| The word ergonomic is the study of the | | | | the individual and the task more compatible. |
| interaction between individuals, machines or | | | | 3. Modifying individual tasks for creating more |
| appliances in their environment that can affect | | | | efficient methods that suit the user's |
| their performance and productivity. | | | | characteristics. |
| The purpose of ergonomic is to assess the | | | | 4. Changing the way performance activities are |
| interaction, or relationship between each | | | | organized for accommodating individual's physical, |
| component for determining optimum performance. | | | | psychological and social needs in the environment. |
| Ergonomic therefore examines the relationship | | | | Each individual can then be assisted to increase |
| between three elements: the individual, the | | | | performance by evaluating comfort levels of the |
| equipment, the environment and how they can be | | | | operating station for reducing fatigue, preventing |
| improved. | | | | repetitive injuries and creating a harmonious |
| So what, you may ask? | | | | working environment. |
| Ergonomic is usually the focus of 'work' as in | | | | The human part of any environmental system |
| employment performance, largely in relation to | | | | should be integrated into the design stage for |
| the operation of machines /equipment in the | | | | effective operating of the whole system. If this is |
| employment environment. However, in view of | | | | considered at a later stage, then the performance |
| the current economic climate, there is a growing | | | | flow may be restrained through lack of ergonomic |
| shift in the employment environment toward | | | | evaluation of the whole system in place. |
| self-employment activities. These activities are | | | | What Can an Ergonomic Evaluation provide for |
| largely situated within the home, where there is | | | | your business? |
| less regulation over manual handling and | | | | 1. Highlight areas of risk in the human |
| movement education. | | | | environmental system, along with |
| The new area of home-office performance needs | | | | recommendations for improvement in productivity. |
| closer monitoring through ergonomic awareness | | | | 2. Assessment in comfort levels of key operators |
| and education. This is because many | | | | for developing a more energy efficient flow to |
| self-employed individuals do not see the dangers | | | | the operating system. |
| inherent in the repetitive operation of most home | | | | 3. An evaluation of the input and output |
| office equipment and systems. | | | | information flow by individual's for more energy |
| The most significant equipment to consider is the | | | | efficient strategies. |
| office chair. A combination of poor postural | | | | How can an Ergonomic Evaluation improve your |
| balance through improper pelvic control, usually | | | | business? |
| caused by lack of physical exercise, creates a | | | | 1. It can increase the comfort level of key |
| cyclical pattern of chronic musculoskeletal injuries. | | | | operators for improving performance and reduce |
| The environmental can be improved through | | | | absenteeism from repetitive strain injuries that |
| helping the individual operating equipment, such as | | | | impair productivity. |
| computer word processing: | | | | 2. Improvement in workstation layout can reduce |
| 1. Assessing the environmental safety of the | | | | job demands, risk factors, repetition and awkward |
| individual for the tasks required to be completed. | | | | static postures, as they relate to musculoskeletal |
| This will include evaluating the seating and posture | | | | injuries. |
| of the individual, if prolonged sitting is going to be | | | | 3. Changes in the geographical positions of |
| encountered during completion of the tasks. | | | | individuals and equipment may lead to improved |
| 2. Evaluating the overall user-interface of the | | | | harmony, plus greater energy efficiency to the |
| environment for making the relationship between | | | | working environment. |