What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit human body, its movement and its cognitive abilities. 

The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows: 

"Ergonomics (or Human Factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of  interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance"

Ergonomics is employed to fulfill the two goals of health & productivity. It is relevant in the design of such things as safe furniture and easy-to-use interfaces to machines and equipment. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long term disability. 

Ergonomics in the workplace

Outside of the discipline itself, the term 'ergonomics' is generally used to refer to physical ergonomics as it relates to the workplace (as in for example ergonomic chairs and keyboards). Ergonomics in the workplace has to do largely with the safety of employees, both long and short-term. Ergonomics can help reduce costs by improving safety. This would decrease the money paid out in workers’ compensation. For example, over five million workers sustain overextension injuries per year. Through ergonomics, workplaces can be designed so that workers do not have to overextend themselves and the manufacturing industry could save billions in workers’ compensation.

Workplaces may either take the reactive or proactive approach when applying ergonomics practices. Reactive ergonomics is when something needs to be fixed, and corrective action is taken. Proactive ergonomics is the process of seeking areas that could be improved and fixing the issues before they become a large problem. Problems may be fixed through equipment design, task design, or environmental design. Equipment design changes the actual, physical devices used by people. Task design changes what people do with the equipment. Environmental design changes the environment in which people work, but not the physical equipment they use

How can you find out more about Ergonomics?

Here are some very useful links where you can find more information about Ergonomics. 

1. Human Factors & Ergonomics Society of Australia Inc: HFESA is the professional organization of ergonomists and human factors specialists in Australia

2. Find a CPE (Certified Professional Ergonomist) in Australia: A CPE (Certified Professional Ergonomist) has been accredited by the HFESA as being able to provide high quality expert advice in ergonomics and human factors 

3. Certified Professional Ergonomists - Occupational Health and Safety Experts in Australia. 

4. Information on Computer and Office ergonomics: Healthycomputing.com has assembled the world's foremost experts to provide unbiased information on computer-related health and safety. Developed through the joint efforts of nearly a dozen leading ergonomists, physicians, and physical therapists, healthycomputing.com is the premier source for office ergonomics. 

Common ailments and syndromes caused due to improper laptop usage

Hand or Wrist Pain | Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful disorder of the hand caused by pressure on the main nerve that runs through the wrist. Pain is located at the heel of the hand and may refer to the index, middle and ring fingers. Common Symptoms are: Numbness, Pins and Needles in the thumb, index & middle figure, intense pain at night, sharp pain in the wrist, radiated or referred pain into the arm and shoulder.

Most Common Occupational Related Causes are: by a mixture of factors including - Typing for prolonged period without rest, Forceful and repetitive movements with your hands using the mouse or keyboard, Faulty positioning of the keyboard at an increased tilt causing excessive bending of the wrist, Size of your hand does not conform to the size of your mouse thereby causing excessive bending forces to the nerves and tendons of the wrist/hand.

Helping Suggestions: Take regular breaks every 30-40 minutes to stretch your hands and upper limb, Ultra-Flat, soft touch or split keyboard to reduce finger travel time while typing, Wrist rests for keyboard or mouse use to position the wrist in a neutral alignment and decrease pressure on the nerve at the wrist, Wireless IT accessories to reduce drag on upper limb/hand.

Neck and/or Shoulder Pain | Neck Tension Syndrome | Trapezius Myalgia | Tech Neck|

Neck pain most commonly as a result of muscular fatigue secondary to overuse. Pain at the base of the neck and between the shoulders and often radiated into the upper arm. Common Symptoms are: Aching discomfort at the base of neck and upper back, Discomfort can be located to one side of neck and shoulder and/or upper arm, Headaches due to tension in neck muscles, intermittent muscle spasms in neck muscles, dull pain may refer to the upper limb, elbow, forearm and hands

Most Common Occupational Related Causes are: Sitting unsupported and leaning forward in chair for prolonged periods, Monitor height not in line with seated eye level and/or too far to the side, Cradling handset with neck during long phone conversations can compress joint structures thereby causing muscle tension, Insufficient back support from chair, Typing with your elbows and forearms unsupported can create neck muscle fatigue, Repetitive head tilting while referring to documents.

Helping Suggestions: Take regular breaks every 30-40 minutes and stretch neck muscles, Use a Monitor arm or monitor stand to promote optimal monitor height (Our Notebook Stand Product is perfect for this). In-line document stand to neutralize neck position and prevent unnecessary head tilting while referring to documents, Make sure the chair back is high enough to support the spine while seated and not push the shoulders forward, Headset to promote neutral neck posture during phone use

Cervical Radiculopathy (Cervical Disc Syndrome, Spinal Stenosis)

Injury to the vertebrae or disks in the neck causing a pressure on the nerve roots exiting close to the spine. Discomfort on one side of the neck and back of the arm, sometimes radiating to the fingers. Common Symptoms are: Pain that radiates down into your arms from your neck, Pins and needles or numbness in forearm and particular fingers, Pain often exacerbated with certain positions of the neck, Weakness in your arm is a warning sign that the condition is serious.

Most Common Occupational Related Causes are: Sitting unsupported and leaning forward in chair for prolonged periods, Unnecessary repetitive reaching, Insufficient back support from chair forcing neck and spine to slouch, Typing with your elbows and forearms unsupported can create neck muscle fatigue and nerve pressure, Cradling handset with neck during long phone conversations can compress nerve structures, Repetitive head tilting while referring to documents can reduce joint space for the nerve exiting the spine.

Helping Suggestions: Take regular breaks every 30-40 minutes and stretch neck muscles, Use a Monitor arm or monitor stand to promote optimal monitor height (Our Notebook Stand Product is perfect for this). In-line document stand to neutralize neck position and prevent unnecessary head tilting while referring to documents, Make sure the chair back is high enough to support the spine while seated and not push the shoulders forward, Headset to promote neutral neck posture during phone use.

Shoulder & Arm Pain | Thoracic Outlet Syndrome 

It is a compression injury to the nervous or blood vessel bundles from narrow passageways at the base of the neck passing under your collarbone and into your arm. Common Symptoms are: The arms and hands feel cool and tire easily, Vague, aching pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand, Overhead activities are particularly difficult.

Most Common Occupational Related Causes are: Sitting unsupported and leaning forward in chair for prolonged periods, Unnecessary repetitive reaching (especially, overhead movements), Insufficient back support from chair forcing neck and spine to slouch as the shoulders follow, Typing with your elbows and forearms unsupported and shoulders rolled forward can compress nerves and blood vessels in the armpit.

Helping Suggestions: Take regular breaks every 30-40 minutes, avoid prolonged unsupported sitting positions, Use a monitor arm or monitor stand to promote optimal monitor height, Make sure all necessary documentation and equipment are within easy reach (Our Notebook Stand Product is perfect for this). In- line Document stand to neutralize neck position and prevent unnecessary head tilting while referring to documents, Make sure the chair back is a high back chair to support the spine while seated and not push the shoulders forward, Forearm support to promote forearm and wrist support while seated.