What Are the Benefits of an Ergonomically Designed Workstation?

If you have ever looked into acquiring office furniture, you may have seen the furniture, particularly office chairs, labelled as ergonomic. While this is a word many are familiar with and associate with comfort and quality, there is much more to ergonomics than just style and an adjustable fit.

Ergonomics is an applied science to optimise things humans use. Read on to learn more about ergonomics, why ergonomics in the office is essential for occupational health and safety, and why Sustainable Office Solutions are the best provider of sustainable, ergonomic office furniture in Melbourne.

What is ergonomic design?

Ergonomics is an applied science that works on the design and arrangement of things people use to optimise the efficiency and safety of the item or utility.

The science of ergonomics can be applied to anything humans use, including:

• Tools
• Sporting equipment
• Furniture
• Industrial machinery
• Vehicles
• Pet gear
• Military equipment and much more

Office furniture is one of the most common things associated with ergonomic design, as the sole purpose of furniture is to support the human form.

Ergonomics has become more critical in furniture in this technological age, as more people spend their long working hours sitting at a computer in a workstation.

Sitting or remaining still for long periods has been directly linked to a wide range of severe adverse health conditions, some potentially fatal long-term. Read on to learn more about the health risks of sedentary work life and the critical role ergonomics plays in occupational health, safety, and worker performance.

The health risks of sedentary professions

More people make their living from sitting at computers than ever before. Unfortunately, many studies show many adverse health effects from sitting for extended periods.

Some of the most notable health conditions that arise with sitting for long periods and  poor posture include:

• Increased blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Mental health conditions
• Unhealthy cholesterol levels
• Compromised cardiovascular performance
• Metabolic syndromes and more

These problems often arise from a sedentary, poorly optimised work environment and have been linked to a wide range of comorbidities also, including:

• Heart disease
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Obesity
• Painful back and neck issues
• Organ damage and more

When you sit for extended periods, you put pressure on your organs, spine, and hips and develop poor posture and slumped shoulders which can also affect breathing and heart rate.

Some health professionals have even stated that sitting for long periods can be equated with the health impacts of smoking. Health conditions related to a sedentary lifestyle are expected to rise over the coming decades.

However, we still have to continue to work, and one of the best things we can do to mitigate some of these adverse health conditions is to apply ergonomic design to our workstations.

The health benefits of good ergonomics

Ergonomics in the office not only helps to optimise the body to reduce the chance of disease; being comfortable and correctly aligned can also significantly increase productivity.

Some research has even suggested making your workstation ergonomic could even enhance or improve aspects of your health and performance.

Some of the potential and proven health and performance benefits directly linked to implementing an ergonomic workplace include:

• Improved cardiovascular function
• Less eye strain
• Reduced neck and back pain
• Reduced sick days
• Improved core muscle engagement
• Improvements in muscle strength and blood flow
• Reduced anxiety
• Mood and focus improvements
• Measurable improvements in productivity
• Increased employee engagement
• Fewer workplace injuries and more

Studies on ergonomic implementation have also seen measurable improvements in overall morale, employee job satisfaction, and staff retention.

The anatomy of an ergonomic workstation

To make your office or home workstation ergonomic, you must use adjustable, ergonomically designed office furniture and accessories to customise and optimise your space, the two most important features being your desk and office chair.

Ergonomic office chairs

The most well-known piece of ergonomic office furniture is the office chair. An ergonomic office has a range of adjustable parameters that allow some to position themselves in the most supportive natural position for their body size and shape.

A good example is the Howorth Zody task chair, one of our most popular ergonomic second-hand office chairs.

Some of the ergonomic adjustable features in the Zody's design include:

• Pneumatic adjustable seat height
• Back angle and seat slider
• Adjustable asymmetrical lumbar support
• Mesh back for airflow and comfort
• Waterfall seat edge to reduce pressure

Like many ergonomic office chairs, the Zody has the option of adjustable armrests depending on a person's preferences.

These parameters allow a person to optimise their seated position, ensuring the feet are flat on the floor or supported by a stool, the spine is straight, the neck is up, and the eyes can look straight ahead.

Ergonomic work desks

While an office chair is one of the most influential pieces of ergonomic furniture in a well-designed workstation, an ergonomic desk also helps optimise your design.

Ergonomic desks have adjustable height settings, often operated via a winding mechanism or an electric motor, which allows users to set their office chair and desk to the correct ratios. Monitor stands or swivels are also common to help keep the user's neck aligned correctly.

A popular trend in ergonomic desks is the standing desk, which allows the user to adjust the desk to a standing and sitting height throughout the day to promote movement without affecting productivity.

Build your ergonomic workstation the sustainable way

Every year in Australia, it is estimated around 55,000 tonnes of office furniture waste makes its way to landfill, much of it in usable or near brand new condition.

This is not sustainable, and a cultural change is required in Australia's corporate community to collectively develop a less wasteful, more eco-friendly office fit-out model.

The team here at Sustainable Office Solutions are passionate about helping solve Australia's office furniture waste problem. We procure and resell quality second-hand office chairs, sustainable office furniture for individual sale, and small and large ergonomic office fit-outs.

We stock a wide range of high-quality ergonomic, sustainable office furniture, including from leading brands like:

• Haworth
• Herman Miller
• Hafele
• Zenith
• Schiavello
• Koban and much more

To learn more about our Melbourne operations, or speak to one of our consultants, call 03 9312 6341 or via email to info@sustainableofficefurniture.com.au.