In America, Back Pain is Epidemic, Office Chairs and Seating Play a Role

Today™s problem with office chairs some say, is that we have been forced into a table and chair culture where many of our daily tasks take place in this right angled and seated position. This sort of sitting can force the body into a slumped or c shaped position putting uneven pressure on the vertebral disks and muscles of the lower back. With time and being seated in your office chair over long periods each day, the spine can become deformed and erode disks, making it hard to retrain to the proper posture for sitting. In America, back pain is epidemic. Costing us billions each year, aside from the common cold, back pain or injury from workplace conditions or office chairs of some sort keeps more employees away from work than any other single cause. Evidence from many different cultures shows us that seating and the practice of sitting has been associated with numerous issues. Back pain of all sorts, fatigue, varicose veins, muscle stress, problems with the diaphragm, digestion and body development have all been associated with improper positioning when seated for long periods of time. People in some third world countries never use chairs but instead sit on the ground or floor. This type of sitting, known as ˜autonomous™ sitting, or sitting upright without back support is not easy. Sitting up straight has to be forced, and is hard to maintain and train the body to habitually remember to do. . Trying to stay seated correctly in your standard task office chair can be challenging. The solution lies in re-educating your own body to move the way it was designed to move. Simply by using your body properly, the ˜autonomous™ sitting position can be regained and retrained into your memory with little effort. . Tips for Practicing Good Posture for Your Office Chair # Practice sitting without back support, start with a few minutes and gradually work up. # Try to use the furniture in your house and office which allows you to be seated without back support. # When you feel tired and begin to slump, lay down a few minutes to regain energy. # Replace sitting when ever possible. Reclining is one of the best positions for reading or speaking on the phone. # Take a break from sitting at least once an hour. Amy Pedersen works in the ergonomics and office furniture industry and is an expert in her field. Please visit her ergonomic websites to see more information and details on executive, mesh, leather, task and ergonomic office chairs and furniture to maintain your workstation. Offering a wide variety of executive and task office chairs with an online sales catalog as well as providing ergonomic information on proper chair positioning and seating at the workplace.

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Importnace of Ergonomic Chairs in office

In today’s office setting, ergonomic office chairs are very important. At work, many office employees are sitting more than eight hours per day. During this time,it’s important that ergonomic chairs be used, as they will help reduce shoulder, back, and neck strain. Even though they may cost more than the standard office chair, they are a wise investment simply because they increase productivity and can help prevent serious injury. When you select the proper ergonomic offer chair, there are several factors you should consider. You’ll want chairs with an adjustable seat, the proper lumbar support, backrest, adequate seat depth and width, arm rests, and the ability to swivel. You should also read the instruction manual as well and ensure that all of the adjustment mechanisms function properly. If you find a chair to be defective in any way, it should be returned immediately. Keep in mind when selecting your chairs that there is really no “one size fits all” for every body type. What is best for one individual may not be the best choice for another. Before buying a chair you should give it a try and see what you think. If it isn’t possible to test out the chair, you should make sure that you can get a refund if something goes wrong. Before you purchase or use an ergonomic chair it’s best to fully understand proper posture and ergonomics while at work or at home. One of the basics to ergonomics is making sure that a chair’s seat height will allow the user’s feet to stay firmly planted on the floor. It’s also good if the chair provides a lumbar support, which will fit the inward curve of the lower back area. With the traditional ergonomic office chair, there are a lot of new and emerging alternatives. Depending on the chair, you may find yourself in new positions. Even though they may take a bit of getting used to, these chairs are great for someone who experiences a bit of discomfort or chronic back pain. Those who sit at their desks for extended periods of time would greatly benefit from ergonomic chairs. While sitting at a desk, you put your back and upper torso in a cramped position, making yourself a target for back pain later on in life. With ergonmic chairs, your back gets the support it needs. This way you can sit at your desk all day long and know that your back and the rest of your body is very comfortable.

