Everything You Need to Know About Ergonomics 101

What Does Ergonomics Mean?

To define ergonomics, we first turn to the word’s Greek roots: ergon (work) and nomos (customs). The literal definition of ergonomics is “the study of people’s customs in their working environment.”

In practice, ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their work environments, including the tools they use to perform tasks. The definition of ergonomics involves how to design work environments with safety, efficiency, and comfort in mind.

There’s a common misconception that ergonomics only relates to office chairs. However, in reality, the answer to “What’s ergonomics?” involves much more than just furniture and extends to industrial equipment, healthcare tools, digital systems, and other related areas.

What Is the Goal of Ergonomics?

Another common question is “What is the goal of ergonomics?”

One of the primary purposes of ergonomics is to support human health and performance by preventing injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and back pain. Another goal is to enhance people’s level of comfort while they work and reduce fatigue, allowing them to complete everyday tasks without discomfort.

As a result of these goals, ergonomics boosts people’s productivity, efficiency, and job satisfaction so they can thrive in their professional roles. When employers and organizations adopt the principles of ergonomics, they reap the benefits of happier, healthier employees with fewer injuries and sick days, as well as higher morale.

Why Ergonomics Matter

If you ignore ergonomics or diminish its importance in the modern workplace, you are likely to encounter increased health problems like repetitive strain injuries and back pain. However, if you pay attention to ergonomics and learn about ergonomic principles, your business will benefit from a healthier and more productive workforce, with fewer lost workdays and a stronger overall output.

Today, ergonomics has become more critical than ever before, as many people work remotely from home or have hybrid arrangements with their employers. People working in industrial plants and healthcare environments also benefit from ergonomics due to the high potential for strain and stress associated with these jobs.

Principles of Ergonomics 101

Now that you understand the answer to “What is ergonomics?”, let’s explore the core ergonomics principles in more detail:

• Maintain a neutral posture with your spine, shoulders, and wrists aligned
• Ensure your tools and materials are within reach to avoid painful twisting or stretching
• Adjust your setup to the proper height to match your body’s unique size
• Alternate tasks when possible to reduce repetitive and sustained motions
• Take breaks and step away from your workstation for occasional and necessary resets
• Improve your lighting and environment to prevent eye strain and improve focus

How Ergonomics Training Helps

Understanding “What’s ergonomics?” is just the beginning, as the next important step is to incorporate it into your daily routines.

Ergonomics training is essential to help employers and employees recognize common risk factors in their environments. Armed with this knowledge, you can adjust individuals’ workstations and tasks to suit their needs better. Over time, this work will help build safe and efficient habits among employees to reduce strain and prevent injuries.

We offer both one-on-one guidance and group training sessions to help bridge the gap between ergonomics theory and real-world application.

Ergonomics 101 Training with Postured Ergonomics

Postured Ergonomics offers Ergonomics 101 training led by professionals experienced in evidence-based solutions tailored to any office, home, hybrid, industrial, or healthcare environment.

Rather than just focusing on an awareness of ergonomics, our interactive approach leads to real change customized for how and where you work. After working with Postured Ergonomics, you’ll fully understand what is ergonomics and how to apply it in your daily work routines.