The Importance of Ergonomics
Many people think that living an ergonomic lifestyle is just for people who are overly concerned with health or the environment.Skeptics think that the term “ergonomics” is overrated, overused and overstated and is not really necessary. They think it means extra, unneeded expenses and “high tech” equipment.
Ergonomics began with the Greeks many years ago and thus, “ergonomics” is a Greek word, as “ergon” means work and “nomos” means natural law. In other words, it literally means “how to work according to nature” – as opposed to fighting against what is naturally best for us. Then, in the nineteenth century, Frederik Winslow Taylor developed what is known as Scientific Management. Taylor’s idea was for factory workers to be able to produce more goods while working the same amount of hours. In the 1900’s, Frank Gilbreth took Taylor’s ideas and developed Time and Motion Studies. The ideas of ergonomics continued to develop. In 1943, an Army officer, Alphonse Chapanis, learned that if the control layouts in the cockpits of planes were simplified, the pilots made fewer errors. In other words, all of these men learned that if we do things in a different way, we can often be more productive.
Ergonomics can be a truly complex science when you consider that it is a mix of many things including engineering, psychology, biology, and design. The interaction of people and their surroundings is what ergonomics is all about. It can involve the comfort, health and safety of people as they work. It can also involve ways to move things around in an office or work place to allow people to work more effectively and optimize their performance.
So, how can ergonomics be helpful to an average person like you? Let’s consider how ergonomics can make a difference. Any activity that you do on a regular basis is going to cause stress to your body. If you consistently sit all day on a chair at a desk in your office, typing or filing or any other duties, you are going to begin to feel the effects. Your arm may start to ache after typing for awhile, so you rub it and keep on typing, knowing you have to get your work done. As your legs begin to ache from sitting so long, you move them around and finally get up to get a drink of water. Your back may start to hurt and you find yourself squirming in your chair to find a more comfortable position. Your eyes begin to burn as you stare at your monitor and you find yourself using eye drops quite frequently.
Even though the entire concept of ergonomics may be complicated, it does not have to be difficult for the average person to comprehend. Your body is being stressed day in and day out and you need to be comfortable so you can perform better. Let’s look at the example above of a really bad day – when your body is screaming for relief. You begin to feel tired and irritable. The last thing you want to do is work, because it is making you miserable and you spend most of the day thinking about how glad you will be to get home. You consider taking some pain relievers, maybe even asking for the day off to rest or even go see your doctor. On and on it goes.
Ergonomics is based on some basic concepts of health, comfort and productivity. In other words, when you are healthy and comfortable, you are going to be able to do the work better. You’re going to feel better, you’re going to be more positive about your job, and you are going to get much more work done. It’s really common sense.
You will be able to do your work more effectively with an ergonomic office desk because you will be sitting at the right height and have the room you need. Ergonomic office chairs will allow you to be the right height for your computer screen and also allow your feet to touch the floor. These adjustments will give your body the proper arm, back and seat support to do your work more efficiently without undue strain and fatigue. Office ergonomics is really not a strange idea when you consider that you are going to be more comfortable, healthier and get more work done. You are going to do the same work, why not be comfortable while you’re doing it?
So, the next time you consider ergonomics, think positive. Because ergonomic products are used by people everywhere today, it does not have to be “Greek” to you any longer. You will enjoy hours of comfort and rest as you work and play while using these affordable, adjustable products. Ergonomics is not some weird science made up to confuse you or scare you. It is a lifestyle to help you do the best you can in the environments in which you work and enjoy leisure time. You will find the most satisfaction and comfort by upgrading to this standard of everyday living.