The Importance of Ergonomics

It involves designing equipment, tools, and workspaces that are safe, efficient, and comfortable for people to use. Ergonomic principles aim to minimise the risk of injury, increase productivity, and improve overall well-being. https://remotemode.net/blog/10-remote-work-ergonomics-tips-to-use/ Keep a watchful eye on your posture when you work at a standing desk. If you’re feeling pain, stop and examine how you’re positioned and adjust it. The last thing you want is to not be able to sit or stand while you work.

Indeed, Worksite International’s Home and Office Ergonomics Guide points out some good tips for setting up your workstation and changing your work behaviors.. While the effects of bad posture and poor ergonomics are not immediately apparent, it will eventually become a bothersome health issue that they’ll have to deal with in the future. Adjust your chair to have your feet on the floor, thighs horizontal, arms even with the height of the desk and good lumbar support. Use a foot rest as needed, and arm rests should be adjustable to allow shoulders to relax.

Ergonomics Dos and Don’ts for Those Now Working from Home

Properly sitting means that your feet should be supported by the floor, or at a footrest if the desk height can’t be adjusted. Your legs should be at a 90-degree angle so you can relieve the pressure out of your back, also having excellent lumbar support that is adjustable to keep your back straight. If you are setting up your home office in a bedroom, use a table or desk near outlets with an adjustable office chair for good postural support. While it may be tempting to work while sitting up in bed, you should avoid doing this. It may place your back and neck in a forward-bent position, leading to excessive stress and strain.

When you are setting your home office, you can easily adjust, so you don’t need to have a bright light shining directly to you, or onto the monitor and limit the view. By using both natural and artificial light, you are reducing the risk of eye strain and headaches. Your desk should be suitable to have all the stuff you are continually using, as well as to have proper distance from the monitor to your eyes. The top of the monitor should be positioned so it will be just above your eye level, i.e. your vision cone (your eyes should be directed slightly downward) so it won’t cause neck and eye strain. Implementing ergonomics is essential because while working from home, your body can be stressed by staying in an uncomfortable position for a long time, or doing repetitive movements.

– Get the Right Height

This lumbar support is not designed to take all your weight, just to act as a reminder to sit in an upright, S-shaped position. It’s important that the chair facilitates good posture – many chairs that aren’t ergonomically designed go out at too far an angle, Davis explains. He recommends asking someone in the house to take a photo of you sitting, so you can check whether your torso and head are in a straight line. Careful planning, https://remotemode.net/ for instance, getting up earlier to get through tasks before the rest of the household stirs, can reduce the likelihood of injury and improve productivity Oakman suggests. “Back pain is caused by work-related stress as well as work-related physical factors,” she explains. It you have continued aches and pains that don’t improve after using these guidelines to alter your workspace, Lifespan occupational therapists are here to help.

• If your injury or pain keeps you from functioning and enjoying everyday life at work, home or during leisure activities, ask your doctor if rehab services may be right for you.
• Now that commuting has been nonexistent for so many people, natural daily movements are minimized.
• As you type, your wrists should remain straight, and your upper arms should stay close to your body, without you forcing it.
• It’s also critical to keep all power cords as well as computer and networking cables up and away from the floor, which is why we offer built-in power-systems across our office furniture lines.