According to the World Health Organization, ergonomics is defined as “the science of designing and arranging work and other things associated with it so that people can perform the same tasks in as little or as much pain as possible”. Ergonomics is actually an approach that is used in organizations such as manufacturing, medical, and construction. It was developed by humans who are experts in human anatomy and focused on human body movement in order to create environments that are both safe and comfortable for the workers who use them. These types of methods were later adopted by other industries such as electronics, transportation, and furniture. The idea is not just applied in the workplace but it is also applicable in the home, where family members spend long hours sitting in front of their computers and working postures that could lead to neck and back injuries.
The term ergonomics is actually derived from the Greek words ergonomics (meaning “of the nature relating to man”) and anthroponomos (meaning “of the body”). So ergonomics simply refers to the study of body structures and how they are arranged to enhance efficiency and human welfare. This was later extended to the working place, where people spend long periods of time performing a variety of tasks that involve bending, lifting, reaching and twisting. Thus, the need for proper ergonomics practices arises.
With regards to the workplace injuries caused by improper ergonomics practices, the results can be disastrous. After all, when workers spend most of their time in a highly uncomfortable position, they are more likely to develop a range of serious health problems. Such body imbalances can result in permanent pain, disability and even heart disease. But even before workers get hurt, they can suffer from the long-term consequences of poor posture, lack of proper arm support or poor footwear.
Even if you are not injured while using work equipment, poor ergonomics practices can create numerous health risks over the course of your working life. For example, because keyboards, mice and other devices are designed poorly, they can make it very difficult to type accurately or utilize computer software to its fullest extent. As a result, workers may spend much of their productive hours typing incorrectly, which can result in errors that will never be corrected until years have gone by.
Moreover, poor ergonomics practices can lead to body injuries from repetitive stress, which may lead to the development of chronic pain. Ergonomically designed chairs and workstations prevent this from happening. Moreover, the right chair will maximize worker alertness and performance. The body will not have to spend energy unnecessarily in any one activity. If it has to do so, it will perform that activity in its full capacity. This is especially important when heavy objects are at stake.
The importance of ergonomics extends beyond workplace injuries and the risk of permanent disability. Proper body positioning and the proper use of workstations can greatly reduce worker fatigue and improve overall job performance. In addition, proper body positioning allows for better neck and back health, which can help reduce workplace injuries and save workers’ lives. These are the most immediate benefits of ergonomics, but the long-term health benefits are almost always greater. In many work places people go for normal office chairs which is really bad for back. And i have to say that you must go for some of the best ergonomic office chairs because it will help you to support your back and also you will not face any back pain issues ever in the future.
