Ergonomics in Workplace

Widespread use of computers in business environments and at home have been going strong for over 15 years. Most people have used the mouse and keyboard as often as they use a spoon and plate and are just as necessary as tools. As helpful the personal computer is for speeding up our lives and making all of us more productive, its constant use has been taking a toll on our bodies in many ways. This is called Computer Fatigue Syndrome "CFS" which in turn is caused by poor ergonomics. "Ergonomics can be defined as the application of knowledge of human's characteristics to the designs of systems" (Chandra, Arunesh, et al, 913). The common problems range from back, shoulders and arm pain, wrist pain (carpal tunnel) and eye fatigue. The estimate is that "90 percent of the 70 million US workers using computers for more than 3 hours a day experience some sort of computer fatigue" (Saleeby, 3rd paragraph). The main problem with these pains is that there is no standard policy that can regulate or teach users on how to avoid these issues over long term computer usage.

Application of ergonomicprocedures in the office is straight linked to the productivity of individual employees and the organization and therefore has an impact on the company's finance. If we want to optimally use the capabilities and skills of our employees, we must ensure high quality computer hardware and the best working conditions. Ensuring ergonomic conditions of work requires in turn: suitable furniture (chairs, work tables, additional supporting furniture), appropriate spatial configuration of equipment at the work place (position of a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.) proper lighting of the work place (proper intensity of light, elimination of reflections) and good organization of work.The good ergonomicsof the work environment can improveour comfort and health,productivity at work, efficiency of workers, reduction of absenteeism costs, and therefore of operating costs, and creative way of thinking of the employees.

The policies that I want to suggest will affect both business owners and employees (users). Business owners should have to have mandatory classes or training for the proper ergonomic use of computer equipment. Just like a business has training on the proper use of let's say some sort of specialized equipment like a printing press for example and how it is to be used for an employee not to hurt themselves, they should also have training for new employees on how to properly use their most often used tool, the computer and how the office environment can prevent CFS. The government should have a policy standard that would force businesses to conduct these classes/training and face fines if not doing so. "Computer users need to know how to create good ergonomic working arrangements for computer workstations, including placement of the screen, keyboard, mouse and lighting. Furthermore, they need to be aware of short breaks to decrease the stress in soft tissues; disc and nerves caused by the static postures and prolonged sitting frequently involved in computer use." (Hakala et al) This is necessary if we want that our employees will be happy and healthy. Employees will work more efficiently for us. A well-equipped interior creates an image of a company both in the eyes of customers who visit their business partners and of employees. It is worth having an image of a company that cares about its employees, because it is people who make the company. If a company does not care about its staff, why should it care about me, its customer?

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has a very well written guideline on their website of the main points that affect Computer Fatigue Syndrome. They include, "Working postures, seating, keyboard/input device, monitor, work area environment and other accessories." I would create new policies that would make legal regulations relating to office work where they will obligate employers to prepare an ergonomic workplace: arrangement of furnishings, condition of furnishings, strain on the musculoskeletal system and vision organs, stress caused by lighting, noise and other physical factors, mental stress due to the way the work is organized. They will obligate employersto provide at least a 5 minute break (included in the work time) after each hour of work at the screen monitor or to mix the work at the computer with the work that does not put a strain on vision and can be performed in other body positions. Employer should provide preventive health care and to provide glasses correcting vision according to a physician's recommendations. The policy would require the employer to address any and all of these issues for each