Ergonomic Office Furniture Basics

Understand ergonomic office furniture basics before outfitting your workplace

Purchase ergonomic furniture to improve employee productivity and safety. Long term, it can enhance your bottom line by lowering worker compensation costs and keeping workers working. Since about 33% of all occupational injuries and illnesses result from repetitive motions and/or over exertion, ergonomically designed office furniture can minimize worker’s injuries.

Ergonomic office furniture can match users' capabilities and work demands. When employees use incorrect office furniture, repetitive movements can cause injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that involve nerves, tendons, muscles and supporting structures of the body. Common injuries/MSDs include wrist tendonitis, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. When you start shopping for ergonomic computer furniture:
1. Let an ergonomic consultant help you select the right ergonomic office computer furniture.

2. Look for companies specializing in adjustable ergonomic office furniture and ergonomic computer furniture.

3. Furnishing employees with ergonomic furniture sends a positive signal that you care about them, increasing the likelihood they'll want to produce for you.

 

Weigh the benefits of ergonomic furniture

Beneficial to employees and employers who spend hours at desks and computers, ergonomic office chairs and other ergonomic business furniture help relieve stress and tiredness in joints and muscles. The results are fewer injuries, which then translates into fewer sick days, fewer workers compensation claims, more productivity and improved motivation by workers comfortable in an environment conducive to work. Ergonomic office and computer furniture will help prevent injuries caused by forceful, repetitive or prolonged exertion of hands and prolonged awkward postures. Besides proper posture and positioning of hands, ergo office chairs and computer chairs assist in promoting proper blood circulation/flow in the users' legs.
Try: Don't sacrifice looks to get the comfort and benefits of ergonomic chairs. Visit CSN Office Furniture to view the huge selection of office, desk and task chairs with ultra-modern and contemporary styles. Find companies like OfficeDesigns.com that let you compare ergonomic products side by side, making it easier to get the best product for your money.

Grasp the principles and theories behind ergonomic furniture

Ergonomic furniture does make a difference because designers and manufacturers build furniture that equalizes a worker's physical capacity and the demands of the job or task. They believe that when workers need muscular force to accomplish tasks while using ergonomic furniture, they'll be able to do so with the largest appropriate muscle groups. Forefront in their minds is the principle of performing work activities with the lease amount of joint strain. Adjustable ergonomic furniture is best, so employees can customize their furniture for the greatest comfort, and ability to change positions during the workday.
Try: Always research prior to buying office furniture. Start with companies that understand ergonomic principles like RightAngle Ergonomic Products. When setting up any computer stations, follow the 12 steps that Ergo In Demand adapted from Cornell University studies.

Find ergonomic furniture and office supplies

Ergonomic desk chairs, office chairs and computer chairs make excellent investments for your company because of all their benefits. Look for chairs with pneumatic height adjustment, adjustable height arms and arm width, independently adjustable and lockable seats, back tilts and adjustable lumbar support and proper seat depth. Adjustable-height desks make a great addition when multiple people share a desk. Footrests make ergonomic sense for non-adjustable height desks or when users don't have ergonomic seating. Task lighting makes work easy on the eyes, and accessories like an ergonomic mouse and keyboard keep hands/wrists free from injury and from tiring too quickly.
Try: Humanscale, a leading manufacturer of ergonomic office products, creates products that marry function and aesthetics with ease of use. Look for ergonomic office supplies, furniture and accessories at Ergonomic Resources. For adjustable desks, check out the selection of interactive desks from biomorph.

 

• Take ergonomic office furniture basics a step further with custom-made furniture. Designers consider user height, weight, gender, right or left-handedness and tasks performed before building furniture.

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