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Importance of a Good Ergonomic Workstation

Importance of a Good Ergonomic Workstation Health Articles | October 1, 2007 Repetitive strain injuries in the workplace?are continually rising, costing billions of dollars annually.? With the right office ergonomic set-up, employees can perform better and companies can reduce the number of injuries and their associated costs.? Introduction Do you experience recurring back problems, itchy dry eyes, and/or numbness, pain or tingling in upper body parts including wrists, elbows and neck? Do you work long hours glued to your workstation without taking breaks? Chances are you are a part of the 7% American population suffering from repetitive stress injury (RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and/ or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s) caused by excessive use of poorly designed products. According to studies conducted by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), these conditions constitute almost 19% of hospital stays and 14% visits to a doctor’s office. Not only do these occupational medical conditions affect the workforce, they also cost employers billions of dollars towards compensation claims, hidden expenses, productivity loss, employee attrition, surgery, medical treatment and litigation. According to National Council of Compensation Insurance, average compensation for CTS amounts to $33,000 per patient and these costs are escalating with each passing year. Let’s give you more insight to health related effects of poorly designed workstations. While a physician can prescribe medication for some of these problems, others require consultation with a specialist and repeated visits to a hospital. Some ailments like CTS call for surgery. Data for the years 1997-2000 shows that only 23% of those who underwent surgery for CTS could join their earlier jobs. Several CTS patients have to undergo a second surgery with no guarantee of getting back normal hand movement.Benefits of an Ergonomically Enhanced Work Environment Ergonomically designed workplaces are the best solution to all the problems mentioned above. They offer numerous advantages to both, employers as well as employees. Healthy Workforce ? Instead of workers adjusting to standard tools and equipment, ergonomics promotes product designing based on human body structure and requirements. Therefore, these products drastically reduce the strain workers experience due to repetitive use of machines, computers, scanners, industrial apparatus and related instruments. Less strain equates to reduced instance of occupational illnesses and therefore healthier employees. Enhanced Productivity ? A healthy workforce translates to enhanced productivity. Easy to use equipment keeps the work momentum going on for longer durations. Workers experience less fatigue and are happy to use tools designed especially for them. Reduced Number of Sick Days Reported ? People with reduced instance of work associated ailments implies they take fewer days off due to sickness and work more number of days in a year. This means lesser number of workdays is lost. Savings ? By using ergonomic workstations, employers save huge amounts of money otherwise spent in compensation claims, treatments and litigation.Guidelines for An Ergonomic Workstation Casual lifestyles combined with long working hours further add to workplace related ailments. Simple changes in routine activities go a long way in prevention of stress related injuries. Furniture ? Use furniture with adjustable height. Your arms should comfortably rest on the table when using a computer. Adjust table or chair height if your hands bend up or down while typing. All the furniture should be easy to use. Consider special requirements of differently abled users.Chairs should be comfortable, have adjustable backrest and provide lumbar support. Chair casters should be suitable for the floor.? Optimal lighting saves employees from squinting while reading. At the same time, lighting should not be too bright to hurt the eyes. Move the screen slightly to overcome the problem of light glare from the monitor. PCs and Peripherals ? The market is flooded with ergonomically designed PCs, mouse, laptops, keyboards, monitors and associated gadgets. Purchase the best that your budget allows. Buy approved well-established products. Determine the actual issue to be resolved and then buy the product designed to take care of the concerned problem. Workstation Arrangement ? Arrange a workstation such that the user is centrally placed so he/she can comfortably reach each corner of the allotted space. After arranging everything, the workstation should still be left with enough space so the user does not feel drowned in office equipment. Place the monitor at arms length 2 to 3 inches above the eye level. If at this distance, you are unable to read clearly, then use bigger fonts or set your monitor for magnified viewing. Never keep the monitor too close to the eyes. Workstation arrangement should allow users to move around comfortably. Posture ? Pay attention to your posture. Correct posture keeps the body straight without exerting pressure on the spine. When typing, your wrists should flatten out as much as possible when. Keep your neck and head straight when looking at the monitor. Adjust monitor height or angle if you find yourself bending your head to read. Breaks ? Take short breaks every hour. If possible, walk up the aisle. Stretch yourself and exercise your eyes. Hand stretches are important for keyboard users. Eye movement is particularly required if you look at the monitor for extended durations. Look at far away objects and blink rapidly for a few seconds every 15-20 minutes. This relaxes the eyes and replenishes the moisture necessary for keeping them clean and lubricated. Exercise ? A combined stretch and exercise routine is important to the prevention of repetitive strain injuries.? When taking short breaks throughout the day, perform active stretches and exercises to prevent muscle imbalances from developing in the fingers, wrists, shoulders, chest and back.? Devices like Flextend, Restore, resistance bands, or going to the gym several days a week, can significantly improve performance while staving off career-ending injuries. Taking the appropriate steps to prevent injuries from occurring to employees is extremely important for the success of any company as healthy, happy employees produce quality results in less time than those functioning in a poor work environment.? Intelligent companies realize that having a high volume of workplace injuries can damage their bottom line drastically due to the costs associated from lost time from work, light duty restrictions, job retraining, medical treatments, lawsuits and increased insurance rates. Take the time to speak to your health and safety supervisor about implementing a good ergonomics program in your office to increase moral and productivity ? It works! Article Tags: Ergonomic Workstation

