistency in achievement of goals. No company would like to leverage its profitability for an inconsistent and stressed employee. Therefore, under worst circumstances regular physical stress might lead to demotion or termination.

Physical postures in which we sit for long durations at workplace affect us immensely. Sitting at a stiff chair for long hours might lead to backache. On the other hand, a too soft chair might make an employee lethargic. An experience of sitting on an oversized chair is also not a comfortable one. Moreover, sitting on a chair smaller than your size for several hours might make you uneasy and can lead to pain in multiple tissues of the body. Not only does the size of the chair matters but also the material with which it’s built must be considered important. Wooden or velvet chairs are not always the best choice for a workplace. A chair that can adjust to the varied stressful situations of a work place could be considered as the best choice. The chair must be flexible enough to adapt to various postures. It must also be resizable to cater to any physical built. It should be made using a comfortable yet not so lethargic material for facilitating long hours of sustained attention.

Ergonomics the science of human mechanics comes to rescue all such organizational problems related to fatigue and discomfort. Ergonomics has three main sections namely cognitive ergonomics, physical ergonomics and organizational ergonomics. Organizational ergonomics is the study of equipments and processes at workplace and improving them for optimal results. Typically, it can be defined as adjusting to the workers environment. An ergonomic chair is designed keeping in mind the amount of physical and cognitive stress an employee undergoes during work hours. An ergonomic chair thus must be highly adjustable. It should not only have an adjustment knob but should also have a flexible back and adjustable sides for resting hands. An ergonomic chair is designed to support the curves of body. It supports the body where it is required.

Almost everyone makes use of computers; however those who utilize it for more than one hour a day must consider buying an ergonomic chair. It is an investment in ones own health and wellness. Moreover, it improves productivity by reducing stress and fatigue. For a computer professional who sits over a computer for several hours a day an ergonomic chair is a must. Buying an ergonomic chair is not just enough people must be trained to use these chairs as they have several mechanical features like an adjustable height or back.

Ergonomic desk chairs | Ergonomic back chairs