Ergonomic Issues in the Office

http://www.burrisinc.com/

Yass Hatahet
790191
Ms. Fraser
BTT 1O8
Sunday, January, 31st, 2016

Table of Contents

Section
Page
Introduction...........................................................3
Research...............................................................4
Research Questions....................................................4
Ergonomic Issues.......................................................4
Benefits of Ergonomic Office......................................6
Insurance of Ergonomic Environment.........................7

Existing Products...................................................8
Ergonomic Chair........................................................8
Stand Up Desk..........................................................9
Adjustable Computer Desk........................................9
Adjustable Monitor Stand..........................................10
F.lux Computer Program............................................10
Ergonomic Split Keyboard.........................................11
Ergonomic Mouse......................................................11
Ergonomic Keyboard Tray..........................................12
Desk Lamp................................................................13
Ergonomic Pen..........................................................13

Design Brief.........................................................13
Structure of Ergonomic Office..................................13

Introduction
I believe that starting an introduction with a definition from a trusted source
gives the reader a better understanding of what the topic is about.
Ergonomics, according to the Oxford dictionary identifies as a concept
relating to or design for efficiency and comfort in the working environment.
In todays society, jobs have truly developed risk factors that go along with
them. The jobs we see today have evolved in such a way that they are
capable of damaging the body and mind. Whether it is a sedentary job or a
more mobile job, there are always risks to be considered. So how does
ergonomics impact a workplace? Its purpose is to simply reduce and prevent
the risk of physical injuries as well as illness to improve and enhance the
quality of the workers life for much appreciated results. 1 Thus, the
development of ergonomic studies. Ergonomists use their ability and
professional observations to analyze a specific workplace such as the office
to conclude the various types of risks it has on an individual. As a medical
company that utilizes technology for the benefit of our customers, we are
required to have a skilled team of software developers to have the ability to
develop and produce a reliable service that is integrated with our product,
the Smartband. We try our best to provide our workers with the optimal
comfort required in their working environment for good productivity and
superb results. However, working in an office can be very challenging to
some of our employees as it causes various physical and mental damage
that may result in harsh consequences for both the employee as well as our
company. Thus, it is our responsibility to ensure their safety as well as their
comfort. This is where ergonomics comes in since it offers various solutions
for our employees. In this report, we will be discussing this concept further in
more detail to provide our company with the best working environment.
Furthermore, we will take part in the understanding of ergonomics in the
office. This includes the issues that may arise due to poorly designed
working environments, how ergonomics in the office has the capability to
withstand and solve these issues, how an ergonomically built office can
impact both the employee and the company, and how we, as a company can
insure the comfort of our employees while working. In addition to that, we
will also take a look at how existing products of today attempt of solve these
issues in our working environment, the office. With the knowledge about
these products, we will be able to utilize them to our advantage in the office.

1 CtdMAP. "What Is the Purpose of Ergonomics in the Workplace?" What Is the

Purpose of Ergonomics in the Workplace? CtdMAP. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.ctdmap.com/information/education/642.aspx>.
3

At the end of the report, you will develop a clear vision on how ergonomics
can positively affect a work place. You will learn about the ways we can use
the analyzed products to improve the conditions of our office to guarantee
the safety of our employees.

Research
Research Questions:
1. What issues might arise in poorly designed working environments?
2. What are the benefits of an ergonomically built office both to the
employee and the company?
3. How can we insure optimal comfort for our employees?