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Imperial Office Furniture, UK

In the highly competitive market for office furniture in the UK, Imperial since 1993 has earned a reputation for both quality and value. Here we will examine some of the products available for purchase from Imperial, and detail some of the fine features incorporated: The Receptiv line of products has been created for both attractiveness and space usage. Modular base and top units of reception furnishings enhance any office area. Various sizes, styles, and finishes accentuate your reception room. Here are some of the product lines available: – Segflow: This line is idea for corner space applications. All models provide user-friendly work space combined with all-new desk-height pedestals. – Traditional: From walnut finish to silver kickplate, these models incorporate luxurious glass shelving. Mobile storage units are neatly tucked under the base units. Aesthetic value is key here. – Contemporary: The first impression one receives when viewing the Contemporary models is: Crisp, fresh and modern. These are idea for hair salons, beauticians, opticians, dental surgeons and the like. 600mm deep base units save space and provide good sight lines. – Receptiv Freeflow features either concave or convex base and counter units with attention-grabbing ash and silver colour options. These units are very flexible in that they offer an almost endless configuration possibility array. There are several more model groups available for you to consider. Imperial also offers professional guidance in the planning aspect of your remodeling needs. Available space can be maximized for usage with their team of professionals. Computer assisted modeling is available and encouraged for your convenience and increased satisfaction. Written by Victor Smithston. Find more information on Imperial Office Furniture UK

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How To Use Motivational Posters

Putting motivational posters in your home office can give you a boost in whatever it is that you need to do. Some may think that motivational posters are cheesy because they often contain clich? slogans and quotes. While this is true to some extent, there are so many motivational posters that your office can choose so it is actually easy to find one that will suit a professional or business setting. Mainly, companies use motivational posters to make their employees become more productive, enhance their morale and to promote company loyalty. While most workers do not really care about these motivational posters, these materials help create a positive outlook in the workplace whether employees are aware of it or not. The encouraging words in motivational posters can be a source of inspiration to an employee who is feeling down. If you are in charge of decorating the office, just make sure that you do not overdo it. Do not hang motivational posters on every single wall because that can be annoying and not aesthetically-pleasing at all. Also, choose motivational posters that make use of professional-looking photographs. The images on the posters should be appropriate as well like the city landscape, for example. Of course, do not forget to choose a matching frame for the posters. Most business offices are painted in neutral colors, so you may want to make sure that you select posters that are not too bright unless they suit your company’s image. If you would be decorating your home office, then you would have more freedom in choosing what motivational posters to use or, for that matter, whether you want to use any at all. Just remember to choose the posters appropriate to your workplace, especially if you would be receiving clients in your home office. You do not have to choose typical motivational posters. You can actually use a poster with an image that is personally meaningful to you. You can use a poster of anything that has significance in your life or that reminds you of what you want to achieve in life whether it is monetary or otherwise. Aside from posters, you can also create motivational wallpaper on your PC’s desktop or use a motivational desktop calendar. A motivational poster and other motivational products are not just decorations; they serve as constant reminders of your goals. They help keep you focused on whatever you want to achieve and provides a constant source of daily motivation.

