Tag Archives: ergonomics

Lots of Gadgets, Lots of Aches

Look around today they are everywhere: stooped shoulders, angled necks and wrists, hands twisted like claws. As people harness their bodies to use more electronic devices in more places, they may unknowingly be putting themselves at a greater risk of injury.

Some might say things were easier 20 years ago when employees worked mainly on desktop computers that could be adjusted for maximum comfort. Now people have added laptops, smartphones and tablets to their arsenals, and they are using or perhaps misusing them at work, at home and in trains, planes, hotels and cafes.

Visit any airport terminal in the U.S and you can see people using their laptops in awkward and distorted positions. Too much of this activity is bound to take a physical toll on the body. By positioning themselves improperly, people are at greater risk of eye stain, tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, to name just a few. Repetitive actions that lead to overuse of muscles and tendons can inflame them, causing pain in the hands, shoulders, neck and back.

Laptops are adding to these problems because they do not meet any of the ergonomic requirements for a computer system. The keyboard and the screen are connected, so if you place the keyboard at the ideal position for typing, the screen won’t be at the best distance for viewing. Docking stations that provide an extra keyboard or monitor can help solve this problem. Another lurking danger is touch screens. Keys that move up and down provide more of a cushion for the fingers, whereas the drumming of fingers against screens is harsher and can lead to soreness. For that reason, a tablet should not be used heavily for typing.

Think of our poor thumbs, which have been pressed into a level of service they were never meant to provide. Thumbs are more vulnerable than fingers because they have two bones instead of three. If you want to get injured, do a lot of texting and that includes the chance that you will collide with something while walking or driving. Texting has led to an increase in a condition known as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, where the tendons become so inflamed that it becomes painful to move your thumb, affecting your ability to hold things. These days, you can be texting your boss one minute and a friend the next and this greater mixing of work and personal life studies say it is placing more stress on the body. It can also make it harder to pinpoint what is causing a new physical problem.

Adding a device or routine can tip the scales toward an injury studies show. In this study it gave the example of a client who recently began typing on a propped-up tablet computer at home. That placed extra strain on her wrists so that typing at work, never a problem before, suddenly became painful.

To trace a pain’s origins, you may need to become a detective in your own life. As you seek to reduce or prevent pain, look for any repetitive and sustained activity in all the devices you use.

Don’t reduce psychological factors. Mental stress can cause you to tense your muscles, aggravating any existing physical stress. If you can, consult an ergonomics expert at your company to arrange the best possible setup for your devices at both work and home, along with a discussion of best practices. Notify your employer or consult a doctor if you experience pain or vision problems. A common health issue is vision impairment stemming from a monitor being placed at the wrong distance from the eyes. People often find problems like tendinitis because they aren’t supporting their arms when they use a mouse, causing a tighter grip and increasing muscle tension.

If you are hunched over while working, something is wrong. Look for the things that are pulling you forward and fix them. Sit back in your chair, support your feet if needed and make sure your arms are relaxed as you type. Check that the screen is close enough so that you can see clearly without strain, enlarging the type size if necessary. Be aware of these factors and try to approximate them as much as possible when you aren’t at your primary workstation.

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As you work match the technology to the task you want to perform. If what you’re doing is a lot of typing, you need a keyboard. Don’t try to type ‘War and Peace’ with your thumbs. The simplest and most well-worn piece of advice is one that people too often forget to follow: take a break. Separating yourself from your machines gives your muscles, and your mind, a rest that they richly deserve.

Five ways ergonomics changes your life

Ergonomics is a branch of science that draws on engineering, physiology and psychology. It is a made-up word, created by joining the Greek words ergos (work) and nomos (natural laws). While the word might sound obscure, the contribution ergonomics has made to everyday life is anything but. Here are five ways ergonomics shape our lives.

Behind the Wheel. People come in all shapes and sizes. Car manufacturers have to make sure the controls can be easily reached, and the dashboard displays easily seen, by the tallest and the smallest drivers. To do so, they study how people use the controls and how bodies can most comfortably fit into vehicles.

Good design and good ergonomics go hand in hand and cars are an excellent example. Car seats can now be adjusted any which way, and you can reach all the controls without having to stretch across yourself to do so. There’s a reason for that; all the car companies invest a lot in ergonomics. At the cheaper end of the market, car companies want to make cars accessible to as many people as possible. At the luxury end of the market, they’re selling optimum adjustability.

The branch of ergonomics that deals with human variability in size, shape and strength is called anthropometry. It is also widely applied to making more comfortable workplaces, such as back-friendly chairs.

Nuclear Power. In 1979, there was a core meltdown at Three Mile Island which is most dangerous type of nuclear plant accident. As coolant poured away from reactor, those on duty could not understand what was happening due to confusing information on their instruments. And so they inadvertently took action that made things worse. Bad ergonomics were partly to blame for making the nuclear leak worse. Bhopal and Chernobyl too have primarily been attributed to “operator error”.

At Three Mile Island, in Pennsylvania, no one died or was injured. But it led to far reaching reforms of how nuclear plants operate, which used ergonomics to work out more logical controls for staff. A 1979 report by the President’s Commission on the Accident at Three-Mile Island noted the control panel is huge, with hundreds of alarms, and there are some key indicators placed in locations where operators cannot see them.

Ergonomics experts were called in to give a crash course to Nuclear Regulatory Commission managers, engineers and scientists. And a panel investigating other plants found “haphazard” control rooms to be a widespread problem. In the US and abroad, the accident led to improved instrumentation and better control rooms.

Pretty Objects. It’s a cliché to hold up Apple’s sleek and stylish products as examples of good design, but all are highly regarded by ergonomists for combining good looks with usability.