Ergonomic Issues
An office job is a sedentary type of job, meaning that it utilizes little to no
motion throughout the day. The employee is simply required to sit on a piece
of furniture for several hours a day staring at a computer monitor in a
possibly awkward posture. By the sounds of that, it does not seem to be very
pleasant. It isnt. Lack of motion and body exercise can truly cause
significant damage on the overall body. However, the most common issue
happens to be back pain.2 Ergonomically speaking, there are two ways an
employee can develop and sustain a back injury while working. 3 These issues
arise from either Non-accidental injuries or Accidental injuries.
The first topic, non-accidental injuries happen when pain tends to occur while
simply attempting to fulfill normal tasks requested by the management
which in our case is sustaining ones posture while remaining seated at a
desk and working on a computer for a long period of time. 4 There are various
corresponding situations that cause these types of issues. The most
2 Selby, Nancy C., and John J. Triano. "Ergonomics of the Office and Workplace: An
Overview." Spine-health. Spine-health. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://www.spinehealth.com/wellness/ergonomics/ergonomics-office-and-workplace-overview>.
3 Ibid
4

commonly referred to are poor body mechanics, prolonged activity, repetitive

motions, and finally fatigue.5 Poor body mechanics plays a major role since it
makes reference to having a poor posture such as slouching or bending the
neck which can cause severe damage to the muscles and tensions due to the
stress that has been inflicted on that particular area. Prolonged activity
simply means performing a certain type of task for a very long period of time
without any rest which can similarly create stress to particular parts of the
body causing damage. Repetitive motion also builds upon the same concept.
Having to move a particular type of muscle in a repetitive pattern may cause
damage overtime. Finally, fatigue basically means that the exhaustion of the
body and the employee which is the root of preventing comfort causing pain.
The second topic, accidental damage which opposes the first topic refers to
an event that simply triggers an injury to occur unexpectedly while
performing a requested task.6 These accidents may occur when an employee
is working in an unorganized environment or is perhaps unaware of his/her
surroundings. Actions such as hitting a certain object at an increased velocity
or slipping and falling tend to be very common in a workplace such as the
office.7 These accidents can cause immediate injuries to the employee
leaving him/her with a strained neck, back, and other joints and muscles
throughout the body.8
Without a doubt, back injuries arent the only type of injuries that can occur
in an ergonomically incorrect workplace. The musculoskeletal system in the
body can take some damage as well. The musculoskeletal system consists of
bones, joints, muscles, tendons, as well as ligaments which help you achieve
motion as well as support your body. 9 The most common musculoskeletal
problems that occur due to incorrect ergonomic environments are bursitis,
4 Ibid
5 Ibid
6 Ibid
7Selby, Nancy C., and John J. Triano. "Ergonomics of the Office and Workplace: An
Overview." Spine-health. Spine-health. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://www.spinehealth.com/wellness/ergonomics/ergonomics-office-and-workplace-overview>.
8 Ibid
9 WebMD. "Office Ergonomics-Common Office Injuries." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 31
Jan. 2016. <http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/tc/office-ergonomicscommon-office-injuries?page=NaN>.
5

carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle strains, as well as tendon injury. 10 Bursitis

are small sacs of fluid that develop and cushions a body part such as the
wrist when its tissues rub against one another at a continuous rate. 11 This
often happens due to the application of repeated activities on a certain area
for a long period of time. On the other hand, the carpal tunnel syndrome is
an issue isolated within the nerves in the wrist. 12 It occurs when an extensive
amount of pressure is applied on the wrist or hand and is being overused. 13
Muscle strains however are simply caused by overstretching a certain muscle
in the body.14 The muscle in that area is simply torn and can be either minor
or severe depending on the root of the problem. 15 Finally, tendon injuries
occur when the fibres that connect the muscle to the bone have been
severely injured.16
When we think and discuss about ergonomic issues in the office, physical
injuries are most likely to be brainstormed in our minds. However, a poorly
designed working environment can trigger psychological issues that can
result with an employees lack of efficiency. For instance, research shows
that when we are put under stressful situations, certain muscles in our body
become tense which in return gives us the inability to develop proper posture
in the office.17 Thus, not only is stress a psychological issue but it also tends
to cause common physical issues as well. There are three factors that fall
10 Ibid
11 WebMD. "Bursitis." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/bursitis>.
12 WebMD. "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-8276>.
13 Ibid
14 WebMD. "Muscle Strain." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/muscle-strain>.
15 Ibid
16 WebMD. "Tendon Injury (Tendinopathy)." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/tendon-injuries-tendinopathy>.
17 Workers' Compensation Board - Alberta. WCB Office Ergonomics: Remembering
the Basics. Edmonton: Workers' Compensation Board - Alberta, 1999. Workers'
Compensation Board - Alberta, 2007. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<https://www.wcb.ab.ca/pdfs/public/office_ergo.pdf>.
6

