What does ergonomic mean?

(Top 5 Ergonomic tips)

The human body is an amazing machine assigned the job of carrying our thoughts, personalities, interests, and skills wherever we go for the duration of our lives. Unfortunately, this same body also begins to wear and tear as we get older with each execution of a repetitive task possibly leading to an unpleasant medical condition, chronic pain or discomfort. The good news is that just like any tool or equipment you own, applying some tender loving care can keep everything functioning properly for years to come. This is where the study of ergonomics and its proper implementation helps us accomplish our day to day tasks with minimal damage to our bodies. It is my goal today to leave you with an appreciation for the things you use every day and some tips for how to help make your body last doing the things you do. 

The word “ergonomics” consists of the Greek words “ergo” (work) – “nomos” (laws) to mean laws of work. At its core ergonomics deals with the interactions, people have with the products they use. Adherence to ergonomics is expressed as the concept of fitting the work area to the worker. As you can imagine the workplace can vary greatly from person to person as do the tools or actions they use to complete their task. The application and practice of ergonomics is a fairly new concept. Before the 1940s a job was well done when it was completed and little thought was given about the worker until their performance declined. Fortunately, the researchers concluded that putting unnecessary stress on the employee’s body is counterproductive and ergonomic enhancements offer relief and sustainability.

Making something ergonomic means:

• Maintaining posture so that there are proper bone and joint alignment reducing fatigue and discomfort
• Managing forces such as lift and carry, push and pull gravity 
• Reducing the physical stresses of repetitive motions

Addressing these issues has been clinically proven to raise employee morale, improve performance and reduce muscular-skeletal health conditions employees or workers can face. Designers of ergonomic products have a tall order to fill and they complete them with our bodies best interests in mind.

Ergonomic products that are created for consumers need to take the below into consideration:

• Comfortable to use for many users or Targeted to a specific demographic set –
• Anthropometric studies (measurements of human beings) provide statistical data for key points such as average height, arm length, strength, etc. These figures all change depending on areas such as countries, continents, climates
• Make sense for the task at hand – placement such as a car radio in reach when you are driving
• Intuitive in the way they are used –  can the item or tool be picked up to be moved and can it be used without instructions?
• Length of time product will be used per instance – Toilette seat versus an office chair has different levels of comfort and materials
• Is the item shared? Office chairs need adjustment to fit many different body sizes

Learning some of the criteria that are followed in the design process one can really begin to appreciate a comfortable and well put together product. But…no matter how good the product, much of its success and function still depends on the user. This most evidently occurred to me when I was shopping around for cooking knives. A few of my friends are certified chefs so I decided to leverage their knowledge when looking to buy a set of cooking knives to satisfy my desire to eat healthier. What knife set should I get? I asked them. Unanimously they answered that there is no such thing as a perfect set and that I should select knives by gripping them and feeling each one out for its intended purpose. What is comfortable for me may not be for you and vice versa.

The gains for health and productivity are all within your reach as long as you take the time to understand your body and its needs. With that, I would like to leave you with an ergonomic checklist I always use which along with our recommended products should give you the tools you need. Good luck and work comfortably!

Ergonomic Tips:

• Measure the work area you will be using and have realistic expectations of desk dimensions or chair sizes. Pro Tip – use masking tape to outline areas of furniture for better visual representation
• Measure your body 
• height of legs bent at 90 degrees from the floor
• height of arms bent at 90 degrees from the floor (sitting and standing)
• When buying new items try to feel them out in person to see if they satisfy you in their shape, feel and materials 
• Where possible use a trial period in case you are not satisfied and can exchange or return 
• If buying expensive items pay close attention to warranty durations