| What is Ergonomics? | | | | developing any injury. A thorough ergonomics |
| Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned | | | | assessment will evaluate these and other potential |
| with design according to human needs. It is also | | | | risk factors for workplace injury. |
| the profession that applies theory, principles, data | | | | What is a good workstation setup? |
| and methods to design in order to optimize | | | | A good workstation setup may include: |
| human well-being and overall system performance. | | | | - Ergonomic keyboards and mouse |
| Ergonomics looks at what kind of work you do, | | | | - Wrist rests |
| what equipment you use and your entire job | | | | - Support braces/gloves - If you're considering an |
| environment. The goal of ergonomics is to find | | | | "ergonomic product" ask yourself the following |
| the best fit between you and your job conditions. | | | | questions: |
| How To Create The Ideal Ergonomic Workstation | | | | - Does it feel comfortable for a long period? |
| A thorough ergonomics assessment will help | | | | - Does the product design and the manufacturer's |
| create the ideal ergonomic workstation by | | | | claims make sense? |
| addressing the following topics: | | | | - What research evidence can the manufacturer |
| - Computer use | | | | provide to support their claims? |
| - Type of computer used | | | | - What do ergonomics experts say about the |
| - Chair used | | | | product? |
| - A good workstation ergonomic arrangement | | | | Some ergonomic products may feel strange or |
| - Posture | | | | slightly uncomfortable at first because they often |
| Setting up an ergonomic computer workstation | | | | produce a change in your posture that's beneficial |
| If an ergonomic computer workstation is going to | | | | in the long-term. Stop using the product if it |
| be used by several people, you will need to | | | | continues to feel uncomfortable after a |
| create an arrangement that most closely satisfies | | | | reasonable trail period of at least a week. |
| the needs of the extremes. It will have to | | | | Other considerations are the following |
| accommodate the smallest and tallest, thinnest | | | | environmental conditions where the computer will |
| and broadest. | | | | be used: |
| Make sure that the computer is placed on a | | | | - Lighting |
| stable working surface with adequate room for | | | | - Ventilation |
| proper arrangement. | | | | - Noise Take a break! |
| It's important to choose a comfortable chair for | | | | No matter how great your ergonomics |
| the user to sit in. If only one person is using the | | | | workstation is, it's important to take frequent, |
| chair it can be at a fixed height provided that it is | | | | brief rest breaks. Make sure to practice the |
| comfortable and has a good backrest that | | | | following to help avoid strain and injury: |
| provides lumbar support. If more than one person | | | | - Eye breaks every 15 minutes. |
| will be using the computer, consider buying and a | | | | - Micro-breaks from the use of a particular set of |
| chair with several ergonomic features. | | | | muscles that's doing much of the work (e.g. the |
| A good workstation design will allow any | | | | finger flexors if you're doing a lot of typing). |
| computer user to work in a neutral,relaxed, ideal | | | | - Rest breaks every 30 to 60 minutes. |
| typing posture that will minimize the risk of | | | | - Exercise breaks every 1-2 hours. |