ERGONOMICS - CO-WORKPLACE IN INTERIOR DESIGN

ERGONOMICS CO-WORKPLACE

ERGONOMICS CO-WORKPLACE BY NAMTARN BL

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1.What is an Ergonomics?

1.1. Type of Ergonomics Physical Ergonomics Cognitive Ergonomics Organizational Ergonomics

2. Ergonomics In The Workplace 2.1. Why Is Ergonomics Important In The Workplace 2.2. Health Of Workers.

2.3. Benefits of Ergonomics In The Workplace

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2.4. The Effect Of Poor Ergonomics In The Workplace.

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2.5..Common Ergonomics Injuries Include

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3. Productivity Improvements With Ergonomic Workplaces.

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3.1. Ergonomics Can Improve Staff Morale.

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4. Ergonomics Furniture

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4.1. What Is Ergonomic Office Furniture?

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Sit-stand Desks

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Ergonomic Desks

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Adjustable Monitor Arms

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Task Lighting Sit To Stand Accessories

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Ergonomic Chair

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Ergonomic Office Chair

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CONCLUSION REFERENCES

WI C E SS T ERGONOM CM O -O WN OTR KHP ILG AH CEU N D E R G R A D U A T E T H E S I S 2 0 1 9

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INTRODUCTION A well-designed and furnished office environment accelerates the attainment of workplace goals/objectives. Office design brings about great importance to a well-designed workplace, functional workstation, and general interior décor. All of these factors definitely have direct and indirect impacts on employee performance, productivity and profit margins, sustainability, and competitiveness of the business or organization I want to provide information and education to allow any employee to avoid injury and educate people on the basics of ergonomics. Not only will they be able to help themselves at work, but these principles can be applied to home, hobbies, or help friends and coworkers who may have similar issues.

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1. What Is An Ergonomics?

Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.

The word ergonomics comes from the Greek word “ergon” which means work and “nomos” which means laws. It’s essentially the “laws of work” or “science of work”. A good ergonomic design removes incompatibilities between the work and the worker and creates the optimal work environment

1.1. Type Of Ergonomics The international ergonomics association (IEA) identifies three main application domains of ergonomics which are physical ergonomics, cognitive ergonomics and organizational ergonomics.

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2. Ergonomics In The Workplace!

Ergonomics is the equipment and tools designed for workers to increase productivity and efficiency while reducing discomfort and fatigue. Ergonomics can make a workplace safer and reduce costs.

An ergonomic workplace can include adjustable workstations and computers, ergonomic chairs, and a footrest under the desk. It allows workers to remain comfortable with temperature control, air conditioning, adjustable lighting, and easy to access storage solutions.

Everything is at a comfortable distance to reduce stress and strain and minimize the need for workers to twist, bend and reach

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2.1. Why Is Ergonomics Important In The Workplace?

An ergonomic workplace is very important for the worker so that they can be as comfortable as possible in their office environment.

Ergonomics is fitting the job to the worker. Ergonomics designs workstations, processes, equipment, and tools to meet the worker’s individual needs and fit them. Ergonomics works to make the workplace as safe as it can be.

Not only does ergonomics increase comfort, but in doing so, it increases productivity and decreases stress.

Without ergonomics in the workplace, employees will likely have aches and pains, feel tired, and may develop health-related issues.

2.2. Health Of Workers An employer is responsible for the physical and mental well-being of employees while they are at work.

When workplaces are poorly designed, staff are at risk, particularly of musculoskeletal injuries. Making simple small changes can make a significant reduction in risk to workers

2.3. Benefits Of Ergonomics In The Workplace Lower costs Higher productivity Better product quality Improved employee engagement Better safety culture

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One of the best benefits of ergonomics in an office is the ability to work faster thus increasing productivity. Employees are less tired because of the amount of stress that is removed from pressure points and specific areas of the body. This leads to fewer errors, which also boosts productivity. Also, because of the investment in ergonomic furniture and equipment required, employees feel valued and important as individuals

2.4. The Effects Of Poor Ergonomics In The Workplace A poor ergonomic setup is the cause of numerous health issues.

Most of these issues are musculoskeletal disorders, such as tendonitis, lower back strain, and carpal tunnel. In order to prevent injuries such as these, it is important to consider the need for ergonomic furniture and equipment in the office space. Adding these items to space has various benefits aside from injury prevention

2.5. Common Ergonomic Injuries Include

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Injuries known as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are very common, affecting muscles, joints, and tendons in all parts of the body. They can develop over time as a result of the person: Working in a static position, with little body movement Doing repetitive movements for a long time Putting strain on one specific area of the body (such as the hand or wrist) Working at a speed that prevents sufficient recovery between movements Employees who lack ergonomic office equipment can suffer a range of health complaints and workplace injuries, such as: Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands, fingers, or wrists Swollen or stiff joints Pain or discomfort in the shoulders, neck, or back Muscle cramps or tightness Problems with vision

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3. Productivity Improvements With Ergonomic Workplaces An ergonomically designed workplace takes into account the tasks staff need to do on a regular basis. If a staff member needs to walk to a storage area and reach for files on a daily basis, then it’s likely no one has considered the wasted time in leaving her workstation every day not to mention the risk factors involved in reaching well above her head for heavy items.

Ergonomics improves staff output and increases profits. Staff can’t work at their ultimate speed and efficiency if they are uncomfortable or fatigued and productivity ceases if they sustain an injury.

