Know More About Office Ergonomics
In their 2004 report, “Demographics and the Global Office Market,” D. Brounen and P. Eichholtz found that at least 50% of the world’s population currently works in some form of office. It’s no surprise, then, that human factors and office ergonomics research would become increasingly more important as we move into the future. It has been estimated that at least 2% of the American workforce suffers some sort of work-related musculoskeletal disorder each year, costing companies exorbitant amounts of money in lost wages, worker’s comp and insurance premiums. Some estimates range as high as $45-$55 billion for these expenses. Ergonomic design is perhaps the best defense we have against these escalating costs.
The concept of ergonomics itself was noted as far back as 5th Century BC, when Hippocrates consulted surgeons on how they should arrange their tools and set up their workspace. In fact, the word “ergonomics” comes from the Greek words “ergon” (work) and “nomos” (natural laws). Productivity was the main reason for studying ergonomics in the early 1900s, when Frederick Winslow Taylor’s research uncovered the ability to triple the amount of coal shoveled by incrementally reducing the size and weight of coal shovels. Similar methods were uncovered for brick layers by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, improving productivity from 120 to 350 bricks per hour. After WWII, the military looked into new ways to design airplanes to minimize pilot error and NASA explored ways of making an astronaut’s long journey more comfortable.
More modern, office related ergonomics were explored in the 1950s and 1960s, when the Quickborner Team led by Eberhard and Wolfgang Schnelle looked at ways to add more open spaces and seat everyone in a more collaborative seating arrangement. Standard desks and chairs were used, but large potted plants, visual barriers, irregular geometric floor plans and circulation patterns were added to the mix. Despite this creative approach, the sea of cubicles we see today soon gained favor.
Today, people largely spend more of their time interacting with computers than with individuals in the workplace, so ergonomic research largely focuses on the type of tasks, movements and injuries people face in their day-to-day jobs in hopes of devising product designs and computer workstations that will minimize work stress and boost productivity.
Seating is an important part of office ergonomics, since most work-related injuries involve the back and neck. People focused on ergonomic product design look at how hip rotation, posture of the lumbar spine and tissue pressure all interact to cause certain lower back disorders. Research shows that unsupported lordosis (no contact with the lumbar support, yet reclining against the upper seat back) may increase lower back pain. This is why many chairs feature slightly curved padding in the lower back region. Furthermore, the hip angle is increased to avoid unnecessary pressure beneath the thighs. While foam padding and mesh material have been popular in many office chairs, recent data suggests that more expensive gel technologies are needed to diminish long-term discomfort.
Lighting is another key factor in office ergonomics. One study found that the following ergonomic guidelines should be implemented: a mixture of direct lighting (60%) and indirect lighting (40%); desktop illumination in a 20:1 ratio with the surrounding light; windows with glare control; adjustable blinds or shades; and a uniform ratio of average luminance between VDT screens and other vertical surfaces. The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America recommends maximum luminance ratios of 1:3 or 3:1 between central task materials and surrounding light. To the average management team, these figures can be confusing, which highlights the need for ergonomics consultants who specialize in productivity and process improvement.
Office ergonomics certainly keeps health and safety in mind, but its chief concern has always been productivity. In many ways, these two objectives go hand-in-hand. If less people suffer injuries from repetitive movements, lower back problems, neck strains, headache and on-the-job stress, then there will be less people calling in sick to work and less lost profitability. If people are happier and more comfortable with their work environments or inspired by their surroundings, they will be more creative and more productive while performing their daily tasks. Learning about ergonomics is very important for management to improve their processes and their bottom-line profits.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed treating panic disorder as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medications available at www.anxietydisordercure.com.
