What is ergonomic office furniture?
Ever wanted to know what ergonomic furniture is and why it is important? Keep reading!
With many of us working from home over the past two years, you may have come across the term ergonomic and how to try to make your workspace more ergonomic.
Firstly what is ergonomics?
Simply put, ergonomics is designing and arranging workspaces, products so that they fit the people who use them. It is much more than just seating. It applies to the design of absolutely anything that involves humans. And we will discuss ergonomics in relation to workspaces.
Ergonomics also known as human factors is a scientific discipline. It concerns itself with understanding interactions between human and other elements of a system. It is the study of people’s efficiency in the work environment. It is concerned with designing and arranging things that people use so that people and the things they use interact efficiently and in a safe manner.
Why is it important?
Safe work Australia estimates that the total economic cost of injuries related to work is approx. 60 billion dollars. Lower back pain is the world’s most common work related injury research has shown and this spans all industries from building sites to offices to agriculture.
The aim of ergonomics is to create comfortable, safe workspaces by bringing the abilities of the human and limitations into the design of the working space.
Ergonomics in the office – Some tips
1. Proper office ergonomics include correct seat height and adequate spacing between equipment.
2. Your chair must support your spinal curves. Adjust the height of your chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor. Your arms should gently rest on the armrests with your shoulders relaxed.
3. Key items such as the telephone, stapler, pens close to your body to minimise reaching. You should stand up to reach anything that can’t be comfortably reached while sitting.
4. If you’re using a computer ensure that the monitor is placed directly in front of you, it should be about arms distance away. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level and the monitor should be directly behind your keyboard.