3.1. Ergonomics Can Improve Staff Morale A well-designed, aesthetically pleasing work environment can do wonders for staff satisfaction levels and morale. Staff members that feel appreciated are more likely to stay with their employer longer than a worker that doesn’t. Even a slight reduction in turnover can have a significant impact on an organization’s costs.

The staff appreciates when their employer considers their individual needs. Examples of buying custom equipment can be as simple as an extra high sit-stand desk for a tall worker, a heavy-duty chair for heavier employees over 145 kg, or a vertical mouse for a worker with a sore wrist.

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4. Ergonomic Furniture Ergonomic furniture is simply furniture designed to allow comfortable sitting or working for extended periods of time.

Fortunately, this kind of furniture is not a marketing scheme. Rather, ergonomic furniture is encouraged and backed by medical professionals that believe in the benefits it can offer the body. It is designed for comfort, but also for preventing injury

4.1. What Is Ergonomic Office Furniture?

The sole purpose of all ergonomic office furniture is to make the working environment as comfortable and efficient as possible so workers can be productive without jeopardizing their health.

Ergonomic office chairs Ergonomic desks Adjustable monitor arms Sit-stand desks Ergonomic keyboards and mice Task lighting Sit to stand accessories Cable management etc Height adjustable, or Sit/Stand desks, are essentially just a SitStand table that is built into a desk or workstation rather than be selfsupporting like a table. It can sometimes be more expensive to incorporate height adjustability into a workstation or desk than purchasing an adjustable height table, but it has the added benefit of seamlessly integrating into the rest of the workstation or desk configuration.

Sit-Stand Desks

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Ergonomic Desks An ergonomic desk is designed to shorten the amount of time you spend sitting down during your working day. Rather than remain seated for several hours at a time, you can raise the level of the desk so you can work at standing height. This is why these types of adjustable desks are often known as “sit-stand” desks.

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Adjustable Monitor Arms An adjustable monitor arm will allow you to position your monitor at the right height (top line of text just above eye level), correct depth (approximately one arm's length away), and optimal orientation (the screen centered in front of your eyes but slightly titled away).

When reading from a backlit screen, our eyes don’t require very much background light, and too much light can even cause a glare on the screen. On the other hand, our eyes need significantly more light when working on tasks such as reading or writing on paper documents.

Task Lighting

A task light allows you to put light where you need it, ensuring your eyes receive the right amount of light no matter what task on which you might be working

Sit to stand accessories

ERGONOMICS CO-WORKPLACE

The primary benefit of a Sit to Stand Accessory is that it can be added to an existing desk or workstation, enabling the user to easily alternate between sitting and standing, without the expensive process of replacing entire worksurfaces. While they offer limited work surface space on their own, they can be an excellent addition for individuals who spend most of their time at a computer without needing to reference paper documents.

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Ergonomic Chair

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Ergonomic Office Chair Adjustable Headrest: The headrest adjusts up and down and angles up and down to support the neck no matter what position you sit-in Dynamic Lumbar Support: Responding to the amount of pressure you place on it, it pivots with you, keeping you comfortable and supported throughout the day 3D Adjustable Armrests: Adjustable threedimensional armrests allow you to set them to your preferred height and direction.

Achieve the comfortability you've always wanted.

Blade Wheels: The silent and smooth blade wheels will ergonomically enhance your seating experience.

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CONCLUSION From the findings the study which identifies the ergonomics problems such as poor office illumination, the use of un-ergonomic office furniture, poor office equipment, unsuitable office furniture, and unsuitable office design has highly impacted the performance of employees previous studies show that businesses that ignore the design and layout of their workplace are failing to optimize the full value of their human capital This article has outlined some of the most common ergonomic problems, their causes, and some actions you can take to reduce the risk of injury. But, as you know, ergonomics seeks ways to make the job fit the person, rather than the other way around. That means it is, by definition, a very individualized approach to designing tools, tasks, and work areas.

Each individual body is different in terms of size, shape, and capability. Each of us uses different tools and movements and sits, stands, and moves in different positions in the course of a day. So any effort to make your workplace really ergonomic – to adapt jobs to people and not force people to fit their jobs – must involve every single person in the workplace.

If you ignore symptoms for too long, you may eventually be unable to perform your current job. You may have to permanently transfer jobs, undergo physical therapy, or even have surgery. In the very worst cases, you may develop such a major and painful disability that you're unable to work.

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REFERENCES Workplace Ergonomic 101, ergo-plus.com/workplace-ergonomics/.

Karsh, B., Moro, F. B. P., & Smith, M. J. (2010). The efficacy of workplace ergonomic Interventions to control musculoskeletal disorders: A critical examination of the peer-reviewed literature. Theoret Issues Ergon Sci, 2, 3–96. DOI: 10.1080/14639220152644533 Singh; L. P.: Work-study and ergonomics, Cambridge University Press; 1st edition, 2018.

Health and safety authority, (2005), ergonomics in the workplace.

Ashraf H. abeid, (2015), investigation of the workplace environment, international research and technology, ( vol. 4 issue 06 ) Health and Safety Executive (HSE), (2003) '' Understanding Ergonomics at Work''.

View Sonic, (2018), Office Ergonomics The Complete Guide

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ERGONOMICS CO-WORKPLACE BY NAMTARN BL