under stress. Cognitive effort, social interaction, and organization. Cognitive

effort refers to when an employee is simply overloaded with tasks to the
point where they do not have the mind set of completing what is required by
the company. They feel like they do not have the time or resources required
to perform their tasks thus increasing the levels of stress which effects them
both physically and mentally. 18 Social interaction deals with how well an
employee is capable of interacting with his/her co-workers in the office. Lack
of social skills can result in not knowing what to do and not being able to
complete required tasks with specific co-workers which can stress employees
as well.19 Finally organization can cause a lot of stress to an employee.
Having a variety of shifts and an unorganized schedule can impact an
employees health resulting in poor habits which can cause stress in the
workplace.

Benefits of Ergonomic Office

We now acknowledge the extensive amount of issues that can arise due to a
poorly designed workspace. However, how can solving these issues and
having an ergonomically designed office impact both the employees and the
company? To start things off, one in every 68 Canadian employee was injured
performing a work-related task in the year of 2010 and got workers
compensation.20 In fact, it has been systematically proven that it is cheaper
for a company to attempt to reduce ergonomic risk factors in their workplace
than to fund an employees compensation which covers both their monthly
wages as well as their medical benefits. 21 Thus, not only does ergonomics in
the office make the lives of the employees better, but it also reduces costs
on the company as a whole while still having functioning and healthy
18 Workers' Compensation Board - Alberta. WCB Office Ergonomics: Remembering
the Basics. Edmonton: Workers' Compensation Board - Alberta, 1999. Workers'
Compensation Board - Alberta, 2007. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<https://www.wcb.ab.ca/pdfs/public/office_ergo.pdf>.
19 Ibid
20 Employment and Social Development Canada. "Work - Work-related Injuries."
Indicators of Well-being in Canada. Employment and Social Development Canada.
Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://well-being.esdc.gc.ca/misme-iowb/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?
iid=20>.
21 Middlesworth, Mike. "5 Proven Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace."
Ergonomics Plus. Ergonomics Plus, 21 Mar. 2013. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://ergoplus.com/workplace-ergonomics-benefits/>.
7

employees. In addition, having an ergonomically designed workplace can

improve an employees productivity. For instance, if we reduce awkward
positions in the office, employees will be able to save a lot of time on a given
task since they can be fully focused when working. Not only will the postures,
motions, and psychological state of an employee affect the quality of work,
but it also affects the quality of the work outcome. 22 Having employees work
in a poorly designed office often leads to having exhausted and inefficient
workers. By allowing the job to adapt to the employees in terms of postures,
heights, and workload, we can see a rise in the level of quality in the
company.23 Ergonomics can also improve the employees perspective on the
company which in return can further improve their work quality as they value
the company more. When employees notice that the company is putting
money and effort to ensure their safety as they work, it can increase an
employees engagement and involvement in the company which is overall
very beneficial.24 Ergonomics can also give our company a positive
reputation for the public to view and analyze. Guaranteeing the fact that the
public acknowledges that our companys main priority is the safety of our
employees will lead to better support from the public as well as good
advertisements.25 Overall, ergonomics will ensure that direct and indirect
costs will be avoided and reduced when it comes to our company.

