Ergonomic Chairs and Desks in the Business Place - Ergonomics Information and Resources

Ergonomics is a branch of engineering science that studies ways to fit job equipment and work places to the worker. Companies, scientists and manufacturers use ergonomics to both increase the productivity of workers as well as protect their health and well being by preventing repetitive strain injuries. The study of ergonomics relies on a number of separate disciplines, including industrial engineering, mechanical engineering and biomechanics.

History credits psychologist Hywel Murrell with coining the term ergonomics in 1949, though scientists have traced the study of ergonomics as far back as the 5^th century BC. During this time, civilizations utilized ergonomic principles in the design and construction of their tools and workplaces. In more modern times, the 19^th century scientist Frederick Taylor conducted studies finding that reducing the size and weight of coal shovels could triple the amount of coal a worker could move. Today, ergonomics is most widely known for its use in office settings, most notably in the design of computers, desks and chairs.

Engineering psychology, macroergonomics and seating ergonomics are the three main fields of ergonomics. Engineering psychology focuses on making job related equipment more user-friendly, including redesigning equipment and changing job locations. Macroergonomics analyzes the entire work system, including consideration of personnel, technological and environmental variables as well as employee satisfaction, safety and health. Seating ergonomics works to relieve back pressure caused by long periods of sitting with the use of specially designed chairs.

Job fields such as product design, transportation, health care and aerospace successfully implement and use ergonomics in their operations. Doctors use ergonomically designed products to both prevent and treat certain medical disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic arthritis, and chronic pain issues. Product designers use ergonomics in the design of everyday items such as electronics, knives and simple things such as the height of a counter top. All of these applications make ergonomics one of the most vital scientific studies affecting people’s day to day life.

When applied to the work place, companies use ergonomics to ensure the long and short term safety of employees. The use of ergonomically sound chairs and keyboards in an office setting can save industries billions of dollars in worker’s compensation claims by reducing overextension injuries. Employers often look at equipment, task and environmental design changes when instigating ergonomic practices in their workplaces. Today, more and more companies are becoming more proactive in the use of ergonomics.

The design of ergonomic chairs focuses on where sitting transfers the weight of the body in a chair. Support of the bottom five vertebrate in the spine, known as the lumbar, is essential in chair design in order to reduce pressure on the discs and lower the risk of the development of chronic back pain. Manufacturers achieve this by making the angle between the seat and the back rest 120 degrees with the lower part of the backrest sticking out 5 cm. Armrests that are able to adjust in height also help in reducing back pressure by relocating some of the weight of the body from the seat and back rest.

Ergonomics: A comprehensive website providing information on the Alexander Technique of ergonomics.

National Institute of Health: A brief description of ergonomics as well as articles relating to specific health conditions related to ergonomics.

Center for Disease Control: Information regarding ergonomics and its effect on musculoskeletal disorders.

University of Michigan: A look at cognitive ergonomics and biomechanics from the University of Michigan research center.

Ohio State University: A .pdf file on ways to develop and manage an ergonomic process in the work place.

United States Army: A .pdf file containing over fifty tips for workers to make their environment more ergonomically sound.

United States Air Force: A look at ergonomic concerns for pregnant women in an office setting.

State of Oregon: Ergonomic consensus guidelines adopted by the state of Oregon providing details on the proper way to chose equipment and set up a workspace.

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