Ergonomic Committee Symbols

Ergonomics or human engineering is a science that deals with designing as per human needs and comfort. Recently, a greater interest in ergonomics has developed due to laws that mandate safe work and home environment. Also, the findings that a safe environment leads to more productivity and efficiency have further stimulated the interest. Research in ergonomics deals with studying the relationship between various human capabilities and their working demands. This leads to the final evaluation and design of products and systems so as to tailor-make them to the abilities and limitations of people. The end product is a healthy home or work environment.

The five main aspects of ergonomics as ordained by The International Ergonomics Association are safety, comfort, ease of use, productivity/ performance and aesthetics. For example, the print on a medicine bottle should be large enough for a person to see the dosage. Ergonomics can help in designing this for perfect viewing. The contrast principles of ergonomics can design the display of an alarm clock in such a way so as to provide comfort to the viewer.

For the street signs to be of easy use, visual detection can be put to use ergonomically. The sound in a High Definition TV is lower than a regular one. So when you switch between the two, ergonomics understands this decibel difference and evens it out, resulting in better sound productivity. The aesthetic angle of ergonomics helps in putting up consistent and pleasing signage leading to easily accessible information.

Carefully considering ergonomics or human needs can improve health and safety by reducing the number of accidents and cases of ill-health at work. This naturally provides substantial benefits for business by cutting down on the medical costs and leave of absence. Wrong sitting and standing postures and various hazards in the workplace can injure the musculoskeletal system. These include carpal tunnel syndrome (a condition affecting the hand and wrist), tennis elbow (an inflammation of a tendon in the elbow), vibration, awkward postures, repetitive and forceful movements and acute differences in the temperature.

Ergonomics intervention is necessary for any kind of manual work including computer operation, office workstations, working in the laboratory, various trades and jobs in warehouses. One can start with adjusting one's sitting posture, the position of the computer keyboard and the height of the desk chair so as to allow the feet to rest flat on the floor. While lifting heavy objects, learn to do it the right way and prevent back injuries. Use gloves to reduce vibrations from power tools.

Try and adopt different healthy and safe postures throughout the time you are working. Wherever muscular force needs to be exerted do it by the largest appropriate muscle groups. Be particularly careful of the head, trunk and upper limbs. However, in order to put all these safe postures to use, we must learn to use our bodies the right way. We should consciously try and adopt the right sitting, standing or bending postures. Before buying work stations or furniture we need to check how far they are ergonomically designed. Just a little more effort on our part can help us to lead an ergonomically healthy life.

• Felicia Byrnes
• 07/05/2009, 10:59 PM
• 0 Comments