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The RSI Association explains the issue of workplace ergonomics.

Ergonomics is about ensuring a good 'fit', between people, and the things they use. People vary enormously in height and weight, in physical strength, in ability to handle information, and in many other ways. Ergonomics uses information about human abilities, attributes, and limitations, to ensure that our equipment, work and workplaces allow for these variations.

For example, a car built only for 'average' sized drivers might require larger people to crouch, while smaller people might be unable to reach the pedals. Designers use information on variations in size, reach etc, to produce cars that most people can operate comfortably, and conveniently. It is recognised that there must be some element of compromise where extremes of, for instance, body size are involved.

Advantages

Designing tasks, equipment and workstations to suit the operator can reduce operator error, accidents and ill health. Failure to observe ergonomic principles can thus have serious repercussions, not only for individuals but also for the whole organisation. Effective use of ergonomics will make work safer, healthier and more productive.

Solving Problems

Some of the most obvious examples are to do with body size: for instance, work stations that are uncomfortable to sit at, because they don't allow enough clearance for users' legs. There is guidance available for designers and installers of equipment, to help them to avoid such problems (for example, British Standard 3044, Guide to ergonomic principles in the design and selection of office furniture).

Hand Tools

Many hand tools require a very wide grip. Such tools can impose severe strain, if used frequently, particularly for people with small hands. The handles to tools with a hand span, such as pliers, should be between 50 mm and 67 mm apart, for the user to exert the necessary force with maximum efficiency.

High hand forces should be avoided, where possible, and handles should be designed, so that they do not dig into the palm, but spread the load over the largest possible area. Ergonomically designed hand tools can reduce injuries, and increase productivity.

Control Panels

The layout of controls, and displays, can influence the safety of a system. Typical problems are:

Switches - that can be inadvertently knocked on

Control panel layouts - that are difficult to understand

Displays - that force the user to bend or stretch to read them properly

Emergency stop buttons - that are difficult to reach

Systematic analysis, of how people actually use equipment, can highlight problems that need to be designed out. This underlines the importance of manufacturers, designers and installers applying ergonomic principles.

How To Tell Whether Something Is Ergonomically Satisfactory

Consider all the ways and circumstances in which the equipment, or system, may be used, and then ask yourself:

Does it suit your body size?

Does it also suit all other users?

Can you see, and hear, all you need to, readily?

Do you understand all the information, that it presented?

Do errors occur frequently, and is it easy to recover from them?

Does the equipment or system cause discomfort, if you use it for any length of time?

Is it convenient to use?

Is it easy to learn to use?

Is it compatible with other systems in use?

Could any of these aspects be improved?

Do other users have similar reactions?

Such questions can help to identify possible mismatches between the abilities and physical attributes of people and the demands of the equipment with which they work. A systematic evaluation by trained staff may be needed to identify more obscure problems.

How Do I Know When Something Is Wrong?

If the job, the equipment, and the workplace, are not designed to fit the people working there, mistakes are more likely, and some of these could lead to accidents.

If you examine the circumstances surrounding incidents, and near misses, in your workplace, you may find inadequacies, such as people being:

Unable to see important displays

Unable to reach controls

Unable to work in a comfortable position

Overloaded with too much information at one time

Inattentive, because there is too little to do

The people who do a particular job are in a good position to identify especially awkward or difficult tasks, but remember that they may have become used to poor design over time.

Some jobs may be known to be excessively tiring, or liable to cause aches and pains. Makeshift adaptations to machines, for example lengthened levers; extra labels on switches, blocks of wood or cushions, used to alter working positions, can be an indication that the design of the equipment, or the job, needs attention. Similarly, medical and absence records may reveal patterns of injury, or complaint, that could be association with particular jobs or task.

What Can I Do If I Think There Is An Ergonomics Problem In My Workplace?

A minor alteration may be all that is necessary to make a task easier and safer to perform: for instance, height-adjustable chairs, to enable individual operators to work at their preferred work height; platforms to help operators to reach badly located controls (but beware of allowing access to danger points).

If shadows, or overall lighting levels, are a problem, local lighting for particular tasks may be an easily adopted solution. Always make sure that any alterations are properly evaluated by the people who do the job, and be careful that a change introduced to solve one problem does not cause difficulties elsewhere. Where a straightforward solution does not seem possible, and radical redesign seems to be called for, you should consult the appropriate experts.

For further information about the safest way of using your home PC - or computer at work, why not visit the Health and Saftey section of our sister site - Working Balance. More details of the HSC/E campaigns on this subject can also be found here. More details of the HSC/E campaigns on this subject can also be found here. The Ergonomics Society website may also be useful.

As of 2004 the RSI Association* no longer exists and is not contactable. The website link above is maintained as a resource only by the Keytools orgainsation - a business who supply equipment to enhance the human-computer interface, with particular reference to people whose livelihoods depend on being able to use a computer for long periods of time. In terms of managing RSI and MSDs, Keytools also produce regular newsletters on musculoskeletal issues amongst computer workers - particularly for professionals working in occupational health. More info is available here.

PSP Ltd is not responsible for the contents of external websites.

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