Whether you’re a newbie in this field of ergonomics or even a pro, it’s helpful in a while to take a broad view of ergonomics or how it improves your life. What is ergonomics? Let’s start with FittingChairs right now.
What Is Ergonomics?
When it comes to find an answer for what is ergonomics, most have just thought that it is something to do related to kind of seating or with the design of some instruments.
However, it is so much more than you’ve known.
What does ergonomics mean? Originally, the word ergonomics comes from the Greek word “ergon” which refers to work and “nomos” which means laws.
Source: Safety Management Group
“Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system,” according to the International Ergonomics Association.
Ergonomics applies to the design of anything that is associated with people, such as workspaces, health and safety and even sports and leisure.
That’s such a great field.
When it comes to the ergonomic meaning, it’s not difficult to understand that ergonomics draws on many disciplines to optimize the interaction between the work environment and the worker.
Benefits Of Ergonomics
Besides figuring out what is ergonomics in the workplace, you need to know that a good ergonomic design will remove incompatibilities between the work and the worker and create the optimal work environment.
Generally, ergonomics aims to improve workspaces and environments to minimise risk of injury or harm.
Ergonomics leads to healthy and pain-free workers who are more likely to be engaged and productive.
What are some examples of ergonomics detailed benefits?
Fewer Employees Experiencing Pain
Source: Cardinus
Implementing ergonomic improvements can reduce the risk factors that lead to discomfort.
Increased Savings
When you apply ergonomic designs, they definitely improve employee’s work possibility with less hurt. There are fewer workers’ compensation claims.
As per data of Oregon OSHA 2007, the indirect costs involved bring the total average claim cost to well over $32,000.
More Productive And Sustainable Employees
Some kind of adjustable instruments like ergonomic chairs will also improve employee engagement and reduce absenteeism, too.
Afterward, it will create higher productivity and better product quality in the workplace or even in the hospitality industry or architecture.
Increased Morale
Also, attention to ergonomics can make employees feel valued because they know their employer is making their workplace safer.
Ergonomic Hazards And Why Ergonomic Equipment Is Important?
If you are finding answers to what is ergonomic in the workplace, you will easily see that there are many potential ergonomic hazards lurking.
These issues below will be an answer for why ergonomics is important:
Poor Sitting Posture
Source: REMI Network
The problem is, your spine ends up working overtime to pick up the slack. So, it’s quite necessary to know what is ergonomics? It might tackle well.
Awkward Postures
When you bend, twist, or overreach, these postures push the joints past the mid-range of motion, leaving you a lot more susceptible to ergonomic injuries.
Ergonomic equipment will solve for you!
Prolonged Stationary Position
What is ergonomic in the workplace? It is necessary to have ergonomic chairs, especially when we stay in the same position every day for many hours in the form of sitting in a chair.
For longer, it will lead to a drop in metabolism, muscle atrophy, rise in bad cholesterol, and resistance to insulin.
Repetitive Movements
Performing repetitive motions repeatedly.
Source: Stuhvertrieb
Although it’s quite small, it can cause microtrauma to the surrounding tendons and tissues.
Till the end, it may lead to inflammation and eventually dysfunction.
Example Of Ergonomic Equipments
Here are some essential ergonomic equipment that can help reduce the chances of developing ergonomic issues:
- Ergonomic Office Chairs
Source: NBS Commercial Interiors
- Kneeling Chairs
- Saddle Chairs
- Ergonomic Mouse
- Balance Balls
- Ergonomic Keyboards
- Keyboard Trays
- Laptop Stands
- Desk Risers
- Standing Desks
Ergonomics Specialization
What is ergonomics domains of specialization? Are they special?
In fact, there exist domains of specialization within the discipline related to what is ergonomics domains.
These represent deeper competencies in specific human attributes or characteristics of human interaction.
As per the International Ergonomics Association, there are three big domains of ergonomics: physical, cognitive, and organizational.
- Physical Ergonomics: Related to physical activity like human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological.
- Workplace Ergonomics: Related to about building a better workplace
Cognitive Ergonomics: Related to mental aspects, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, etc.
See more:
- What Do Ergonomic Principles Tell You?
- Ergonomic Hazard Series: Definition, Effects and Prevention
- How Often Might Ergonomic Training Be Offered in the Workplace?
What is ergonomics? Have you already known about this more clearly? If you’re still new to the ergonomics field or you’re wondering about how to choose the right office chair or ergonomics accessories, don’t forget to visit FittingChairs to know.
