What is ergonomics - really?

Q: Where does the word ergonomics come from?

The word ergonomics comes from the Greek ergon , which means work, and nomos , which means law or rule.

Ergonomics is an increasingly common concept in the workplace; one that affects our everyday lives. An ergonomic workplace can help to prevent poor physical health, increase employee wellbeing and encourage productivity. Through the use of the right furniture and equipment coupled with an understanding of good working positions, it can help to prevent bodily aches and pains. The key to good ergonomics is to take into account physical, mental and social factors and each person's individual situation. But, what does ergonomics even mean?

Ergonomics means a holistic approach

The concept of ergonomics has long been limited to describing the relationship between people and products. This is still a significant aspect, and there are many functional and ergonomic products that make everyday life better, such as chairs for active sitting. But ergonomics has come to include much more than that. It's about a holistic view of the workplace: planning and adapting both the physical environment and the work itself to the staff. The same applies to those who often work from home.

Do you want to sit and exercise at the same time?

A woman stands on a workplace mat at a height-adjustable desk

Desk MODULUS

€569.00

A woman sits on an ergonomic balance stool and works at her desk

Balance stool ACTON

€199.00

Take individual differences into account

An ergonomic workplace is adapted to the people who work there, not the other way around. We thrive when our working conditions meet our individual physical and psychological needs. It is essential to consider individual differences in physical strength and size or the ability to handle information, for example. Based on these differences, you can then design and organise tasks, tools and the entire workplace in a more ergonomic way to prevent any posture or health issues.

Diagram showing how to sit correctly at a desk

Cognitive ergonomics

Cognitive ergonomics, also known as information ergonomics, deals with the interaction between humans and technology. The technology used in the workplace must be adapted to human capabilities to see, hear, understand, remember and make decisions. A computer system that does not fit the brain's way of processing information makes work more difficult and challenging. The workplace not only needs to be adapted for the body but also for the brain.

Safe lifting

Safe lifting looks at how lifting loads at work affects the body. Movement and lifting are good for the human body but problems arise when lifting is performed incorrectly or if the load is too heavy in relation to muscle strength. To avoid strain injuries caused by lifting, it is important to provide sufficient training on lifting techniques and supplement with lifting equipment such as lifting tables and mini stacker trucks.

Repetitive movements, too much sitting, and incorrect working positions can also cause strain injuries, this is known as “static loading”. You may need to make adjustments to the workplace to suit work tasks and those who perform them. Adjustable office chairs, sit-stand desks with ergonomic accessories, and anti-fatigue mats can significantly improve staff health and wellbeing.

Hand-intensive work

The term hand-intensive work means tasks performed with persistent rapid wrist movements combined with force. If such repetitive movements occur during a large part of the workday, it can cause strain-related injuries in the hand, arm and further up to the neck and shoulders. Examples of jobs that may contain hand-intensive work are kitchen professions, cleaning, mail sorting, assembly and nursing or care work.

Sound ergonomics

Noise is considered to be any sound that is not wanted and disturbs the work environment. This can include everything from loud sounds from work machines to the background noise of an office ventilation system. Noise does not need to reach a high sound level to be harmful but there is a risk of hearing damage at around 85 dB.

Noise and poor sound acoustics can also lead to stress-related problems. In professions where worker need to talk a lot (a call centre for example), a poor sound environment can lead to voice problems as they need to raise their voices unnecessarily to be heard. Acoustic panels, desk screens, and sound-absorbing floor screens absorb disruptive noise and contribute to a better work environment. Sound ergonomics is a vital factor to consider when designing a healthy workplace. Read up on how to be sound-smart at work!

Desk with a light grey, sound absorbent desk screen

Light ergonomics

When lighting during work hours is not optimal, there is a risk of headaches and eye strain. Moreover, it can lead to uncomfortable working positions and tension in the muscles when someone cannot see their work correctly or is exposed to glare from the screen. Review your workplace lighting so that everyone can feel and work better.

Good ergonomics pays off

Replacing the fixed desks in your office with height-adjustable ones or upgrading warehouse equipment to more ergonomic alternatives may seem like a big step. However, research shows that good ergonomics actually improve a companies' profitability. For example, a study conducted by ISSA showed that every dollar spent on improving the work environment gives back a return of at least twice as much. The positive effects are partly due to a reduction in sick leave and partly due to increased wellbeing and job satisfaction, resulting in higher productivity, efficiency, and quality. So when it's time to plan for the future, don't forget to think ergonomically!

Source: The return on prevention: Calculating the costs and benefits of investments in occupational safety and health in companies, International Social Security Association (ISSA)

What type of desk is right for you?

Woman sitting on a Pilates ball at a desk chatting to a colleague

Summary

€177.00

Excl. VAT

FAQ

Ergonomics is the study of human body in relation to the surrounding environment, such as the workplace, and the adaptation of the work environment to minimise the risk of strain and injuries to the body.

The office space can be adapted to the user with an adjustable office chair and a height-adjustable desk. There should also be plenty of legroom and a sufficient distance to the computer screen.

You should sit with your back fully supported by your office chair, feet flat on the floor, elbows at 90° on the desktop and the top of the screen in line with your eyes. The most critical thing is to change the sitting position frequently and alternate between sitting and standing.

For sedentary work, it is essential to incorporate movement into the workday in the form of micro-pauses, exercise breaks and lunchtime walks.

Common causes of strain injury in an office environment are repetitive monotonous movements in front of the computer or an unhealthy working position.

The word ergonomics comes from the Greek ergon, which means work, and nomos, which means law or rule.

Unnatural working positions can, in the worst case, lead to strain injuries and chronic musculoskeletal problems.

The dangers of prolonged sitting and how to stay active at work

5 things to consider when choosing an office chair

Get the latest product launches and offers sent direct to your inbox

Do you want to recieve exclusive offers, information about new products and inspiration on how you can improve your workplace? Sign up for our free newsletter and be the first to receive our best offers!

Please wait...

*By clicking subscribe, I confirm that I have read the privacy policy.