FAQ Office Ergonomics

Office Ergonomics is the study of the kind of work you do, the environment you work in and the types of tools you use to complete your job. It focuses on how we position our bodies and interact with the environment we work in. In terms of an office setting, ergonomics means finding a way for you to be most comfortable while using office equipment like computers or telephones or completing tasks such as typing or copying. The goal of office ergonomics is to set up your office workspace in a way that works best for you and the job you are doing.

Ergonomics are important for many reasons, the main reason being that it helps to reduce strain on your back, neck and shoulders which can lead to serious pain or injury over time. Ergonomic furniture also significantly reduces the risk of musculoskeletal diseases within your employees. Ergonomics are also proven to boost productivity and make employees more efficient in their work. It also helps to boost employee engagement as ergonomics make workers less tired or irritable, therefore their mood improves, increasing their levels of engagement in their work.

Some common ergonomic injuries associated with office work include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, neck and back pain, and eye strain. These injuries can be caused by repetitive motions, poor posture, awkward positioning, and extended periods of sitting.

There is a wide variety of ergonomic furniture you could invest in, each of which caters to solving different issues that can be encountered while working in an office. Standing desks, kneeling chairs, movement chairsand computer monitor armsare the most popular options available. Standing desks give your employees an alternative way to work and move them from their sitting position, allowing them to stretch and exercise by switching their position from sitting to standing for a period of time each day. Kneeling chairs are designed to reduce tension and pain in your back, neck and shoulders and encourage good posture and good circulation, as well as better breathing and core strength. Movement chairs keep your body in a constant state of motion, changing the position of your spine regularly and ensuring your back and core muscles are being strengthened. Computer monitor arms allow you to adjust your computer monitor to the correct height for your eye level in order to reduce and minimise neck and eye strain.

Compared to a traditional office chair, ergonomic chairsare designed to support your back's natural curves and promote proper posture, which reduces health risks. Ergonomic chairs conform to your body’s shape to support your spine and other bones. As well as help to keep your joints and tissue in a comfortable, neutral position. A major benefit of ergonomic chairs is their adjustable features. On an ergonomic chair the seat height, seat pan depth, backrest, headrest and back tilt can be adjusted in order to ensure that every aspect of your chair is fully customised to suit you and your needs. This ensures that you are always working comfortably and are fully supported at all times.

Compared to traditional desks, sit-stand desks increase focus, attention and productivity within your employees as standing helps to activate circulation within your body, which makes your brain more alert and active. Standing while working also helps to give you a faster metabolism as it increases your muscle activity, which means you are burning more calories than you would while sitting which reduces your risk of obesity. Standing desks also improve posture and potentially save you from ailments. Their adjustable nature also helps to reduce strain and pressure on your body while you work when compared to traditional desks as you can adjust and personalise your desk to your perfect eye level, ensuring you are comfortable for your entire working day.

At Radius Office we understand the importance of ergonomic furniture within your office and we have a wide selection of ergonomic furniture available for you to buy online or over the phone. We sell everything from ergonomic chairs and adjustable desks, to sit-stand desk mounts or computer monitor arms. All of which are designed to help support your body and reduce your risk of strain as you work. We also sell a range of movement and kneeling chairs designed to both support your posture and move your body as you work in order to strengthen your muscles by keeping your body in a constant state of movement.

An ergonomic workspace assessment is an assessment that is conducted by an individual at their individual workstations. The goal of this self-assessment is to identify potential problem areas within your office and determine suitable amendments and recommendations that can be made to fix them. It takes into consideration fundamental ergonomic principles to make your workstation layout more comfortable for you. The assessment is designed to provide guidance on healthy workstation behaviours which can help to reduce injury risk.

To improve your posture at work, you should maintain a neutral spine position with your shoulders relaxed and your feet flat on the floor. Avoid slouching or leaning forward, and keep your monitor at eye level to reduce strain on your neck. It may also be helpful to take frequent breaks to stretch and move around.