Insurance of Ergonomic Environment

So far, we have learned about the various ergonomic issues that may arise
due to poorly designed working environments which have both a physical
and mental impact on an employee. We also learned about the great benefits
of providing an ergonomic environment to the employees. However, how can
we achieve this? How can we insure an excellent working environment for
our employees? Workspace consists of five major factors. Daylighting,
electric lighting, indoor environment quality, temperature, and acoustics.
Having natural daylight in the office can significantly increase the level of
productivity of the employees. When exposed to sunlight, our body and mind
22 Ibid
23 Ibid
24Ibid
25 Middlesworth, Mike. "5 Proven Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace."
Ergonomics Plus. Ergonomics Plus, 21 Mar. 2013. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://ergoplus.com/workplace-ergonomics-benefits/>.
8

becomes aware that it is still daytime, thus we stop releasing the hormones
that put our bodies at rest allowing the employees to feel more active.
Providing the workplace with large windows that permits the entry of sunlight
as well as give the employees a view of nature can be very beneficial. Also,
natural daylight can cut down on electricity costs since we can integrate
both, to optimize and control the amount of light in the office. 26 Balancing the
amount of light in the office and having individual control over a certain area
will allow employees to change the lighting of their own area under certain
circumstances.27
Working in an office simply requires an employee to sit on a piece of
furniture and stare at a monitor for several hours, thus it is very important
for us as a company to consider the furniture we are providing to our
employees. When purchasing furniture, we must acknowledge that it must be
ergonomically designed to fit the requirements of an office type
environment, not for other tasks. The ergonomically designed furniture must
be able to reinforce the use of good posture, body mechanics, as well as
work techniques for the specific types of tasks the employee is required to
fulfill.28 The furniture must of course be adjustable to the employees comfort
which includes height of the seats and desks. A good environment comes
equipped with a systematic workspace layout to reduce collision and
disorganization as well as good quality ventilation to ensure the comfort of
our employees.29 Speaking of ventilation, as a company we must certify the
fact that all parts of the workspace is receiving equal amount of air flow and
ventilation.30 Providing individual control over the air ventilation system in
each workstation will ensure that our employees are working under
comfortable temperatures no matter what preferences they may have. 31 We
26 WBDG Productive Committee. "Provide Comfortable Environments." Provide
Comfortable Environments. WBDG, 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<https://www.wbdg.org/design/provide_comfort.php>.
27 Ibid
28 Ibid
29 Ibid
30 Ibid
31 WBDG Productive Committee. "Provide Comfortable Environments." Provide
Comfortable Environments. WBDG, 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<https://www.wbdg.org/design/provide_comfort.php>.
9

must finally make sure that the placement of the ventilation systems
throughout the office to avoid areas covered by sunlight.32
Similar to the importance of natural daylight, it is very necessary to ensure
that the workspace environment is acoustic. Reducing sound in a workplace
can be easily done by installing sound absorbing materials which will act like
cancellers to the noises.33 We must also make sure that no sound from
outside the office can be heard by the workers and cause any distraction.
This can be guaranteed by installing high sound transmission walls between
high noise areas whether it is inside or outside the office. 34 Our employees
must be focused to achieve a productive state of mind. The idea of moving a
certain group that requires a lot of focus from the main work area to a more
quiet and pleasant surrounding is possible to ensure that they are capable of
discussing and planning in comfort and peace. Making sure that background
noises from the offices machines such as the air ventilation systems or
printers and computers is minimized for optimal contentment of the
employees.

Existing Solutions
Ergonomic Chair
Providing our employees with ergonomically designed chairs can truly impact
their working lifestyle. As I previously mentioned, our team of software
developers are required to sit on a piece of furniture for several hours a day,
thus we must ensure optimal comfort when they are doing so. This is exactly
what an ergonomic chair is designed to accomplish. Usually incorrect
postures occur because people tend to adapt to the furniture that they are
sitting on. Instead, an ergonomic chair simply adapts to the employees
natural posture. Ergonomic chairs come with a headrest and back rest to
assist your posture while staying seated comfortably. 35 These simple
adjustments can truly benefit an employees posture. Thanks to its extensive
options to customize each setting individually, it can be formed in any
desired way making it much more comfortable than regular chairs we see at
32 Ibid
33 Ibid
34 Ibid
10

offices today.36 In addition, its efficient headrest can easily support the
employees head and neck when looking at a computer monitor which
overall reduces neck problems that develop due to ergonomic issues. 37 I
previously mentioned that the most common type of issue that arises in an
office is back pain. Well, an ergonomic chair is designed to support the
natural curve of the employees spine which prevents him/her from keeping
an awkward position while working for a long period of time. 38 Overall, an
ergonomic chair excels at being a comfortable piece of furniture that
successfully fits the needs of my employees offering optimal functionality.
Ergonomic chairs are typically available everywhere and have a price range
depending on the desired quality of $300 to $800.

