What does ergonomics mean?
The term ergonomics comes from the Greek for work and natural law (ergo and nomos). In this context, work means one’s duties in working life, although ergonomics is not limited only to the workplace. Natural law describes physical and psychological human characteristics. Thus, ergonomics means adjusting an individual’s work to their characteristics.
Ergonomics meets people’s needs
At heart, the adjective ergonomic means conformity to human characteristics and needs. People serve as the benchmark for the building and development of ergonomic work environments. Ergonomic work supports the physical, psychological and social needs of people at the optimal level.
Ergonomic work and working methods cover not only environmental factors that an individual cannot influence, but also numerous factors that an individual can directly affect. These include the adoption and implementation of ergonomic working methods and practices as well as the utilisation of the ergonomic properties of the surrounding work environment.
Disciplines of ergonomics
Ergonomics is often divided into three disciplines. Physical ergonomics focuses on a person’s physical existence and actions and the physical characteristics of the work environment, such as the dimensions of workstations and the properties of the tools used. For example, placing a door handle at a height that does not require people to reach out or stoop down to grab it supports physical ergonomics. The benefits of physical ergonomics are mainly related to musculoskeletal health and physically easy and efficient working, but they also impact one’s overall well-being indirectly.
Cognitive ergonomics approaches work from the perspective of mental processes. For example, cognitive ergonomics aims to make detection and finding important information easier and more efficient as well as to reduce one’s memory load. Cognitive ergonomics should be considered, for example, in the design of information systems and means of presentation, in open-plan offices, and in knowledge-intensive working stages. Work that is ergonomic cognitively feels meaningful, easy and inspiring.
Organisational ergonomics is concerned with the optimisation of socio-technical systems to ensure that the organisation can carry out its basic tasks undisturbed. Organisational ergonomics concerns, for example, resource, process and work management as well as the design of working times. It should also be considered in the development of production, services and teamwork. Good organisational ergonomics results in smooth work processes. For example, the workload or ethical load does not pile to create bottlenecks in the organisation.
Why is workplace ergonomics important?
Comprehensive ergonomics helps reduce occupational diseases, occupational accidents, and absences from work. In addition, ergonomics has a direct impact on one’s work performance and total productivity. Considering people’s physical, cognitive and social needs in the design of the working environment helps create sustainable and user-friendly working environments and enable comfortable and efficient working. Comprehensive ergonomics also improves the workplace atmosphere and employee motivation and reinforces the organisation’s reputation as a responsible employer. Healthy and happy employees are more motivated, efficient, and committed to the organisation.
Occupational health is an expert at ergonomics
Occupational health assesses workplace ergonomics from multiple perspectives in its workplace surveys and gives the client organisation suggestions for improvement. An occupational psychologist addresses the workplace’s cognitive and organisational ergonomics further by providing specialist services to the work community. We will dive into these themes in more detail this year.
Our measures and services for the development of physical workplace ergonomics include:
- A targeted survey to further assess the physical ergonomics of a specific job or workplace and to identify measures to improve it.
- An ergonomics assessment and advice related to the computer glasses assessment.
- Participation in the preparation of a new working area or workstation plan or the development of new tools and providing project managers with advice about physical ergonomics.
- Preparation of working method instructions for different working stages. These instructions help supervisors in the induction training of new employees.
- Interactive lectures about utilising physical ergonomics in the target group’s jobs and supporting the target group’s competencies. The content and execution of the lectures are decided and adapted according to the goals of the target group and the client.
- Direct access occupational physiotherapy, the TULETKO survey and our individual online course on ergonomic display work help an individual use their most important tool – their body – in an ergonomic way.
Your organisation’s designated occupational physiotherapist provides the physical ergonomics services mentioned above. Consult them to find solutions that best suit your organisation’s goals and situation.
Wishing you a healthy and happy winter,
Lauri Raivo
Service Manager, Occupational Physiotherapy
Susanna Paarlahti
Service Manager, Occupational Psychology