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Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of designing a person's environment so that it facilitates the highest level of
function. A person's work environment should fit his or her capabilities as a worker.

Good ergonomics prevent injury and promote health, safety, and comfort for employees.

The use of ergonomics principles can increase worker productivity and quality. Employers can implement
a program that includes guidelines for employees to follow, contributes to an efficient work environment,
prevents injuries and the development of chronic medical conditions, and helps employees return to work
after an injury has occurred.

Occupational therapy practitioners are trained in the structure and function of the human body and the
effects of illness and injury. They also can determine how the components of the workplace can facilitate
a healthy and efficient environment or one that could cause injury or illness. An occupational therapist can
help employers identify hazards that may contribute to on-the-job injury, and determine how it can be
eliminated.

What can an occupational therapist do?

* Identify and eliminate accident and injury risk factors in the workplace, such as actions associated
with repetition, force, fixed or awkward postures, poorly designed tool handles, heavy loads, distance,
vibration, noise, extreme temperatures, poor lighting, and psychosocial and other occupational stresses.
* Analyze job functions and job descriptions based on job tasks.
* Design pre-hire screenings to determine a candidate's suitability to a particular job.
* Modify tools and equipment so that they do not enable injury or illness.
* Provide education and training on injury prevention, workplace health and safety regulations, and
managing job-related stress.
* Determine reasonable accommodations and worksite accessibility that is in compliance with the
Americans With Disabilities Act.
* Recommend changes employers can take to minimize injury and accident risk factors.

What can a person do to employ good ergonomics in the workplace?

* Take a proactive approach to preventing injury in the workplace.

* Follow guidelines set forth by employers that may prevent injury and illness.
* Report hazards or poor work conditions or employee behavior that may contribute to illness or injury
in the workplace.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18767522

A comparison of four office chairs using biomechanical measures.

Bush TR, Hubbard RP.

Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, Michigan State

University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. reidtama@msu.edu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to use biomechanical measures, including motion and pressure, to
compare four office chairs.
BACKGROUND: The fit of a person to a chair is related to the geometric and kinematic compatibility
between the two. This geometric compatibility influences the motions that are allowed or prohibited and
the support pressures at the body-chair interface. Thus, during evaluation, it is necessary to treat the
chair and user as a system.

METHOD: Four dynamic test conditions were evaluated with 14 participants of varying anthropometries.
Test conditions were selected to compare the ability to accommodate primary and secondary motions
(recline and spinal articulation) of seated occupants. The ability of a chair to allow recline, yet maintain
head and hand positions, was compared across chairs. Also, the ability of each chair to allow and support
spinal articulation was evaluated. Motion data for the chair, head, thorax, pelvis, and extremities were
collected along with chair back pressures. Upon completion of testing, subjective assessments were also
conducted.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between chairs relative to head and hand
motions. Also, significant differences were noted for the chairs' ability to move with the body during spinal
articulation and the ability to provide support. Subjective assessments also yielded differences.

CONCLUSIONS: Biomechanical analyses using motions and pressures can be conducted on office
chairs with significant differences detected in their performance.

APPLICATION: Biomechanical assessments can be used to compare and contrast office chairs in terms
that are relatable to fatigue reduction as well as operator performance.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics

2010;16(3):369-74. Mueller GF, Hassenzahl M.

Mueller GF, Hassenzahl M. Sitting comfort of ergonomic office

chairs--developed versus intuitive evaluation. Int J Occup Saf Ergon.
2010;16(3):369-74

Sitting comfort of ergonomic office chairs--developed versus intuitive evaluation.

Abstract

The sitting comfort of office chairs with different ergonomic layouts (inferior, superior) was examined. Fifty
participants were randomly assigned to a 2×5 factorial experimental design with 2 different conditions of
ergonomic chair layout (inferior or superior) and 5 different conditions of instruction to explore the chair.
Four conditions were created to differentiate between various levels of perceptual awareness and
processing of chair-related information (guided exploration and developed evaluation). In a 5th condition,
participants remained uninstructed (free exploration and intuitive exploration). Under guided exploration,
the participants' perception of sitting comfort was in line with objective differences in the chair layout.
Different conditions of guided exploration, however, did not influence the evaluations. Under free
exploration, the participants' perceptions did not match the ergonomic chair layout. In contrast to
participants under guided exploration, they even rated the ergonomically inferior office chair more
favourably than the ergonomically superior chair.