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How To Organize Your Office Desk In 15 Minutes

Do you have to move papers and clutter to create space to work on your desk? Is your desk covered with uncompleted projects, stacks of unread correspondences, sticky notes containing unfamiliar scribbles of messages taken days ago, inkless pens, pencils with no lead, paper clips scattered about and memos taped to the computer to remind you of deadlines. Does this sound familiar? If it does, you must reclaim your desk and conquer all the desk demons invading your office desk. A cluttered desk is no place to be creative or productive, it only adds to the feelings of being overwhelmed, stressed and distracted.However in 15 Minutes, you can conquer the desk demons and create a successful surrounding that will get you feeling very productive and motivated. Here are four steps that will get you the perfect office desk in 15 minutes.Clear Your Desk of EverythingTake everything off your desk and put it on the floor in neat stacks. At this time don’t try to justify what you must keep and what needs to be trashed, just take it all off your desk. This will give you the clarity you need to begin and complete this exercise and the opportunity to rejuvenate and refresh. You are transforming from an old habit of a messy desk into a new way of keeping your desk organized.Designate an Inbox spaceDecide if you would like the right or left corner of your desk to be your inbox (I recommend the right corner), however, it’s your desk so you must decide. Once you have designated a space for your invoice, put an 8 X 11 inch tray in that space to hold all incoming correspondences. Don’t fret, if you don’t have a tray, no need to rush out and purchase one, just designate an area and identify it as your inbox space and never allow anything else to take up that particular space. The use of your inbox space is to collect all incoming correspondences: memos, mail, anything that is coming to you and you are responsible for reading (it’s comparable to your email inbox). You must check in with your inbox tray daily. Upon reading a correspondence, you must take three actions: take action immediately (if it requires a response), file it or trash it. Your inbox is not a holding space to keep information indefinitely. It serves as an organization tool to hold all incoming information until you can take one of the above actions. You must make the commitment to check in with your inbox daily, sometimes two to three times a day depending upon the amount of incoming information you receive daily.Create a Tickler FileGet twelve manila folders and label them January – December, then you will need 31 more vanilla folders labeled 1 – 31 for the days in the month and two additional folders labeled for the upcoming years. As I am writing this it is 2008, so you would create a 2008 folder and a 2009 folder. Which ever month that you are currently in, include the days of the month folders (1-31). Whenever you have a planned task, appointment, incoming memo announcing a meeting/ seminar and or project deadline just put the information in the folder according to month and date that you need to get it done. For example, if I need to complete and submit an article to a publication that my target audience reads on December 15, 2008, I would put the contact information, due date and a checklist in the folder for December 15, 2008. On Dec. 15, everything that needs to be done is in my tickler file and I can take action. What if I am planning to attend a conference on May 17, 2009 and just received the itinerary, I would put the itinerary in the 2009 file folder and when the 2009 arrives, the itinerary will be moved to the month of May in the 17th file folder. Tickler files should also be in sync with your daily planner. It is best to put your tickler file system in a file/desk drawer, or even a box. Keep it simple; however, avoid the temptation to put it on your office desk.Now it’s time to file. Peruse through all the papers that you initially cleared off your desk and file them into your tickler file system accordingly. If you find correspondences that are outdated, unimportant or does not need you to respond, throw those excess papers in the trash and clear the clutter.Review your tickler file daily.Keep a Planner / Calendar on desk Your desk should have a planner or calendar which shows you the date and a list of all the tasks & activities that need to be completed during that particular day. Use your planner to jot down any quick notes, telephone messages or frequently used telephone numbers, this system will prevent you from writing information on multiple sheets of paper or sticky notes and it will serve as the primary place to store notes and messages. Notes & Messages will be easily retrievable when you are in need to review them. You will no longer have to wonder, “Where did I put it?” and waste time looking for any messages or notes.Viola! You have created an organized desk (in 15 min.) that is ready for your productivity.(c) 2008 Bridgette BoudreauxABOUT THE AUTHOR:Business Coach & Time Management Expert, Bridgette Boudreaux, Teaches Female Small Biz Owners To Get It All Done In 6 Hours or Less Daily!If you’d like to work less hours, accelerate productivity and double your income while creating more time for family & fun stuff with Bridgette’s simple but powerful 5 Step System, call today to schedule a Free half-hour phone consultation at 1-800-373-0797. Learn more now at http://www.yourtime2soar.comGet Your Free Report: 39 Quick & Simple Time Tips, visit http://www.yourtime2soar.comCoach Bridgette also offers Free teleclasses Free articles and other resources to help female small biz owners to get it all done. Learn more now at http://www.yourtime2soar.comSoaring to Achievements, Inc. 7670 Branch Drive New Orleans, LA 70128 512-351-4842Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bridgette_Boudreaux