Stand Up Desk
There are various different types of desks that claim to be ergonomically
designed, however one has truly caught my attention. It is referred to as the
Standing Desk. From the name itself, you can probably already image what
to expect. As the name suggest, it is simply an ordinary desk set at a height
compatible with someone in a standing position, not seated. According to
recent studies, standing more throughout the day can possibly reduce any
risks of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, as well as cancer. 39
However, after reading a lot about this type of desk, some people
complained about having to experience leg and back pain while standing for
long periods of time despite the great benefits. This desk obviously may not
35 Rupavate, Shraddha. "6 Health Benefits of Ergonomic Chairs at Work." The
Health Site. The Health Site, 25 Apr. 2014. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/6-health-benefits-of-ergonomicchairs-at-work/>.
36 Ibid
37 Rupavate, Shraddha. "6 Health Benefits of Ergonomic Chairs at Work." The
Health Site. The Health Site, 25 Apr. 2014. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/6-health-benefits-of-ergonomicchairs-at-work/>.
38 Ibid
39 Stromberg, Joseph. "Five Health Benefits of Standing Desks." Smithsonian.
Smithsonian, 26 Mar. 2014. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/five-health-benefits-standingdesks-180950259/?no-ist>.
11

suit everybodys needs thus the company Ikea has come up with a great
innovative desk that has the functionality of a two in one. It could be
adjusted to a seating level or a standing level according to what the
employee desires. As a company, we will still recommend our employees to
utilize the standing level for at least one hour a day as sitting for too long
can cause those risks that we mentioned previously. The desk that I
mentioned is sold by Ikea for around $600.

Adjustable Computer Desk

In the previous paragraph, we discussed one type of desk called the standing
desk, however if our employees are not satisfied with a decision to
incorporate the ergonomically designed desk to be used in the office, there
are other alternatives. The adjustable computer desk has the same concept
as an ergonomic chair when compared to a regular office chair. These types
of desks simply offer many individually customizable features that may suit
an employees needs in any way they desire. With the use of an adjustable
computer desk, employees can adjust the piece of furniture to be able to
easily accomplish a good posture throughout the day without paying too
much attention to their posture as it adapts to the employees body with
success. Not only do they have great physical benefits on an employees
body, but in return it improves their mental alertness. 40 Similar to the
Standing Desk, it does a great job at reducing cancer by 30%, cardiovascular
disease by 46%, and overall decreases stress on the back and neck that
causes severe pain.41 Thus, it is not required to use a Standing Desk if found
uncomfortable as they both have very similar benefits if used in a correct
manner. Overall, the supported posture simply puts less strain and tension
on the spine that is usually stored in the shoulders and neck as well. 42 Ikea
also offers good quality adjustable desks that have a price range of around
$200 to $700.

Adjustable Monitor Stand

40 MultiTable. "Adjustable Computer Desks: The Ergonomic Benefits." Adjustable
Computer Desks: The Ergonomic Benefits. MultiTable. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://multitable.com/adjustable-computer-desks-the-ergonomic-benefits/>.
41 Ibid
42Ibid
12

Having a good posture does not always refer to the way you sit, but also the
way you utilize objects in the workplace. Using a monitor can cause a lot of
issues. Not only can it be harmful if it has been setup in a bad angle and
height but the screen can cause eye irritation which will be discussed upon
later. Having a monitor set up at the right angle and height can make a huge
difference. No longer will there be stress put on the shoulder and neck
muscles but it will also improve the employees posture as there will be no
requirement to lean forward and slouch. Software developers spend most of
their time on the computers and that is why this is a very essential product
that contributes to the overall comfort of our employees. Monitor stands can
be purchased from any technology store such as Best Buy. Usually, software
developers choose to work using two monitors or more since it gives them
the ability to view more of what they are working on. Several programs must
be open at the same time which requires a lot tabs and overall screen space.
A good quality stand that supports the use of two monitors instead of just
one is offered for around $45 which is fairly decent when compared to how it
benefits my employees in terms of comfort and productivity.