An ergonomically designed device should do more than fit pleasingly into one’s hand. It should be as easy and intuitive to use as possible and that involves understanding how we think when carrying out tasks.

Usability is based on three things. Is it effective, doing what you want it to do? Is it efficient, can do this without too many mouse clicks? And is it satisfying, comfortable and pleasant to use?

Apple’s designers have a good understanding of what people want to do with these devices and then they test and test it to refine the end product.

Is the Mini-Cooper a brilliant ergonomic design? Most engineers would say no as it has many flaws. Is it enjoyable, wonderful to drive? Users of this vehicle would say yes because it is great fun. Emotion researchers know that when a person is in a good mood, the brain is flooded with hormones that make one sensitive to changes in the environment, relaxed about events in the world, and generally receptive to positive events. As a result, minor flaws and glitches can be overlooked.

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Under Wraps. We encounter packaging a dozen times a day. Many of our encounters probably involve us criticizing the poor ergonomics without ever using them. The worst examples are bits of packaging that are so poor ergonomically they actually constitute a minor danger to the people opening them.

Here in the US, the term “wrap rage” was coined to describe the frustration of trying to open a rigid plastic “clamshell” two bits of plastic molded together around a product. This type of packaging is typically used around electronics, software or other high cost items where the manufacturer does not want anybody clever stealing from the boxes

In the office. The place where the importance of ergonomics is most commonly expressed is in the office. While workplace ergonomics may have its divine home in heavy industry, today it is a hot office topic, because of office related injuries.The end result is people using nail scissors, knives, electric saws and even kitchen utensils to try to open them, with injuries frequently resulting either from the tool used or a jagged piece of plastic. There are companies like Amazon and Microsoft who are trying to make things a bit more ergonomic. The essence of ergonomic packaging design, is thinking about the ease of the consumer at every stage of the process.

The wonderful thing about office ergonomics is that employees have options. There are trackballs, sculpted mice to fit different hand shapes, mice to be used centrally rather than at the side, joysticks for people with hand tremors and mice designed to force the hand into a particular position and that’s just for mice.

Overall the key to adjustability. Everybody is a different shape and does things slightly differently than another. Some ergonomic processes can be disliked of course but the key is taking the time to figure out what works for you.

Ergonomics – Comfort you will feel

Nobody likes to feel uncomfortable especially at work. When you are uncomfortable it is hard to think straight and limits you from being able to accomplish your daily task. Spending too much time in poor positions can start to have a bad effect on your health. Ergonomics is all about arranging are environments so we can be comfortable and safe at work. The right equipment helps but you don’t have to spend a fortune. Small changes can make a big impact. In this article I will explain some ways to help you improve your office and your health.

Posture is important. When your body is in proper alignment you feel better which means you can work better. This is referred to as a neutral body posture. Your feet should be flat on the floor, or on a foot rest. Your knees and thighs are level or slightly lower than your hips. The small curve in your lower back is supported. Your shoulders and elbows are relaxed and resting at your sides. Your hands wrist and forearms are straight and parallel with the floor. Your head is level and facing forward.

When it comes to office chairs one sizes does not fit all. Adjustability is the key to comfort. Raise or lower the chair height so your feet are flat on the floor. If your chair does not go low enough then you should get a foot rest. Your feet should be slightly forward from the knees. You should sit with your hips as far back in the chair as possible. There should be a couple of inches gap between the chair and your knees. If the seat is too deep and you don’t have another chair you can use a lumbar wedge or pillow. There should also be a couple of inches between the outside of your thigh and the side of the seat. If you have a co-worker available ask them to adjust the seat back while you sit in it. This way you will know immediately when the fit feels right. Some chair offer adjustable lumbar support but if not a lumbar support or pillow will work just fine. The lumbar support should mimic the natural curve of your back for maximum comfort. If you use the arm rest your shoulders should be relaxed and not stooped over. If the arm rest get in your way, lower or remove them.

Using a computer keyboard is much like play a piano. Using the proper body posture helps prevent injuries and improves your technique. Your hands wrists and forearms should be level with your forearms. If you have a keyboard tray make sure it is at the right height so that your wrist are in a straight line with your arms. Your elbows should rest comfortably at your side around a 90 degree angle. Your keyboard tray should be level or slightly tilted down. This helps your wrist stay straight and in line with your forearm. A wireless keyboard offers the most flexibility. If the keyboard has legs do not use them. If your desk does not have a keyboard tray, adjust the height of your chair or desk height leaving your arms and wrist in a neutral position. Choosing a wireless mouse gives you the most flexibility. Choose a mouse that fits your hand comfortably and keeps your fingers relaxed and slightly curved. Place your mouse close and level with the keyboard. If your keyboard has a palm rest, know that is just that, a place to rest your palms and should not be used for support while you type or enter data.

Being stuck in your seat is not fun but it’s also not healthy for you. At work it’s a good idea to stand up and move every half hour. Take walking breaks or visit a co-worker instead of instant messaging. If your job involves lots of sitting or you’re uncomfortable sitting for 30 minutes or less, a sit/stand station might help. A well designed sit/stand station should accommodate many different users and should be easy to adjust. If possible, try a few models before you commit. Remember to change your position often. Standing in one spot and be just as uncomfortable and unhealthy as too much sitting.

To recap, avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time. Move around your office your get a desk that allows you to work in the standing and sitting position. Adjust your chair to achieve neutral body posture. Take short and frequent breaks to rest and re-energize. Adjust your keyboard to prevent injuries and improve your technique. Lastly, find a mouse that fits comfortably in your hand.