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How to Find Those Office Furniture Bargains

Just a couple of decades ago office furniture was not considered to be particularly important from an aesthetic point of view. Stark grey filing cabinets, metal desks and uncomfortable chairs were the norm. In recent years most businesses have come to realise that their office space is much more than a place where people sit and work. It has been proven that people are more likely to remain happy and motivated in a working environment that is both functional and pleasing. Additionally, it can be beneficial to represent a good image to visitors, demonstrating that the business is concerned about the design of its office space. Unfortunately, high quality office furniture usually comes with a high price tag, so how do we locate the best bargains in office furniture? Arguably the best way to pick up keenly priced, well designed, high quality office furniture is too purchase from an on-line office furniture supplier. The reasons for this are many and varied; let us take a look at a few of the main ones. ¢ Better selection ??” Unlike a walk-in wholesaler, who is required to maintain stocks of the furniture they wish to sell, an on-line store will usually only order in items from the manufacturer once a sales order has been received. This means that they are able to offer a far wider range of office furniture, which will not have been sitting in a warehouse for months gathering dust. We are talking about a truly dynamic inventory, which will include the very latest designs. ¢ Keener pricing ??” Due to the fact that the on-line store will seldom purchase stock in advance of an order, they will always have access to the manufacturers current price. This means that they are able to ensure that every conceivable discount is passed on to the consumer, making them cheaper by far than a traditional retailer of office furniture. ¢ Streamlined ordering and delivery ??” What could be simpler than clicking on the items you require, and then specifying a delivery address? No confusion over the goods you wish to purchase, quick delivery times and automated billing means that purchasing from an on-line office furniture store is simple and straightforward. These are just a small selection of the reason why purchasing office furniture on-line is the best way to ensure that your business is receiving not only the best pricing, but excellent service and a simplified way of ordering. On-line purchasing is a safe and quick way of buying a whole range of office furniture, from simple desks and chairs to integrated office systems and storage units. Don™t make the mistake of supplying your workers with inferior office furniture, creating an inharmonious working environment and effecting productivity. Make sure your staff is happy and productive by purchasing office furniture bargains from a reputable on-line vendor.