F.lux Computer Program

As I mentioned in the previous paragraph, I stated that my software
developers tend to utilize two computer monitors instead of one. I am certain
that we are all aware of the blue glow a screen emits when in use. Well, this
blue glow is what causes the release of hormones that keep us alert and
awake which in turn does not allow our bodies to fall asleep. This is not
always necessarily beneficial. Overtime, receiving too much exposure to
artificial blue light can cause a reduction in the clarity and sharpness of the
eye.43 In fact, research suggests that Digital eyestrain can have the effect of
difficulty focusing, having a blurry vision, irritated eyes, as well as
headaches, back pain, and neck pain which simply impacts the productivity
of an employee rather than keeping them artificially alert. 44 It is the most
reoccurring computer complaint office workers have. 45 This is exactly what
43 Toc Toc Communications. "Blue Light Exposed." Blue Light Exposed. Toc Toc
Communications. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.bluelightexposed.com/#bluelightexposed>.
44 Toc Toc Communications. "Blue Light Exposed." Blue Light Exposed. Toc Toc
Communications. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.bluelightexposed.com/#bluelightexposed>.
45 Ibid
13

the program F.lux is designed to accomplish. F.lux is an absolutely free of

charge software that synchronizes with the clock to apply the effect of the
Sun on a regular monitor. When the time is past sunset, the screen
automatically decreases the release blue lighting to the point where the
screen has the same lighting as the room you are in. This is surprisingly
soothing to the eyes at night from personal experience. A program such as
F.lux can be installed on any desired computer from their website free of
charge. It is an amazing software program that applies small change to the
screen to eliminate the many dangers of the digital age.

Ergonomic Split Keyboard

A keyboard is an essential component of a computer and without a good one,
the experience is dramatically impacted. Typing for long periods of time on a
poorly designed keyboard can cause serious issues such as tension on the
fingers and wrist muscles. When typing on a regular keyboard, employees
are required to unnaturally attempt to keep a comfortable position and end
up straining their wrists and hands. 46 An ergonomic keyboard is simply
designed to allow the employees to have a naturally positioned wrist and
hand on the keyboard.47 Instead of adapting to the way the keyboard is built,
an ergonomic split keyboard is manufactured to adapt to the ways your
hands are positioned naturally. This way, we can assure that our employees
have their fingers, hands, and wrist positioned in a comfortable manner.
Sometimes, bad typing habits can result in what is called a Carpel Tunnel
syndrome which leaves your wrists numb and swollen and eventually limits
an employees typing abilities.48 Microsoft themselves design excellent split
keyboards such as the Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop that comes equipped with
a number pad and retails for around $130.

Ergonomic Mouse
Similar to a keyboard, a mouse is also as important of a component. Without
an ergonomically designed mouse, issues may get out of hand as many will
46 Ergonomics-Info. "Ergonomic Split Keyboard Benefits." Ergonomic Split Keyboard
Benefits. Ergonomics-Info. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://www.ergonomicsinfo.com/ergonomic-split-keyboard.html>.
47 Ibid
48 Ibid
14

arise overtime. Using a regular mouse can also cause Carpel Tunnel
syndrome similar to using a poorly designed keyboard. Employees could end
up with numb and swollen wrists. People quite often tend to purchase a
mouse that is too small for their hands which may cause muscle strain as
well as fatigue.49 Not a lot of people recognize their error as they pay
absolutely no attention to such factors. When people utilize a mouse with
various design flaws, they tend to twist their arms without acknowledging
it.50 In other words, they are simply adapting to the mouse rather than
having the mouse properly adapt to their hand. This is what ergonomic
mouse are designed to fulfill. One thing that ergonomic mice happen to excel
at is the fact that they offer a more natural grip to the user without causing
any strain or tension on the wrist and arm. 51 In addition, they come in
different sizes to fit each persons needs for an overall more comfortable
hand support experience.52 An excellent example of a good ergonomic
mouse can be found at Logitech. The wireless trackball M570 is a great
model offered at around $70.

