Ergonomic Design for the Office

Practicing Application of Ergonomics

Case Study: Ergonomic Design for the Office

Risk Factors Related to the Posture and Movement in an Office

            Among all the office equipment, the office chair is most used (Kroemer & Kroemer, 2001). With that, having ergonomically designed chairs for all computer workstations in an office is paramount. In the recent past, the use of computers in office workstations has tremendously risen. Owing to that fact, experts have done a thorough study on the office computer chair. The results were a number of characteristics that the office chair below is not conforming to.

1. Fatigue

Adjustability is the core of all characteristics of an ergonomically designed office chair. Clearly, the chair above lacks an adjustable seat pan, backrest or the seat height. This is extremely dangerous for the user sitting in the chair for 8 hours on end performing office tasks. A number of the user’s body parts are forced to withstand a lot of pressure for a very long time without getting rest, which would be possible if the chair had adjustable features. With such a chair, the user inevitably develops fatigue.

Solution: providing a chair with an adjustable seat pan, back rest and height.

• Spinal loading

The chair appears to have a relatively non-reclined backrest. If used for a prolonged period, it will harm the back.

Solution: Providing the user with a reclined chair position that fits their comfort.

• Reduced task performance

One of the reasons to invest in office ergonomics is to facilitate task performance. One way to achieve that is to fit chairs with casters that will allow the user to maneuver with ease around the office. 

Solution: Fitting the chair with quality casters for the particular surface in the office. With that, the user can easily pick equipment even on the furthest end of the workstation.

References

Kroemer, K. H., & Kroemer, A. D. (2001). Office ergonomics. London: Taylor & Francis.