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How to Find Great Nightclub Seating

If you can remember the first time you went to a nightclub, it was a fun and exciting experience. So when you are getting ready to start your own nightclub, you want to make your night spot just as cool and “the place to be” as any you have visited in the past. So by getting a head start thinking ahead about how to find the perfect furniture and decoration items, you will be sure to be able to create just the right atmosphere that you want that will bring the customers in. When you set out to become a proprietor of your own nightspot, you naturally become an expert in a lot of things you may not have thought about before. How to select the right furniture for your nightclub is a big part of your decision making process as you start to get down to the details of how your club will work and how you want the furniture you buy to make that happen. The furniture you buy for your nightclub actually represents one of the largest purchases you will make. So much of the money in your budget for starting your nightclub business up will go toward furniture. And since your investors will be fronting the costs or you might be borrowing the money to get your nightclub up and running, you want to get it right the first time and buy good quality seating for your guests to enjoy as well as furniture that is stylish and that fits with your decor. Along with learning far more about what makes great nightclub seating when you are preparing to open your own place, you will also be faced with the challenge of how to find the chairs, couches, bar stools and other types of seating you will need for the diverse setting that is what makes a nightclub so attractive to people. This is not the kind of seating you will find by shopping in the furniture aisle at Sam’s Club. It is unique and the seating must be well made and perfectly suited to a night club environment. Probably the most straight forward way to find the right suppliers who can provide you with good nightclub seating is from other nightclub owners. By frequenting nightclubs in your area, you can corner the owner or manager and for the price of a few drinks or a dinner, he may be willing to share with you many of his best contacts for supplying his needs in running his nightclub. The suppliers who know exactly what kind of furniture is perfect for nightclubs and bars are a unique breed. But by getting in on the circle of people who are “in the know” you can be in touch with the best suppliers and jump start your search for good nightclub tables and chairs quickly. It is sad to say but nightclubs come and go fairly quickly from the night life scene of most major cities. Hopefully that will not happen to your new establishment and your club will be open for many years and maybe decades. But the hidden secret that you can benefit from knowing about other nightclubs that close in your area is that they will be looking to sell their seating and other furniture and decoration items at a good price. If you can even make contact with the distressed owners before they have a sale, you could arrange to buy up the bulk of their seating and other furniture items at a vastly reduced price from buying new and make a good deal for you while helping out a kindred spirit who made a go of the nightclub business but it didn’t work out for them. Finally there is another secret that could keep you from holding the bag on a lot of chairs and other furniture items you no long want. Don’t buy. Rent. The nightclub business is trendy and it isn’t uncommon to remodel once or twice a year. So by renting , you can go from a cowboy theme, to disco to the Copa Cabana to a techno club and be able to swap out the furniture as fast as you can put up new wall paper. That may be just the kind of flexibility you need to stay current and successful in this fast moving part of the entertainment industry.

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How to Download Wall Paper (No Glue Required!)

