Ergonomics is about making your workspace work for you. Whether it is the angle of your computer monitor or the height of your desk, ergonomics can not only improve performance and productivity, but also decrease the risk of frustration, fatigue and even injury. Ergonomics can make employees healthier, happier, and much more likely to stay.
A relatively new science, Ergonomics optimizes the design of workspaces, products, and systems for human use. It grew from the early 20th century translations of Polish scientist, Józefa Joteyko and developed further at the end of World War II to improve design safety, usability, and productivity.
Ergonomic design combines applied psychology and engineering. Ergonomists, or human factors specialists, gain unique insight by studying environmental factors, biomechanics, and anthropometric measurements to help further match organizational and human needs.
Why Are Ergonomics Important?
Workers can easily become frustrated and tired completing a task without proper ergonomics. Short-cuts may relieve workers from unnecessary strain they may encounter on the job, but when tasks aren’t completed properly, quality and even safety suffers.
Ergonomic design improves workers’ potential to produce quality work by helping them complete their tasks without strain. The tools they need to are designed to fit their needs, enabling them to work more efficiently, while still staying safe.
Ergonomics Prevents Injuries and Saves Money
Almost all workers have experienced some sort of back pain or eye strain from their day-to-day work activities. Injuries like these can be caused by poor lifting techniques, poor posture from non-ergonomic workstations, or harsh lighting. They are often overlooked or just accepted as a part of the job. But the repetitiveness of these pain-invoking activities can lead to more serious injuries, including chronic neck and shoulder pain, muscle sprains or tears, or even vision loss.
Designing a workspace ergonomically prevents work-related injuries and illnesses by taking into account how people naturally move. Ergonomics ensures workers have full range of motion to complete a task. Ergonomics will not only save employees from work-related accidents, but also save companies from spending millions of dollars in workers’ compensation.
Increases morale, engagement, and retention
Ergonomic workspaces help to foster a company culture of wellbeing. When a company cares for their employees’ health and safety, it can decrease absenteeism and reduce turnover.
Employees spend a huge amount of time at work, so it counts to be comfortable. And those who feel comfortable at work are more likely to get involved and spread positivity in and outside the office.
