Last updated on Jun 29, 2024

How do you use ergonomics in your workplace design?

Ergonomics is the science of designing and arranging workspaces, equipment, and tasks to fit the physical and mental abilities, needs, and preferences of workers. Ergonomics can help you create a more comfortable, productive, and safe workplace design that supports your well-being and performance. In this article, you will learn how to use ergonomics in your workplace design by following some basic principles and tips.

Key takeaways from this article

Height Adjustable Tables:

Integrate height adjustable tables into your workspace. These innovative desks encourage movement, allowing you to switch between sitting and standing, promoting physical health and collaborative interactions.
Intuitive chair design:

Opt for chairs with automatic adjustments. These chairs adapt to various body types, providing personalized support that encourages proper posture and comfort throughout the day.

This summary is powered by AI and these experts

1 Assess your needs

Before you start designing your workplace, you need to assess your needs and goals. What kind of work do you do? How often do you use a computer, phone, or other devices? How long do you sit or stand? What are the common sources of discomfort, fatigue, or injury in your work environment? How can you improve your posture, movement, and lighting? By answering these questions, you can identify the areas that need ergonomic improvement and prioritize them accordingly.

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Aaron Molloy

Turning strangers into ergonomic office super heroes | Designing innovative ergonomic solutions for workplace comfort and productivity at Humanscale
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If you frequently experience discomfort or pain while performing certain tasks or using specific tools or equipment, or if you want to improve your overall comfort and efficiency in your work or daily activities, then ergonomics may be for you. Additionally, if you are interested in designing or modifying your workspace or environment to maximize comfort and reduce the risk of injuries or strain, ergonomics could help you with your daily work routine!

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2 Choose the right furniture

One of the most important aspects of ergonomic workplace design is choosing the right furniture that fits your body and your work style. You should look for furniture that is adjustable, supportive, and comfortable. For example, you should use a chair that has a backrest, armrests, and a seat that can be raised or lowered to match your height and the height of your desk. You should also use a desk that has enough space for your keyboard, mouse, monitor, and other items, and that can be tilted or moved to avoid glare and strain. If possible, you should also consider using a sit-stand desk that allows you to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day.

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Aaron Molloy

Turning strangers into ergonomic office super heroes | Designing innovative ergonomic solutions for workplace comfort and productivity at Humanscale
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Look for furniture made from high-quality materials that provide durability and comfort. The seat should have sufficient padding and breathable fabric to prevent discomfort and improve air circulation. Why I chose to apply and help Humanscale. CEO to every employee is about quality materials.

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Marco Raum

HSE-Expert / Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit (Sifa) bei Freistaat Bayern
(edited)
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Um den Wechsel zwischen sitzen und stehen so einfach wie möglich zu gestalten, haben sich vielfach elektrisch stufenlos höhenverstellbare Schreibtische oder Tischelemente, mit Memoryfunktion und Kollisionsschutz bewährt. Drehstühle sind zudem ausreichend standsicher, wenn diese mit einem Fußkreuz mit 5 Rollen ausgestattet sind.

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3 Adjust your equipment

Another key element of ergonomic workplace design is adjusting your equipment to suit your needs and preferences. You should position your equipment in a way that minimizes awkward postures, movements, and distances. For example, you should place your monitor at an arm's length away from you, and at eye level or slightly below. You should also place your keyboard and mouse close to each other and to your body, and use a wrist rest or a mouse pad to prevent wrist bending. You should also use a headset or a speakerphone instead of holding your phone between your ear and shoulder.

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Aaron Molloy

Turning strangers into ergonomic office super heroes | Designing innovative ergonomic solutions for workplace comfort and productivity at Humanscale
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Why I love our chair designs. Humanscale chairs are designed to provide ergonomic support and address the natural movements of the body. They feature intuitive functions that automatically adjust to accommodate different body types and sizes, allowing individuals to maintain a comfortable and healthy posture without the need for manual adjustments. This design approach ensures that users can find a personalized fit easily and experience optimal support throughout their day, promoting better comfort and productivity.

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4 Optimize your environment

Your environment can also affect your ergonomics and your workplace design. You should optimize your environment to reduce noise, distractions, and stress, and to enhance comfort, concentration, and mood. For example, you should use natural or artificial lighting that is bright enough but not too harsh or dim. You should also control the temperature, humidity, and ventilation of your workspace to avoid overheating or freezing. You should also add some plants, pictures, or other personal touches to your workspace to make it more pleasant and inviting.

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5 Vary your activities

No matter how ergonomic your workplace design is, you still need to vary your activities and take breaks throughout the day. You should avoid staying in the same position or doing the same task for too long, as this can cause stiffness, soreness, and fatigue. You should change your posture, move your muscles, and stretch your joints every 20 to 30 minutes. You should also take micro-breaks of 5 to 10 minutes every hour or so, and use them to relax, hydrate, or do something different. You should also schedule longer breaks of 15 to 30 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, and use them to eat, socialize, or exercise.

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Taher Babooji

Partner at WoodWare Solutions;20 years in business,ISO 9001-2015 certified. One Stop Shop for Office Interior Products
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Sitting continuously for a long time is detrimental to physical health, so standing up or walking around is highly recommended. We usually recommend our clients to use Height Adjustable Tables as not only are they ideal for a collaborative discussion with your team members but also aid u in moving out of ur seat.

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6 Seek feedback and improvement

The last step of using ergonomics in your workplace design is to seek feedback and improvement. You should monitor your comfort, productivity, and health, and see if your ergonomic interventions are working for you. You should also ask for feedback from your colleagues, managers, or ergonomic experts, and see if they have any suggestions or recommendations for your workplace design. You should also keep up with the latest research and trends in ergonomics, and see if there are any new tools, techniques, or practices that you can adopt or try. By doing so, you can continuously improve your workplace design and your ergonomics.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you use ergonomics in your workplace design?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your needs

2 Choose the right furniture

3 Adjust your equipment

4 Optimize your environment

5 Vary your activities

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Workplace Design

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How do you use ergonomics in your workplace design?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your needs

2 Choose the right furniture

3 Adjust your equipment

4 Optimize your environment

5 Vary your activities

6 Seek feedback and improvement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Workplace Design

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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