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Personal preferences in ergonomics
ERGONOMICS is a broad term that covers different fields of human activities, work implements and conditions. As per the US Ergonomics Society, “Ergonomics is the application of scientific information concerning humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for human use.”
As per Cornell University Ergonomics Web, “Ergonomics is the study of human abilities and characteristics which affect the design of equipment, systems, and jobs. The terms ergonomics and human factors can be used interchangeably.”
Human factors like work comfort or satisfaction were first thought about during manufacturing boom after the Second Word War. In 1949, “British Professor Hugh Murrell coined the term ergonomics by combining two Greek words ergon meaning work and nomos meaning natural law.”
Earlier, in 1913, the pioneer Henry Ford who was an engineer by profession and one of the earlier management scholars might have had human comforts in his mind besides productivity when he in his Ford Motor Company gave the concept of assembly line — suitable layout of machines, working gears, and humans for an uninterrupted flow of items in production processes.
In today’s digital age, automation is increasing and ergonomics has wide employment in everyday life. More so in works performed by individuals using computers. Working with computers is a sedentary activity involving hands, eyes, ears, body and mind. Users do things while sitting on a chair in front of the monitor desk. Prolonged work sessions over a period of time may result into different physical problems for the users.
Accessories that are integral part of computers designed in consonance with the human potentials can alleviate some of the physical problems. Similarly the work settings that cater for the human limitations are also helpful.
Sadly, only little attention is paid to these aspects by individual users. Although many grumble about aches, numbness, fatigue or pains in different parts of the body but they usually choose to ignore and do not link with those persistent physical problems to interface between their bodies and the computers or their work conditions.
Architects of computers are continuously researching and trying to converge anatomy, physiology, psychology elements while crafting computer related accessories to make them more and more human cantered so that they are easier to use and cause least amount of physical stress.
Cordless keyboards, split or adjustable, appropriately placed in trays — and cordless, touch-sensitive mouse in different sizes to fit each hand, even joystick-shaped, are already being used in the high-tech developed world. They allow easy and comfortable functioning for longer durations users’ hands remain in neutral positions and least amount of shifting from keyboard to mouse and back takes place. I think, someday soon keyboard and mouse in one piece will be used by common user everywhere.
But the accessories that are commonplace and accepted here in our part of the world are very basic with only a limited choice due to affordability of users or availability in the local market. In this situation, users can (and should) pay particular attention to setting up an ergonomic computer workplace?
Setting up an ergonomic bastion is not a technological issue but a matter of preference. An experts says, “A monitor positioned even slightly off centre will pull the entire body out of proper ergonomic alignment as the user’s head and neck twist to view the screen.”
The advantages of designing ergonomic computer work environments (proper placing, suitable chair, work desk and lights) go beyond comfort in the longer run and the computer experience can be turned into a sustainable pleasure.
Buying the first computer still is a big deal with majority here. What happens when computer comes in any home is this: Only a few buy table and chair along with computer where as the rest set it up on a table that may be available in any corner at home, a normal chair is pulled and work starts. I have seen people operating computers placed on dining tables (not to mention those who dine and drink on computer tables). Children of younger ages who cannot fit into chairs are seen gaming putting additional cushions on the seats to raise the height, sitting on the chairs’ arms or even standing in front of computer desks sometime. There are examples where users work on computers in bed rooms at night with room lights switched off so that any body else sleeping in the room is not disturbed.
Conditions in cyber cafes are even worst. Leaving aside some high end exceptions, hard top stools or chairs without armrests and proper back support are squeezed into ill lighted net cafes where users sit for long hours in noisy cubicles. Unless proper precautions are taken, every computer user is susceptible to health related problems depending upon the amount of time spent in unhealthy and uncomfortable work locations but children, who being more energetic and sit for longer durations, are at a greater risk.
Left-handers and those with some physically impairments tugging and tangling with cords while working are also vulnerable. So what should be done to avoid discomfort and to practice healthy computing in given conditions and on hand resources?
Best thing after buying a computer is to invest in is comfortable chair, work desk of appropriate height and establishment of a well lit place that meets the personal needs.
The chair is an important “work tool.” It must conform to the overall needs of individual users.
“Humans are not anatomically designed to sit in chairs for long periods of time” but they do while working with computers. The chair should be adjustable particularly when it is to be used by different users, supporting lower back, thighs, elbows and the bulk of the body with feet firmly placed on ground. Likewise, the desk should be of proper height on which monitor can rest at an appropriate distance and angle avoiding glare. Locally made furniture items available in the market are good in quality but individual users should try them carefully before purchasing.
Anything that feels all right and comfortable during little trial may not feel all right at the end of the day long grinding work session.
The lighting arrangements also should be suitable because poor illumination, weak resolution, glare of monitor or inappropriate shine form the light outside can result into visual discomfort, eyestrains and headaches.
All this does not necessarily need extra spending. Sometimes small adjustments can yield results. But if it has to, any deal to avoid health hazards is not a bad bargain.
Those who work with laptops know that the features and capabilities of laptops are different than desktop computers. Working any where particularly when (and if) Wi-Fi support becomes available in our country, is a very powerful advantages but ergonomically speaking laptop cannot match desktops as far as the working comforts is concerned, at least not yet.
Choosing computer accessories and furniture items is a matter of personal preference — what feels comfy to user is good.
Later aches, pains, sufferings, computer vision syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders or, worst still, permanent injuries and hidden costs associated with them can be prevented by applying common ergonomic principles and catering to own physical requirements before using computers for longer sessions. And now my own spinal disks are feeling compressed and aching? Maybe I too need to carry out ergonomic assessment and get a new chair I have been putting off for long. But this perhaps has to wait until I shift in a new home, and may be some more until(s).
The writer
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