Ergonomic Keyboard Tray

If you have not notice by now, I tend to focus quite extensively on ergonomic
issues that relate to a computer. The reason behind such is that the
employees that we are focusing on have a profession that utilizes computers
for the majority of their time. The final product that still relates to computing
is an ergonomic keyboard tray. An ergonomic keyboard tray is designed to
decrease the risks of musculoskeletal disorders that I have previously
mentioned in several occasions.53 Just like an ergonomic chair, this keyboard
49 Ergonomics-Info. "What Is an Ergonomic Mouse? Benefits of an Ergonomic
Computer Mouse." What Is an Ergonomic Mouse? Benefits of an Ergonomic
Computer Mouse. Ergonomics-Info. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://www.ergonomicsinfo.com/ergonomic-mouse.html>.
50 Ergonomics-Info. "What Is an Ergonomic Mouse? Benefits of an Ergonomic
Computer Mouse." What Is an Ergonomic Mouse? Benefits of an Ergonomic
Computer Mouse. Ergonomics-Info. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://www.ergonomicsinfo.com/ergonomic-mouse.html>.
51 Ibid
52 Ergonomics-Info. "Ergonomic Keyboard Tray." Ergonomic Keyboard Tray.
Ergonomics-Info. Web. 31 Jan. 2016. <http://www.ergonomics-info.com/ergonomickeyboard-tray.html>.
53 Ibid
15

tray has many customizable features as well that can truly differentiate your
experience. When we try to have a good posture while using the keyboard,
we always hear about the need to have our arms at 90 degrees. Well, with
the ability to adjust the trays height at any desired time, my employees can
comfortably sustain a good posture without any second thoughts. In addition,
tilting the keyboard tray itself means that the keyboard can be positioned at
any desired angle. This ensures that the employees have a natural wrist
position while completing requested tasks.54 Also, with this feature, we can
make sure that employees are in the neutral reach zone at all times. 55 An
ergonomic keyboard tray almost always has a mouse house on both the left
and right side. Not only is this excellent for people who are left handed or
right handed, but this also encourages the idea of switching mouse places
from time to time since research suggests that muscles will not be worn out
when switching occasionally.56 The stability that it offers happens to minimize
tension on the employees arms, shoulders, and neck since they have the
ability to comfortably rest their hands on the tray while working. 57 Ergonomic
keyboard trays are typically offered at any technology store such as Best Buy
and can be purchased for a price ranging from approximately $90 to $250
depending on the overall quality of the product.

Desk Lamp
Despite having a well-lit office, being equipped with a desk lamp can improve
the working experience of an employee exponentially. Even though software
developers spend most of their time on a computer desk, there will be some
tasks that might require them to write or read. This is where a desk lamp
comes in. A great feature regarding a desk lamp is the fact that they are
portable and can be moved to any desired location on the desk. So, wherever
more light concentration is necessary, an employee can simply achieve that
by moving it there. Not only that, an excellent desk lamp can also prevent
eye strain when focusing on a particular object on the desk. When looking for
desk lamps, it is recommended to purchase LED lamps since they require
less electricity to function, are usually brighter, and will stay in excellent
quality for long periods of time. Staple happens to supply an outstanding LED
54 Ibid
55 Ibid
56 Ibid
57 Ibid
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desk lamp with various features such as changing the angle and much more.
These types of lamps usually sell at around $35.

