“Work” your way-to Health !!

Research has shown that working persons spend more than a third of their life sitting at work. 

Sitting for longer durations has its own health impacts on the human body and the conditions can worsen and even be life threatening if not addressed on time.

Ergonomics is study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.

Office ergonomics, specifically, is about ensuring that   the  furniture, equipment and working conditions are designed to enable office workers to carry out their jobs in comfort and with effectiveness.

Ever since the pandemic set in, office furnitures are no longer restricted to the offices. With the Work from Home becoming a common operating model, the future of work predictably would be a Hybrid model that will leverage best of both.

Whatever maybe the work setting of the future, it is imperative that office ergonomics would  play a key role in purchase of office furniture and equipments.

Research also shows that employees / workers are 17% more productive when they work in ergonomically designed work environments.

Did you know ?

In the 1800s Charles Darwin – naturalist and biologist, added wheels to his laboratory chair so that he could move about easily for better access to the items in his laboratory.

Although we don’t use office chairs to move about, but the fact is that chairs on wheels has become a reality due the “comfort” factor.

The 3 key components of an ergonomic office furniture are :

CHAIR

The Chair is the most important part of office ergonomics.  The characteristic of a well designed ergonomic chair is providing for :

• good support for spine and lower back
• adjustable height so that feet can rest comfortably on floor
• arm rests for elbow support
• Head rest
• Swivel feature on the wheels
• Comfortable seat cushion

DESK

The next important part of an office furniture is the desk or work table or work station.

There are two types of desks – Sitting and the Sit-Stand desks . Standing desks have been found to be more ergonomically effective as it allows for stretching the limbs while one can continue to work.

The characteristic of a well designed desk is :

• provide for enough room for legs, knees and feet
• come with optimal desk height that  makes it easy for operating keyboard and mouse
• be wide enough to allow for movement of the hands , elbows and arms
• Sit-Stand desks should allow for changing of posture easily

STORAGE

Storage spaces have become more compact these days. They are being typically used for holding books, documents, stationery, computer accessories and servers.

Even though a lot of documents have gone digital, storage needs will never go away as there a lot of people who still believe in reading books, processing paper documents and holding an array of work inventories.

Office furnitures have garnered lot of attention in the recent times and there is great demand for it both at offices and homes.

While work is a means to follow our passions and earn a livelihood, should we not “Work”our way..to Health