Unlike many other concepts that have come and gone, ergonomics is not just another buzzword. Some people may think that ergonomic design doesn’t matter or that the way they’ve done things in the past is perfectly fine.
The truth is that ergonomics should be a concern for anyone who performs any task that requires them to spend hours sitting or standing in the same position.
Research shows that working behind a desk for extended hours may contribute to adverse health effects like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and injuries in the rotator cuff of your shoulder, as well as muscle strains.
The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) now considers workplace ergonomics as part of their wider mandate to keep employees healthy. Companies that do not address concerns about ergonomically correct work practices may even receive a citation.
A company may receive a citation for poor ergonomics if:
Now that you know why you should still pay attention to ergonomics, let’s quickly refresh your memory about what ergonomics is, why it’s important, and how you can improve the ergonomics in your workplace.
The primary meaning of ergonomics is to design products, equipment, and other workplace tools for the people that use them. In some contexts, it requires designing the entire job around the worker’s physical needs.
Offices have employees who spend hours behind their desks. Your chair, monitor, laptop, mouse, and any other devices that you use regularly can lead to repetitive strains. Modern ergonomic design includes building products that reduce these effects and keep staff comfortable for longer. The aim is to increase efficiency and productivity while providing the necessary support for long-term health.
Besides the preventative nature of ergonomics, companies gain many additional benefits. First, healthier employees take fewer sick leave. They’ll also have better morale, reduced stress, and work more productively for longer.
Some organizations may think that certain barriers prevent them from implementing a comprehensive ergonomic program. Concerns about the cost, getting employee buy-in, and convincing management that it’s necessary may impede a company from improving its workplace ergonomics. Overcoming these barriers isn’t that hard, most ergonomic products do not cost a lot more than their counterparts while personalizing ergonomics for each employee’s workstation will get staff on board.
Ergonomic products need to conform to the individual’s body and build. Designers of ergonomic equipment use anthropometric data to find optimized forms that reduce strains and helps you maintain a healthier posture while performing work.
At Kensington, we developed SmartFit™, a simple method that simplifies the process of finding the right position for just about everything in an ergonomic desk setup. SmartFit™ products are intuitive, adjust effortlessly without tools, and take the guesswork out of the positioning process.
How Does SmartFit™ Work?
We used data-driven research to identify four major colour groups based on hand size to find the ideal ergonomic setting for our products.
By matching your hand to our SmartFit™ sizing chart, you’ll know what the right setting is for your build and height. It’s as simple as measuring your hand, adjusting your equipment, and enjoying the comfort it brings.
Finding a Specific Ergonomic Product from our Wellness Solutions
Sometimes, you need a specific ergonomic product (like a vertical mouse or trackball) to reduce the strain you get from your current device. Kensington’s wellness solutions are effective, efficient, and easy to use. You can even match multiple products or try something different like learning how to use a trackball.
Whatever you need, you’ll probably want to look for solutions in these categories:
Even with these solutions, you may still want to stretch from time to relieve pressure on your muscles.