What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is defined as "The applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort."

So what does that mean to the average office worker? Basically, it means the use products and techniques to make our office environments more comfortable and protect us from repetitive movement injuries associated with modern desk work.

Scientists called "Ergonomists" make it their life to develop comfortable, safe objects for us to use at work and at home. Ergonomics, as a formal discipline and recognized science is relatively new but its roots are deeply rooted in ancient times.

Ancient History

The ancient Greek's obsession with the form and interworkings of the human body fostered an appreciation of how the human body can, and should, interact with objects around it. There is evidence of this in early tools and is eluded to in the medical texts of Hippocrates.

The word ‘ergonomics' was first coined in 1857 by Wojciech Jastrzebowski and literally means ‘the natural laws of work.' The connection between repetitive injuries and occupational work, however, was documented over a century before that by Ramazinni in his 1713 publication, "Diseases of Workers."

Ergonomics found an increasing role in our culture as the Industrial Revolution ushered in ideas of how to increase worker production by studying the work being done. As a result of these methods, called Scientific Management at the time, improvements were made by observing a job being performed and the tools used to perform it, a certain ‘fit' could be made that would optimize worker productivity.

Wartime Innovation

The development of increasingly complicated machinery in World War I and II, such as aircraft and tanks, required serious thought into the way humans would work with machines and tools. Valuable equipment and human lives could be compromised as a result of bad engineering and design.

Post World War II, the concept of ergonomics began to include worker safety and health by addressing muscle force required to perform tasks, forces on the back during lifting, cardiovascular activity while performing heavy labor, and maximum weights that can be safely carried, pushed, or pulled. This line of thought continued to grow and develop as technology brought us into the space age and ultimately, modern times.

Human-Computer Interaction

With the coming of the Information Age, a field of study called human-computer interaction (HCI) has appeared and just like the concepts before it, attempts to find a perfect ‘fit' between man and machine.

HCI has had a huge role in the workplace as our society has shifted from manual labor to office work. In an effort to cut down on expensive worker's compensation claims and provide employees with a desirable and productive work environment, many organizations now have individuals or teams that are responsible for ensuring an ergonomic workplace.

Better Results Through Better Design

Thanks to this demand, ergonomic office products are becoming the norm and products that improve our daily lives through better design are greatly valued. You can be sure that the future holds many technological and design marvels that will make our offices and homes safer and more comfortable.