Ergonomics
Similar to anthropometrics, ergonomics also uses human measurements to design spaces. The only difference with ergonomics is that its main purpose is to create a workspace using knowledge on human abilities/limitations to improve a persons interactions with that space. This can vary from the design set up of work desks to where the location of a hairdryer's handholds are placed. Dohrmann Consultings article on ergonomics states that the economic cost of work related injuries and illnesses is estimated to be $60 billion dollars.
So how does ergonomics work? Ergonomics is fully based off anthropometric data, biomechanics of the human body, environmental physics, applied psychology, and social psychology in order to successfully apply all aspects that could impact an individual in order to design toward the end user. Ergonomics aims to create a safe, comfortable and productive workspaces by bringing human abilities and limitations into the design of a workspace by including the individual’s body size, strength, skill, speed, sensory abilities, and even attitudes.
As injuries within the workplace have become more prevalent due to poor use of ergonomics within the design process, new and innovative designs of furniture, appliances, and technology are being created to reduce this risk. Some up and coming examples could include keyboard-integrated chairs for the workplace, ergonomically designed cameras to reduce wrist and hand stress for photographers, or even designs like the selfie stick that helped reduce awkward postures induced from selfie taking.
The principles behind ergonomics are relatively simple. In order to reduce unnecessary bodily stress and injury, ergonomics goal is to have users maintain neutral postures while working in their power/comfort zones, allow for movement and stretching, provide adequate lighting, and reduce excessive force, motions, contact stress, and excessive vibration. These are all things that during a short period of time may go unnoticed, but over long periods of time can become increasingly harmful to your body.
It's important to take care of your body in more ways than just eating and exercise! Ergonomic design is something every workplace should seriously keep in mind for the overall well being an health of their employees. Again, the economic cost of work relate injuries and illnesses reaches 60 billion dollars! By designing a workplace for the employees, it is not only beneficial for the health of the workers, but due to fewer injuries ultimately keeps more money in the companies pockets!
So how does ergonomics work? Ergonomics is fully based off anthropometric data, biomechanics of the human body, environmental physics, applied psychology, and social psychology in order to successfully apply all aspects that could impact an individual in order to design toward the end user. Ergonomics aims to create a safe, comfortable and productive workspaces by bringing human abilities and limitations into the design of a workspace by including the individual’s body size, strength, skill, speed, sensory abilities, and even attitudes.
As injuries within the workplace have become more prevalent due to poor use of ergonomics within the design process, new and innovative designs of furniture, appliances, and technology are being created to reduce this risk. Some up and coming examples could include keyboard-integrated chairs for the workplace, ergonomically designed cameras to reduce wrist and hand stress for photographers, or even designs like the selfie stick that helped reduce awkward postures induced from selfie taking.
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| The selfie stick was designed to not only help users take better selfies, but to be more comfortable while doing it. This is a good ergonomic design to help reduce unnecessary bodily stress from excessive selfie taking on vacation. Image retrieved from newyorkpost.com |
The principles behind ergonomics are relatively simple. In order to reduce unnecessary bodily stress and injury, ergonomics goal is to have users maintain neutral postures while working in their power/comfort zones, allow for movement and stretching, provide adequate lighting, and reduce excessive force, motions, contact stress, and excessive vibration. These are all things that during a short period of time may go unnoticed, but over long periods of time can become increasingly harmful to your body.
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| The ergonomic design of the bike helps allows for optimal power transmission and if fit correctly to the individual user, provides comfort. In this picture, I am able to use my bike comfortably within my power/comfort zone Photo taken off my iphone by my brother at NCAA women's triathlon championships, Tempe AZ |
It's important to take care of your body in more ways than just eating and exercise! Ergonomic design is something every workplace should seriously keep in mind for the overall well being an health of their employees. Again, the economic cost of work relate injuries and illnesses reaches 60 billion dollars! By designing a workplace for the employees, it is not only beneficial for the health of the workers, but due to fewer injuries ultimately keeps more money in the companies pockets!
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| Choose ergonomic design!!! Source: ergonomics.com |
I like the uniqueness of your examples and how you didn't just focus on something we typically think of when we hear "ergonomics." You made a strong point discussing how costly work-related injuries are and that it can be decreased by ergonomic design. I feel like companies actually pay attention to the cost benefits tied to economic design. Great job with your explanations and discussion!
ReplyDeleteI like that you talked about the cost of work injuries because that's an important issue! I feel like most people don't realize how much it really costs and how easily it could be prevented. I also like that you included examples like the selfie stick, because ergonomics also applies to our daily lives outside of the workplace.
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