| Work has changed over the past century. Many days | | | | a person's body weight is brought down onto the seat |
| are spent sitting in a chair, at a desk, staring at a | | | | as well as the backrest, armrest, and floor. Redesigned |
| computer screen, inside of a cube. The whole scenario | | | | chairs to redistribute body weight will ease pain on the |
| is slightly depressing and the results of this set-up isn't | | | | back by taking pressure away from spinal discs. |
| so much better. Injuries from repeating the same | | | | Backwards inclines coupled with lumbar support can |
| muscle movements over and over are becoming | | | | alleviate some back problems as can kneeling chairs. |
| more common place. The office furniture we purchase | | | | While these chairs give off the appearance of putting |
| can help or hinder how we work. | | | | pressure exclusively on a person's knees that is not |
| Ergonomics became a buzz word in the nineties, but | | | | the case. The overall body angle is lowered, but |
| has been in existence since as far back as Ancient | | | | pressure is distributed evenly and taken on by the |
| Greece. Namesake of the hippocratic oath - | | | | chair. These chair can be purchased anywhere that |
| Hippocrates extolled the virtues of a properly | | | | office furniture be it on the internet or at actual retail |
| organized work place and instrument layout for use by | | | | outlets. |
| surgeons of the day. | | | | Keyboards can come in a number of iterations and |
| The fit of a worker to their job and equipment is the | | | | character spacing that takes away from the stress on |
| essential definition of ergonomics and is necessary to | | | | a person's wrist. Again, these types of keyboards can |
| prevent the repetitive injuries often seen in computer | | | | be purchased anywhere computer accessories are |
| workers over time, and which can lead to long-term | | | | sold. Computer monitors should be able to be lifted and |
| disability. | | | | moved so that the angle of contact with a worker's |
| Assessing the needs of a worker ergonomically | | | | eye causes the least amount of strain, especially when |
| means looking at the equipment (size, position, etc.) and | | | | coupled with a screen to diminish glare. |
| its interaction with the employee. Worker stress and | | | | Having a desk that can adjust height is also beneficial |
| health is a serious issue and the Occupational Health | | | | to a person's posture as well as helping decrease |
| and Safety Administration implements a four pronged | | | | back pain. If a worker is able to raise a desk so that |
| approach to ergonomics to prevent musculoskeletal | | | | they stand for a few hours a day, the benefits to their |
| disorders through guidelines, enforcement, a national | | | | health will be two fold. |
| advisory committee, and outreach/assistance. | | | | Office furniture isn't just something to look at, it should |
| A reactive or proactive approach is up to the business | | | | be functional and beneficial to your employees. |
| at hand. However, being reactive and only taking care | | | | Ergonomic design will increase a business's bottom line |
| of problems as they arise is what contributes to | | | | and promote the reduction of missed work days. |
| millions upon millions of dollars toward worker's | | | | Office furniture requires more thought that the furniture |
| compensation. A proactive approach stressing the | | | | we populate our homes with. Where a comfortable |
| prevention of problems isn't difficult and, in fact, can be | | | | and soft chair would be perfect in your living room, it |
| mostly accomplished through the purchasing of the | | | | wouldn't work in the confines of an office where |
| right office furniture. | | | | workers sit for hours a day. Doing your homework |
| Many people suffer from back problems and although | | | | and bringing functional elements into the workplace will |
| standing at work would help in easing back pressure, | | | | increase productivity. |
| that is not an option for many and as such the bulk of | | | | |
