Office Ergonomics

Office Ergonomics is the utmost thing to be considered for maintaining good ergonomics at the office. An example of Office Ergonomics is to have a better view of the monitor and see the images clearly if you take good care in selecting the right level of illumination and place it appropriately.

Normally, brighter lighting or sources that cause glare on your monitor lead to eyestrain or headaches which may force you to work in awkward postures (Ergonomic Seating) to have a better view of the screen.

The comfort of the user and hence his productivity is related to the aeration and moisture levels in the Office Ergonomic environment. We shall take a look at the 3 factors that affect the workstation environment.

• Lighting
• Glare
• Ventilation

Office Ergonomics Environment Quick Tips

1. You should design your office in such a way that the glare from overhead lights, desk lamps, and windows is reduced to a maximum.
2. Your office room should be designed in such a way as to m aintain appropriate air circulation.
3. Do not sit directly under air conditioning vents that push air right on top of you.

Office Ergonomics Disorders

Until now we have been discussing the different ways by which, you get affected by sitting in front of the computer for long hours and the different options that you can try to avoid them. Though you follow all those recommendations and solutions to the best of your capability, there are still other kinds of hazards like task organization that can strengthen the effect of other risk factors, such as repetition.

   Moreover, if you fail to recognize early warning signs, they may lead to small problems to develop into serious injuries. If you concentrate more on task organization factors and medical awareness, it can help you to minimize the risk of developing Ergonomic problems and stop further advancement to injury.

Let us discuss two important factors in this context.

(i) Prolonged Periods of Activity

(ii) Medical Awareness and Training

Probable Risks of Office Ergonomics Disorders

        Computers are a part of life these days. They play the role of a teacher, mailman, newspaper, and television. The software industry also provides jobs to many people. Computer work, when viewed from a total body outlook, may seem to be an effortless activity, whether it's for a job or for fun.

But, if the user performs highly repetitive tasks for prolonged periods in the same posture, it may cause discomforts in localized areas of the body. For instance, everybody depends on the mouse while working on the computer. If this is used for a few minutes, it should not be a problem for most users.

But performing this task continuously for more than a few uninterrupted hours can expose the small muscles and tendons of the hand to hundreds or even thousands of activations (repetitions). The user may not get enough time between activations for rest and recovery, which can cause localized fatigue, wear and tear, and injury.

Similarly, if the user maintains static postures continuously, such as viewing the monitor without taking a break, it can fatigue the muscles of the neck and shoulder that support the head.

Feasible Solutions of Office Ergonomics Disorders :

1. Try to vary your tasks and Office Ergonomics, so that you get ample time to recover from the outcome of your activity. Different ways are being practiced to provide recovery time for overused muscles.
2. Design your Ergonomic Office in such a way that you can easily change your working postures according to your convenience. It is always safe to select adjustable furniture for the workstation that allows you to shift to different seated postures every time you want to. This helps different muscle groups to provide support while others rest.
3. Your work area should be spacious enough to let you use the mouse with either hand alternately. Thus the tendons and muscles of the free hand get enough relaxation.
4. Reduce your dependence on the mouse and use more of shortcut keys. For example, you can use Ctrl+S to save, Ctrl+P to print etc. Certain jobs do require more dependence on the mouse. Users in such professions should learn to use more shortcut keys.
5. Jobs that involve more repeated tasks or prolonged static postures may lead to muscular strain. The users should forcefully take several short breaks or relaxed pauses. The users should stand, stretch, and move around during such breaks. This increases blood circulation and gives enough time for the muscles to relax.
6. Try to mix computer tasks and non-computer tasks alternately in all possible situations. T his encourages the movement of different parts of the body by using different muscle groups.