Ergonomics is the scientific, interdisciplinary study of individuals and their relationship
to their environment, work, home or leisure.
The word, ergonomics, is derived from the Greek words ergos meaning "work"
and nomos meaning "laws"; therefore, we have the laws of work.
Ergonomics can be further defined as the design of the workplace, equipment, machine,
tool, product, environment, and system, taking into consideration human's physiological,
biomechanical, and psychological capabilities.
Many people would think of computing as an activity without risk. However, more
and more of us are becoming aware of Upper Limb Disorders or (ULDs) for computer
users, including amongst others, tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis.
These injuries are not mere nuisances. They can cause severe pain, lost workdays,
and result in surgery.
Ergonomics in the Workplace
Computers are continually becoming faster and faster and allow users to increase
work rates and reduce time spent on many common tasks. The introduction of LCD /
TFT monitors provides the employer with the ideal opportunity to create a truly
ergonomic environment for their employees by utilising height and reach adjustable
mounting solutions.
Whether it is an office, call centre, medical or industrial environment ErgoMounts
can provide a number of solutions for mounting LCD monitors, keyboards and mice
along with the CPU.
In addition to the benefits to the employee in general comfort and wellbeing, by
creating a more ergonomic workplace the employer may benefit from greater productivity
and less absence due to Upper Limb Disorder (ULD) related issues.
MedicalMounts products coupled with in-house ergonomics expertise
can enable optimum solutions to be created for a wide range of applications and
users.
1. Use a good chair with easy and intuitive adjustment of the chair back, and seat
height. If fitted, armrests should be adjustable and preferably easily removable
where required.
2. The top of the monitor casing should be approximately at eye level.
3. Ensure there is minimal reflection on the surface of the monitor. Consider repositioning
the monitor/workstation in relation to windows or lights if feasible. Also use of
suitable window blinds and shielded light fittings should be considered.
4. Sit at approximately arms length from the monitor.
5. Feet should be on the floor or on a stable footrest.
6. If the task involves frequent reference to paper documents, use a document holder.
7. Wrists should be flat and straight in relation to forearms when using keyboard/mouse/input
device.
8. Arms and elbows should be relaxed and reasonably close to body.
9. Centre the monitor and keyboard directly in front of you (unless the monitor
is not part of the primary task).
10. Ensure you have ample desktop space for the task to be performed. Remove any
clutter from the surrounding area. Use of under desk CPU holders can free desk space.
11. Take frequent short breaks, and/or alternative tasks not involving close focus
work similar to viewing the monitor, and allowing changes of posture.
There are also legal obligations of the employer towards their employees. The Health
and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) regulations 1992 focus on computer use whilst
in the place of employment. The Health and Safety Executive publish both books and
leaflets on the regulations with the latest being: >Work with Display Screen
Equipment - Guidance on Regulations, L26, 2003 published by HSE Books
1. Make sure your forearms and wrists are approximately parallel to the ground.
The hand should be straight in relation to the forearm, not flexed up or down. Keeping
your hands in this position puts less pressure on the nerves and tendons passing
through your wrist, thus helping avoid irritation. You can accomplish this by adjusting
the height of your chair and/or the position and angle of the keyboard until your
forearms and hands are in the right posture. A good wrist rest can help in relieving
pressure when not typing.
2. Your eyes should be level with the top of the monitor. This will insure that
your head and neck are in a more natural position.
3. Feet should be flat on the floor. If they do not touch the floor or if you tend
to use the base of the chair to rest your feet, then if adjustment of the chair
keyboard and monitor cannot achieve a comfortable posture, a footrest should be
used.
4. For most tasks, your monitor should be directly in front of you. You should not
be twisting your body left or right in order to work at your computer. For tasks
involving copy typing from a printed document, then the priority should be to have
this document in your direct line of sight, avoiding twisting to read it. It may
then be appropriate to have the monitor to the left or right.
As stated above, wrist rests and footrests can be used to help achieve the right
posture. Also, adjustable keyboard trays can be used to give you more flexibility
while positioning your arms and hands. A document stand can hold papers so that
you do not have to constantly twist your neck to read from a document. The seat
height and back should adjust so that you may achieve the optimum posture. If arm
rests are fitted, these should be adjustable and where possible, removable by the
user. Armrests can sometimes prevent the best posture from being achieved due to
interference with the rest of the workstation.
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