FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 21, 2015) -- The modern day workforce, or "occupational athletes," can be viewed as the backbone of the working class. As such, special measures should be taken to keep the workers healthy and to prevent as many future problems as possible.
Ergonomics is the science of adapting workplace conditions and job demands to the capability of the worker. The goal of ergonomics is to reduce musculoskeletal disorders, stress and eliminate injuries associated with poor posture by incorporating some basic principles from physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, as well as a host of other disciplines.
Proper ergonomics has significant short-term and long-term benefits for the employee and employer.
For the employee, self-education will extend the health of their own physical body well into retirement and cut down on health care costs over time. Taking care of your body means getting more out of it as you live so you can do more things with your loved ones.
For the employer, proper ergonomics will cut down on health care costs paid by the employers and increase employee productivity. According to a 2011 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 33 percent of all work injury and illness cases.
An example of good ergonomic practice would be raising a surface for someone who is too tall currently using it, or getting a step stool for a person too short to use exact same surface. The very principle lies in accommodating the workplace to the individual, not the other way around.
In a more common setting where majority of workers spend their time sitting at a desk and looking at a computer screen, many modifications can be made to the workstation to improve the experience. As seen in the illustration, this ergonomically correct position places the least amount of stress on the body. The spine and neck are relaxed and neutral to one another, about 1.5 feet to 2 feet away from the computer monitor. The elbows are flexed at 90 degrees and parallel to the floor. Arguably the most important thing of all is the back posture. Notice how there is lumbar support for the lower back and the seat is at 90 degrees. Studies show that an angle of 90-110 degrees when sitting progressively unloads the spine, lessening the disk pressure almost equal to that as when standing. If nothing else, this alone will work wonders on posture and protecting the integrity of the back over the years to come so our nation's occupational athletes can be world's best.
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