A Dual Approach To Ergonomics In The Office

By Author: Larry Tang
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Properly designed office furniture systems must pair with correct body mechanic practices to help avoid ergonomic disorders including repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and back injuries.

"There is no doubt that ergonomics is an important issue, and that ignoring it can lead to lower productivity, increased absenteeism and costly remediation," says Mark Bassil, vice president and co-founder of modular office furniture manufacturer MAiSPACE, headquartered in Mt. Olive, NJ. "While responsible companies take steps to provide employees with furniture systems that comply with ergonomic standards it is the responsibility of each employee to use these facilities in the proper way. At MAiSPACE we call this correct ergonomic behavior."

Workplace related injuries generally are traced to two causes, Bassil says. One results from normal activities and the other from unexpected events such as a fall. It is in the former instance where good workspace design and personal workspace practices can go a long way toward improving the well-being of employees and increasing the productivity of the ...
... business.

"Today's knowledge workers spend nearly all of their time in a seated position, whether at their own desk or in meetings," Bassil says. "The simple act of staying in the same position for an extended time or exhibiting poor posture by slouching in the chair strains the back, diminishes the ability to concentrate and over time can cause problems.

"OSHA stresses the importance of good posture by explaining the concept of neutral body positioning," Bassil says. "It is described as a comfortable working posture in which the joints are naturally aligned. Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system and reduces the risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder."

Ergonomically correct seating such as MAiCHAIR is the furnishings side of the solution while standing, stretching and moving about at regular intervals is the personal side.

MAiCHAIR seating meets or exceeds OSHA guidelines on office chair components. "Its passive ergonomics is achieved through an engineered plastic shell that molds to the shape of the individual user without the complicated adjustments that research shows are almost never used," Bassil explains. "It consists of one easy-to-operate Syncro-Tilt mechanism providing adjustable tension resistance, variations in pneumatic seat height and multi-position tilt-lock control to assure the comfort of all occupants."

A feature normally associated with more costly task seating is a backrest that easily allows the user to recline 20 degrees from the vertical while supporting the back in a variety of seated postures. Lumbar support is height adjustable and it is able to move forward and backward. The headrest adjusts 15 degrees to prevent static loading of the neck and shoulder muscles.

Complementing correct seating, height-adjustable desks within individual workstations contribute to worker well-being. MAISPACE workstations are designed to allow for maximum height variation and superior strength. "They are engineered in such a way that employees can operate their keyboards even when in a standing position." Bassil says. "Reconfiguration is accomplished quickly and easily without having to clear the desk or call for assistance. Employee comfort is further enhanced with MAiSPACE workstation work surfaces featuring a curvilinear design and cascaded edges to minimize contact stress."

The personal side of correct ergonomics calls for proper positioning of the work surface, the chair and workstation components. "Experts suggest that the chair should be adjusted so the work surface level matches the height of the elbow," Bassil says. "When employees are comfortable they should fix the positioning of the computer screen so that it is in the center of their vision and approximately 20 inches away."

Frequently used equipment and materials should be within easy reach without causing undue stretching and straining. MAiSPACE facilitates this through its off modular design that allows unprecedented flexibility in positioning shelves, bins and other storage devices. "Users can customize their workspaces for maximum comfort by determining the optimal placement of panel-hung components, adjustable at 1 inch increments and having flexible non-handed orientation for the workstation," Bassil says. "Paper management tiles keep current activities within comfortable reach but off the work surface itself, thereby minimizing clutter. Otherwise these materials can be filed in movable storage bins that can be easily rolled to a convenient location."

Properly positioned task lighting provides correct illumination without eyestrain. MAiSPACE clear, frosted or patterned glass panels contribute to vision comfort by allowing natural lighting into the workspace while supporting an appropriate degree of privacy.

Cost Factors

"MAiSPACE since it was established in 1993 has committed itself to helping companies provide ergonomically correct workspaces at a reasonable cost," Bassil points out. "Our across the board approach to design, manufacturing and supply chain management enables us to completely furnish offices starting at $12 to $15 per square foot, while offering a full warranty and guarantee against obsolescence. Our customers can build on this by promoting correct ergonomic behavior among employees. At the minimum, employees should be encouraged to stand, stretch and walk about at regular intervals. Facilities permitting, a better approach is a non-structured exercise program."
MAiSPACE.com will help business owners and operators make smart choices in Systems Furniture and Office Cubicles for their offices and selecting the right Office Furniture. A Dual Approach to Ergonomics in the Office.