Ergonomics Health Safety
The Importance of Ergonomics for health and Safety in the Workplace

The importance of ergonomics health and safety is often overlooked, in the home, in the car AND especially in the workplace.

Thankfully, there is an increasing emphasis of Ergonomics in the workplace and Workplace Safety. (Do a quick self-check here: If your company is not yet into Ergonomics, point them to this site!)

It's a serious issue for both companies and for the lay person. While companies spend part of their profits in rectifying high turnover, health compensation claims, the lay workers pays either for his own medical bills or pays through other ways of aging before their time, perpetual backaches, neckaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and the loss of good eyesight most of which can't be reversed.

Many times, these computer injuries have no sign and when you find pain, it might be too late.

If you are a company, boss, manager or supervisor, you may ask for ergonomic consultants to conduct a Ergonomics Health Safety Seminar at your company. Alternatively, you can seek Ergonomics training and take it back to your employees with your newfound knowledge.

So, let's get to the basics of Ergonomics and Healthy Computing

Setting Up an Ergonomic Work Station

Ergonomics and Healthy Computing: You can make it as comfortable and casual as you want, there are just few things you need to keep in mind when purchasing the furniture. When sitting at your desk in a chair, your knees should be bent with your feet comfortably sitting flat on the floor.

It's true when they say "A picture is worth a thousand words". See the ideal posture at a computer and Ergonomic Pictures for more helpful hints.

You should be able to use your keyboard or writing utensils without having to stretch to do so, and your computer monitor should be positioned directly in front of your face at eye level, no more than two feet away but no less than about a foot in front of you.

Any tools you might use while sitting at the desk should be easily reachable, as the more you have to bend, twist and move your body to complete every day tasks, the greater risk you are of getting injuries. You can consider using a medicine ball to sit at your desk while working, as this helps to ensure you use correct posture when sitting down.

Ergonomics Health Tips: See How To Choose An Ergonomic Chair Also see the Importance of Getting the Right Desk Height.

When in doubt or when you start to feel pain after sitting at your desk for a long time, chances are that you don't have the proper ergonomic set up. You are also advised to seek professional medical help.

Ergonomics Resources

Reading Ergonomics References

It is important that you know where to look when you have specific questions about particular ergonomic issues, so here are some useful ergonomic references.

1. www.osha.gov

2. Wikipedia Ergonomics Section

3. Cornell University Ergonomics

Where to Purchase Ergonomic Furniture?

Where to purchase ergonomic furniture?

1. Amazon.com for Ergonomic

2. workstation furniture, chair, mouse, desk, lamp etc

3. Ergopro

Go back to Define Ergonomics.

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