Ergonomics... preventing workplace injuries
Some years ago, employers became aware of the dangers of personal injury to workers because of the poor design of the office furniture and/or the improper use of equipment. Time away from work for such injuries was costing companies a great deal of money in short-term benefits. They researched a way that would prevent or at least reduce such injuries.
Those employers that took the initiative to implement safer ways for their employees to get the job done were often rewarded either monetarily with better premium rates or with safe worker environment awards from the former WCB (Workers Compensation Board) now known under the name WSIB (Workers Safety Insurance Board).
The word ergonomics emerged on the scene. This is the science of matching the job to the worker and the worker to the product. Great care is now being taken to see to it that workers are protected while remaining as productive as possible.
You may be saying to yourself, " why would that concern me as a person working from home as an online business owner?" Ergonomics applies even more to such workers because at home we often just pull ourselves up to whatever surface is available to us and get down to work. We use a chair that is ill-suited and pay little attention to our work environment. We most often move whatever used furniture we have in the house into our office.
The science of Ergonomics impacts all aspects or our work environment as follows:
WORK SURFACE: Make sure that the work surface you are using is at a comfortable height so that you are not reaching up nor down to conduct your work. Make sure that your knees can fit comfortably underneath the desk without having to reach forward to work. This will relieve the lower back strain and neck tightness that often follows poor posture.
LIGHTING: Task lighting is preferred over room lighting as it gives greater illumination right where you need it most, and it reduces eye strain.
MONITOR: The safest distance for you to be positioned from your computer monitor is at arm's length. This protects your eyes from fatigue.
KEYBOARD: Ideally your keyboard and/or laptop keypad should be positioned slightly lower than your shoulders to prevent upper back and neck strain.
WRISTS: Our wrists should rest on the keyboard or laptop keypad with the elbows slightly raised. You should not be reaching up nor down while typing. This will alleviate the pressure on your wrists, forearms, and shoulders and ward off carpal tunnel syndrome; a consequence of repetitive movements such as typing.
CHAIR: The chair should have a high enough back to fully support your spine. The hollow at the base of your spine should be filled in so it relieves pressure on the lower back. An obus form or several pillows will suffice.
FEET: It used to be thought that while typing you should place your feet flat on the floor under the desk in order to increase efficiency. Current thinking realizes the tremendous pressure this put on the lower legs and calves. It is now suggested that you raise your feet off the floor at about a 45 degree angle accomplished with the use of a slanted foot rest. These are available for purchase at most office supply stores.
Marion Noon
Recent Comments
19
Good advice for us sitting at our computer for hours. I learned to make my own ergonomic desk while I was working. It really does make a difference.
Great Marion. We have heard this before, but it pays to be reminded that we have to pay attention to these issues, especially when we spend so much time in front of the computer. Being tall, i know that I need to protect my lower back. For all of us, ignoring this kind of advice can lead to all kinds of health issues down the road.
My recliner seems to work pretty well with lap top at arms distance! Trialynn.... I agree with the napping in between sessions my recliner works well for this also!
And I like to type in bed - wonder how those ergonomics work out? It is easier to nap between sessions if you are already in bed. Now when I fall asleep typing, my head hits a pillow instead of a keyboard!
I hear ergonomics is actually quite important, thanks for pointing these important fact out!
See more comments
Hi Marion you can come over to Thailand and do my office yours sounds very comfortable, My plastic chair with a cushion on it is ok , but i have to lean forward to see the display properly because I only have one eye that works and the other one is fast fading so the arms length thing is a no no, The slanted foot rest sounds nice , I understand your Ergonomics thing but when you have no real office work space and have to make do with a corner in the Lounge its not always and easy thing to achieve , When I earn enough money to build my House over here , I have promised myself my own space.
Like a small Office/Study.
Come the revolution.
Ray Bowley ( Merryman88 )