Office Ergonomics is about making your workspace properly fit your body. The idea is that working with correct posture and breaking up the amount of time your body spends in any single configuration will reduce the aches and pains associated with repetitive motion and improper alignment. Wow, that’s a mouthful, and it sounds complicated. But setting up an ergonomic workspace doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive (surprise).
First, let’s talk about what office ergonomics is.
Office Ergonomics
A lot of early ergonomics research was directed toward industrial professions. For example, the risks of musculoskeletal disorders for someone who operates a jackhammer may be high, that doesn’t negate the risk for office workers; however, risks to office workers wasn’t immediately recognized. In more recent years, experts have learned that ergonomic products are important in all types of workplaces.
Repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome can occur when workers are improperly positioned or uncomfortable while working. Musculoskeletal problems can occur in workers in all industries, from the assembly line to the office. And the latest research demonstrates that too much sitting can be detrimental to your overall health.
Of course, ergonomic office chairs are one way to help keep employees comfortable and safe in the office. Other ergonomic office products include standing desks, keyboard trays, and anti-fatigue mats. There are even ergonomic keyboards and mice that can help better position the wrists and arms for those who use computers all day long.
But it’s also important to take the arrangement of the workstation into consideration. To create an ergonomic workstation, the positioning of a computer monitor, mouse, and keyboard are considered. These should be placed at heights and distances that make them easy to use without having to bend, turn, stretch, or strain.
More and more companies are creating ergonomic products for the office, like electric adjustable desks and under-desk keyboard trays. These products can help you work more comfortably, which translates into working more safely. Improving your workstation’s ergonomics can help you improve your posture, which in turn helps reduce fatigue, stiffness, and soreness.
Whether you want to modernize your home office or your workplace, ergonomic products are the way to go—especially electric height adjustable computer workstations. These desks not only have the latest features, they’re ergonomically friendly and will blend perfectly with your modern design.
Why Ergonomics Matters
It’s easy to look at ergonomics as an expense rather than an investment. But think about it this way: many people choose a car for its safety features, believing those features are worth the cost of protecting themselves and their families. Businesses who purchase ergonomic products for their employees demonstrate their commitment to their health and well-being. More and more organizations are beginning to realize the importance of helping their people prevent injuries that can be more costly down the line, when weighed against the costs for sick time, short- or long-term disability, and insurance premiums.
One of the most important employee perks is workplace ergonomics, which fosters a safety and health culture as a core value. People recognize the value of walking into a safe workplace; with the knowledge that their employer wants to keep their team healthy, employees are likely to be happier at work. Reducing ergonomic problems leads to fewer sick days, fewer injuries, and can reduce long-term, cumulative issues that can shorten a worker’s career. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says office workers can help prevent back pain by standing at least once every hour to move around—at least stretch, if not walk around a little.
Product Design and Development
Designing products isn’t simple. To paraphrase Steve Jobs: being a good designer isn’t always about coming up with the awesomest design, it’s about rejecting the thousands of inferior ideas. Designing ergonomically friendly products is even more challenging.
To get an idea of the kinds of thinking that goes into designing ergonomic office products, first think about this example of ergonomics at home. Designers and architects use ergonomics in bathroom design, especially when it comes to bathrooms for the disabled or senior citizens. An ergonomic bathroom will have plenty of room to maneuver, and may have grab bars to assist with stability while standing or sitting. Knobs for faucets and bathtubs should be easy to turn, and drawers and cabinets should be easy to open and close. Even the flooring is considered in an ergonomic bathroom: to reduce the risk of falls, the floor should not be too slippery.
Similar considerations are taken into account when creating ergonomically friendly office products, such as standing desks and active chairs. Scientists have shared that most of us need more physical activity during the day, and companies like Uncaged Ergonomics accepted the challenge to help solve the problem.
We took the challenge a step further. Sure, you can spend $1,000+ (or less than $550 for Rise Up) on a luxurious electric desk to optimize the adjustability of your workspace. We design, develop, and discover useful products that create a happier and healthier work environment at price points even the smallest businesses can afford. Uncaged Ergonomics’ standing desks and standing desk conversions are high-quality items that are built to last. Our prices challenge the competition, placing ergonomic options within reach of people and organizations with any budget.