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All About Office Ergonomics
What is ergonomics? According to WebMD, “Ergonomics is the study of the kind of work you do, the environment you work in, and the tools you use to do your job.” The goal of office ergonomics is to adjust the workspace to the needs of the individual so that discomfort of the back, neck, eyes, wrists and hands are minimized. People who work in a well-designed ergonomic workstation find that they have fewer headaches or eye strains, as well as less neck and back pain. Workers should protect themselves by paying attention to how long they sit, the positions they find themselves in, the movements made, the temperature, the lighting and their posture to ensure they always have occupational health in mind.
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. Younger workers work their best with surrounding light measured at 86.9 cd/m2 and older workers work best at 62.2 cd/m2. Ergonomics consultants would not recommend low surrounding light with high task lighting. Instead, surrounding lights should be just slightly below task lighting. Color has also proven to have important psychological influences in the workplace. Colorful environments improve productivity and creativity over plain white walls. Ideally, a room will have cool-colored walls (like blue or green) and warm-colored furniture. Daylight is also important for high-quality office environments because it contributes to the regulation of human circadian rhythms, heart rates and body temperatures.
Dr. James Levine MD from The Mayo Clinic says that the office ergonomics of the future will likely focus on creating a more active environment. When one considers that two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, the need for more movement is obvious. In his research, he found that thin people tend to be on their feet an average of 2.5 hours more each day than people who are overweight. He imagines that employees may stand in front of a raised workstation while walking on the treadmill one day. They’ll carry mobile phones and walk around, rather than sit at a desk station. “We have meeting rooms, but for small groups we prefer the track,” Dr. Levine says, referring to a two-lane walking track that circles his building. “So when (we) ‘take a meeting’ we also take a walk.” Each workplace will have an exercise facility, as recommended in the September 2005 Ergonomics Report. The idea is that workplace design that reduces health risks and promotes a healthier workforce will ultimately be the most productive.
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.
Computer Office Furniture.Modern Computer Workstation. Contemporary Computer Workstation – Spacify.
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Omnirax Presto Computer Keyboard Shelf – Only Black $126.00 Sliding shelf fits the Omnirax Presto desk….. |
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Black Workstation Loft Bed – Coaster 460092 $1,154.99 Black Workstation Loft Bed from Coaster is great for kids and college dorm bedrooms. The frame is metal making it sturdy and stable. The loft bed fits a full size mattress. The workstation has a desk with a rack for books, cds, and other things.Assemblyis required.This loft bed is usually in stock and ships to you at no additional charge.Dimensions:Loft Bed (Coaster Model 460092) 72.625 H x 69.625… |
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Folding Laptop Desk/Tray Table LD1527-NB Finish: Natural Pictured in Light Walnut Features: -Folding laptop desk/tray table.-Unique patented folding design.-Hinge lock can be released by pressing the solid brass lock buttons.-Folds flat for easy storage.-Can be carried under one arm.-Users may place their feet on the base for added stability.-Can be stored easily under a couch, on a shelf or stand up in closet.-Clean with a dam… |
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Belkin BE112230-08 12-Outlet Home/Office Surge Protector with Telephone and Coaxial Protection $49.99 Amazon.com Product Description .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: 20px; } table.callout { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, serif; margin: 10px; width: 250; } td.callout { height: 100%; background: #9DC4D8 url(http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electroni… |
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Belkin Pivot-Plug Surge Protectors $49.99 Features a rotating outlet design that gives you much more convenience and flexibility in placing your plugged-in devices than traditional products Belkin Pivot Plug Surge Protectors provide premium power protection for your professional workstations and connected devices. It’s rotating outlet design gives you much more convenience and flexibility in placing your plugged-in devices than traditiona… |
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Command 17379 Cord Organizer Pack $9.06 Keep cords tangle-free with the Command Cord Organizer Pack, a damage-free solution for organizing your home or office. This set of cord clips, powerful adhesive strips, and a cord bundler will help you create a tidy and safe entertainment center or computer workstation. Thanks to the innovative Command Adhesive strips, you can mount and remount these clips without damaging your walls–no nails, t… |
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HON Products – HON – 38000 Series L Group Corner Sleeve Connector, 22-1/2w x 18d, Black Metal – Sold As 1 Each – Connects desk and return as well as other components to provide more space. – Worksurface is high-pressure laminate with steel-reinforced top for superior rigidity and strength. – Attaches (hardware included) to underside to provide space for computer peripherals. – Fits 1 1/8 thick tops. – Keyboard platform (sold separately) can mount below. $54.44 HON – 38000 Series “L” Group Corner Sleeve Connector, 22-1/2w x 18d, Black Metal – Sold As 1 EachConnects desk and return to provide more space. Worksurface is high-pressure laminate with steel-reinforced top for strength. Attaches (hardware included) to underside to provide space for computer peripherals. Fits 1 1/8″ thick tops. Black. 22 1/2w x 18d. Top Color: Black; Width: 22 1/2 in; Depth: 18 … |
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Sit Stand Recline Workstation Model 300 $2,995.00 A workstation solution to computer users who work from a reclining position. The Model 300 is smaller than the model 500 and has legs on one side, using a cantilever to support the monitor, tabletop, and keyboard. It can support 17 monitors anywhere on its surface, and will securely position the monitor at angles up to 55 degrees using its motorized monitor tilt platform. The adjustable keyboard m… |
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Sit Stand Recline Workstation Model 500 $3,995.00 A workstation solution to computer users who work from a reclining position. The Model 500 straddles a bed or recliner and can hold up to 21 monitors anywhere on its tabletop, and will securely position the monitor at angles up to 55 degrees using its motorized monitor tilt platform. The adjustable keyboard mechanism and motorized height adjustment make ergonomic configuration easy – even for the … |
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Belkin 12-Outlet Home/Office Surge Protector with Phone/Ethernet/Coaxial Protection and Extended Cord $18.79 SAFETY COVERS FOR OUTLETSSLIM DESIGN FOR COMPACT STORAGEORGANIZES CABLES WITH DETACHABLE CORD MANAGEMENT CLIPFLAT-PROFILE PLUG12 OUTLETS1-IN/2-OUT TELEPHONE/MODEM PROTECTION RJ45 & COAXIAL PROTECTION3960 JOULES10-FT EXTENDED CORDLIFETIME PRODUCT WARRANTY$300000 CONNECTED EQUIPMENT WARRANTYUPC : 722868594339Shipping Dimensions : 15.00in X 6.50in X 2.25inEstimated Shipping Weight : 2.4313… |