Ergonomic Pen
With a good desk lamp comes a good ergonomically designed pen. Now this
may sound rather silly, however you would be surprised on how harmful
writing is for long periods of time. Writing can be responsible for various
medical conditions such as Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Repetitive
Strain Injury.58 Not only that, but when writing for long periods of time hand
pain, finger calluses, as well as cramps can develop. 59 Thus, it is necessary to
offer my employees the best experience when writing. An ergonomic pen can
without a doubt eliminate all these issues. Its excellent gripping system
decreases tension placed on the muscles, nerves, and soft tissues of the
wrist and hand.60 The ergonomic grip makes writing easy as well as
comfortable for my employees. These types of pens can be purchased from a
stationary store such as Staples and are offered for purchase anywhere from
as cheap as $2 to $25 depending on the desired quality.

Design Brief
Structure of Ergonomic Office
In conclusion, we have expanded our knowledge about the various
ergonomic issues that may arise due to poorly designed working
environments which have both a physical and mental impact on an
employee. Throughout my research, I learned that every workspace consists
of five major factors that must be taken into consideration. Daylighting,
electric lighting, indoor environment quality, temperature, and acoustics.
Having natural daylight in the office can significantly increase the level of
productivity of the employees. Similar to what I previously mentioned, when
exposed to sunlight, our body and mind becomes aware that it is still
daytime, thus we stop releasing the hormones that put our bodies at rest
58 The Writing Pen Store. "Ergonomic Pens and Pencils." Ergonomic Pens and
Pencils. The Writing Pen Store. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.thewritingpenstore.com/c-104-ergonomic-pens-and-pencils.aspx>.
59 Ibid
60 Ibid
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allowing the employees to feel more active. As a company, we will ensure

that our offices will have large windows which will permit the entry of
sunlight as well as providing our employees with a view of nature which can
be very beneficial. Also, natural daylight can cut down on electricity costs
since we can integrate both natural and artificial lighting to optimize and
control the amount of light in the office. Balancing the amount of light in the
office and having individual control over certain workstations will allow
employees to change the lighting of their own area whenever they desire.
Working in an office simply requires an employee to sit on a piece of
furniture and stare at a monitor for several hours, thus it is very important
for us as a company to consider the furniture we are providing to our
employees. When purchasing furniture, we must acknowledge that it must be
ergonomically designed to fit the requirements of an office type
environment, not for other tasks. After the research that we have done
regarding existing solution, we learned that any sort of ergonomically
designed furniture must be able to reinforce the use of good posture, body
mechanics, as well as work techniques for the specific types of tasks the
employee is required to fulfill. The furniture must of course be adjustable to
the employees comfort which includes height of the seats and desks. Thus,
we will offer each employee with an ergonomic chair, a two in one adjustable
desk, adjustable monitor stands, pre-installed F.lux program, a split
keyboard, an ergonomically designed mouse, an ergonomic keyboard tray, a
desk lamp, and a large supply of ergonomic pens. Furniture isnt the only
factor that makes a working environment ergonomic. The office must have a
systematic workspace layout to reduce collision and disorganization as well
as good quality ventilation to ensure the comfort of our employees. Speaking
of ventilation, as a company we must certify the fact that all parts of the
workspace is receiving equal amount of air flow and ventilation. Providing
individual control over the air ventilation system in each workstation will
ensure that our employees are working under comfortable temperatures no
matter what preferences they may have.
Similar to the importance of natural daylight, it is very necessary to ensure
that the workspace environment is acoustic. Reducing sound in a workplace
can be easily done by installing sound absorbing materials which will act like
cancellers to the noises. We must also make sure that no sound from outside
the office can be heard by the workers and cause any distraction. This can be
guaranteed by installing high sound transmission walls between high noise
areas whether it is inside or outside the office. Our employees must be
focused to achieve a productive state of mind. The idea of moving a certain
group that requires a lot of focus from the main work area to a more quiet
and pleasant surrounding is possible to ensure that they are capable of
18

discussing and planning in comfort and peace. So creating a meeting room

might become a pursued idea. Making sure that background noises from the
offices machines such as the air ventilation systems or printers and
computers are minimized for optimal contentment of the employees.

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