A kitten licking the window of your phone. A dancing hula girl waves “hello” each time you make a call. Animated screensavers can make a big difference in personalizing a phone?turning the dull greenish background of your mini-monitor into a tiny stage where favorite figures can “perform”.Unfortunately, wanting a screen saver and actually figuring out how to download one are two different things. Some mobile phone users complain that the hours they spent looking for the perfect animated screen saver were pretty much wasted when they couldn’t get the file to work on their phone. What’s the deal?The first thing you need to do is to check your WAP settings. Your phone has to configured to receive information from the mobile internet. Usually you’ll find the instructions in your phone’s User Manual, or you can go to the website of your cell phone manufacturer and find their directions there. If all else fails, find the resident geek in your office or house and have him do it for you.Now that you’re WAP ready, go to the website (there are hundreds, even thousands, to choose from) that offers animated screen savers. Select the one you want to download. Depending on the website, you’ll be told to input the model of your phone, your number?well, you know the drill. Just do what they tell you, but read the fine print as well, like privacy agreements and whether or not the song you like is actually in a format that’s compatible with your phone unit.Then, press download. Some websites, alternatively, will tell you to send an SMS containing the item code to the number displayed for your mobile operator. You’ll receive confirmation that the transaction has been completed. Wait for your phone to beep. You’ll get the display ” Service Settings Received”. Retrieve it, and then download. The item is on your phone now. (To know where to look for it, consult your User Manual or the information on your provider’s website).What if the wallpaper doesn’t work? Be sure that it’s in the right format. Static wallpapers are usually jpeg files, 176×220, and 72dpi (dots per inch). Animated screensavers have to be an animated gif. You can save these on your computer, relocate them onto your transflash card (accessing your pictures folder). Reinsert your card back and go to the folder. Then switch storage device, and apply as wallpaper.Screensavers will be activated if you leave your phone open for an amount of time. Check your phone to change how many minutes (typical time is 1 to 2) before it kicks in.Now many people get confused by the difference between a wallpaper and a theme. A wallpaper or animated screensaver is just the image that appears on the front screen when your phone is on but not in use. It does not affect your phone’s fonts, colors, or all the other visuals on your phone (such as main menu or My Favorites). Themes, however, are a full package of related visuals. Download a theme, and you will get not only a wallpaper but a fully coordinated set of pictures and visual settings.Polyphonics.eu.com provides a full range of polyphonic ringtones for your mobile as well as wallpaper and animated screensavers.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Nicosia

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How to Create the Ideal Ergonomic Workstation

What is Ergonomics?Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with design according to human needs. It is also the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Ergonomics looks at what kind of work you do, what equipment you use and your entire job environment. The goal of ergonomics is to find the best fit between you and your job conditions.How To Create The Ideal Ergonomic WorkstationA thorough ergonomics assessment will help create the ideal ergonomic workstation by addressing the following topics: – Computer use – Type of computer used – Chair used – A good workstation ergonomic arrangement – PostureSetting up an ergonomic computer workstationIf an ergonomic computer workstation is going to be used by several people, you will need to create an arrangement that most closely satisfies the needs of the extremes. It will have to accommodate the smallest and tallest, thinnest and broadest.Make sure that the computer is placed on a stable working surface with adequate room for proper arrangement.It’s important to choose a comfortable chair for the user to sit in. If only one person is using the chair it can be at a fixed height provided that it is comfortable and has a good backrest that provides lumbar support. If more than one person will be using the computer, consider buying and a chair with several ergonomic features.A good workstation design will allow any computer user to work in a neutral,relaxed, ideal typing posture that will minimize the risk of developing any injury. A thorough ergonomics assessment will evaluate these and other potential risk factors for workplace injury.What is a good workstation setup?A good workstation setup may include:- Ergonomic keyboards and mouse – Wrist rests – Support braces/gloves – If you’re considering an “ergonomic product” ask yourself the following questions: – Does it feel comfortable for a long period? – Does the product design and the manufacturer’s claims make sense? – What research evidence can the manufacturer provide to support their claims? – What do ergonomics experts say about the product?Some ergonomic products may feel strange or slightly uncomfortable at first because they often produce a change in your posture that’s beneficial in the long-term. Stop using the product if it continues to feel uncomfortable after a reasonable trail period of at least a week.Other considerations are the following environmental conditions where the computer will be used:- Lighting – Ventilation – Noise Take a break!No matter how great your ergonomics workstation is, it’s important to take frequent, brief rest breaks. Make sure to practice the following to help avoid strain and injury:- Eye breaks every 15 minutes. – Micro-breaks from the use of a particular set of muscles that’s doing much of the work (e.g. the finger flexors if you’re doing a lot of typing). – Rest breaks every 30 to 60 minutes. – Exercise breaks every 1-2 hours.Sharon Stage is Marketing Manager for Ergonomics OHS. Ergonomics OHS provide office ergonomics training specialising in computer and workstation ergonomics.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_Stage

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