Analyzing ERGONOMICS OF MY WORKPLACE

Analyzing ergonomics of my workplaceAbhinav Khera

Analyzing ERGONOMICS OF MY WORKPLACE

Table of contents Page numberItem

1Table Of contents

2Executive Summary

3Introduction

3Description of my workstation

4Analysis of my workstation

6Conclusion

7Rating of my workstation

8Works cited

Executive summary

My mission is to analyze ergonomics of my workstation. I analyzed my workstation using five parameters, which are, furniture, hardware, environment, visibility and video display terminal distance. I rated my workstation using these five criterias and got rating of 4.4/10. The major problems in my workstation were; Chair was short and did not have a comfortable backrest. My workstation did not have a mouse or a keyboard. It had unorganized stationary, a very bright table cover and external disturbances such as piano. Lighting in the area was inadequate. The video display terminal distance was about 19 inches.I have suggested ways to overcome these problems.I will buy an ergonomically suitable chair, wireless mouse, keyboard, light colored table cover. I will organize my stationary and remove the piano. I will move my laptop monitor 30 inches away from me and have uniformly distributed light of 300 to 500 lux. Now, with the changes I will increase my productivity by using an ergonomically suitable workstation.

IntroductionErgonomics draws the line between effective and inefficient workstation. According to English Oxford Dictionary, ergonomics is the study ofpeoplesefficiency in theirworking environment. The reason why every successful company has an ergonomic manager is simple; they understand the importance of ergonomics. Ergonomics helps keep the employee comfortable and thus increases the productivity of employees. Even though it might cost more to have an ergonomic workstation, your workstation will be much more productive, safe and fun. If you do not have an ergonomic workstation, do not be surprised if you suffer from musculoskeletal injuries. Hence, it is necessary to have an ergonomically suitable workstation. This purpose of the report is to analyze my workstation, rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 and suggest improvements.Description of my workstationMy workstation is located on the right side of my room. There is a window on the left side of room and behind my workstation is the door. The light is in the middle of the room. There is a wide desk with flashy yellow colored cover. On the desk, I have my laptop, my bag and other stationaries. I have a printer in my room just beside my table. In front of table, there is a short yellow chair. On the right, there is a piano. In addition, on the left side is my bed, where I can go and rest when I am tired. What could be wrong about the workstation? Well, you will find out.

Analysis of my workstation(Pros, Cons & suggested Improvements)Furniture Furniture is the base of a workstation. So let us start with furniture first.I am going to start with the chair as we start our work after sitting on the chair. Things advocated for best results in chairs are that its height should be adjustable. The backseat should be comfortable. It is best to have a rounded Seat pan. Moreover, armrest is necessary. My workstation has a chair, which is short with un-adjustable height. It does not have an armrest or comfortable backrest. This means my chair is not ergonomically suitable. Therefore, I will buy an ergonomically well chair.After the chair comes the desk. Desk should have adjustable height. Desk should be wide and you should sit in the middle. Desk should have paper and stationary holders for organization. Desk should have Medium to light colored surface. My desk is wide and has good height. However, it does not have adjustable height & paper holder. The table color is flashy golden color. Therefore, I will have to make certain adjustments in form of, buying a paper holder and light colored table cover. HardwareNow let us discuss about ergonomically suitable hardware.First, let us start at monitor. It should be 30 inches away from the user. You need to make sure that monitor is at the eye level of the users. It is best to use adjustable height monitors. If they are not available then the height of the chair/desk needs adjustment. In my workstation, I use a laptop whose monitor is about 19 inches away from me. The monitor is at my eye level when I sit. I just need to move my laptop so that the monitor is 30 inches away from me.

Next comes the mouse. Even when using a laptop, you should use a mouse. Wireless mouse provide the best experience. While buying the mouse, make sure that it is comfortable to use and has the appropriate size and shape. Using mouse gently will prevent musculoskeletal injuries. It is best to keep your wrist in a straight or neutral position while using a mouse. In my workstation I use a laptop without a mouse. Not using mouse with laptop is a common mistake that is ergonomically inappropriate. To avoid this problem, I will buy a wireless mouse which is comfortable to use.

Next I will concentrate on the input device, keyboard. We use keyboard to input information all the time. Nevertheless, do you know that choosing a wrong keyboard could lead to musculoskeletal injuries? Keyboards should be at the right height to prevent wrist from bending. They should have a forearm rest. In my workstation, I do not use a keyboard, as I have a laptop. It is again ergonomically wrong. Hence, I will buy an ergonomically good keyboard to tackle this problem.

EnvironmentAn ergonomically well environment is necessary. We feel comfortable when things are organized. It is best to have neutral colors. It should have adequate space and have no external distraction. Throughout our life, we have learned the importance of organization. Well our workstation also needs to be organized. Bright surroundings can be distracting while working, so avoid them. Your workstation should have adequate space. Lastly, avoid external distractions, such as piano or phone. My workstation is unorganized, has bright colored table cover and a piano as an external distraction. That is why my workstation does not have an ergonomic environment. I will organize my room in a proper way. I will remove the piano and change the table cover.LightingNext comes the lighting in the room. Usage of uniform light which does should not result in glare is best. Light should not be too bright or too dull. Area lighting levels from 300 to 500 lux are often best, but in the end, it depends on the user. In my workstation, the lighting is not adequate. So I will see make sure to get a good light in 300 to 500 lux which has uniform distribution.

ConclusionMy workstation had some common ergonomic troubles like most workstations. I rated my workstation on five parameters, which are, furniture, hardware, environment, visibility and video display terminal distance. I found the rating to be 4.4/10. However, it is essential to fix them. I will buy an ergonomically suitable chair, paper holder and light colored table cover to make my furniture ergonomically suitable. For hardware, I need to move my laptop so that the monitor is 30 inches away from me, buy an ergonomically good keyboard and a wireless mouse, which is comfortable to use. I will have uniformly distributed light of 300 to 500 lux. To make the environment ergonomically suitable, I will organize my room in a proper way. I will remove the piano and change the table cover. Now, with the changes I will increase my productivity by using an ergonomically suitable workstation. Rating of my workstation

ItemRanking(Out Of 5)Reason(s) for RankingWays to update the item

FurnitureChair is short and does not have a comfortable backrest.Get a more comfortable chair, which is tall and has a comfortable backrest.

HardwareDoes not have a mouse and keyboard Get a mouse & keyboard which ergonomically better.

Environment Unorganized stationary, very bright table cover, external disturbances such as piano Keep stationary organized, have a light colored table cover & disturbances such as piano should be removed.

Lighting Reading With difficulty.Should have a table lamp behind the desk giving adequate, uniform lighting.

Video Display Terminal DistanceVideo display terminal distance falls between 10 19 inchesVideo Display Terminal Distance should be increased to 30 inches

Total4.4/10

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FurnitureNo chair or deskOnly a chair or a deskDesk + Chair with short backDesk + Chair with tall back but with no padding.Ergonomically well chair and desk.

Hardware No hardware Laptop or computer with no separate keyboard and mouseLaptop /Computer with either keyboard or mouseLaptop/Computer with both keyboard and mouse but not ergonomically compliantErgonomically suitable keyboard and mouse

EnvironmentUnorganized stationary,flashy colors, Inadequate space & external disturbancesOne of the four factors presentTwo of the four factors presentThree of the four factors presentOrganized stationary, no flashy colors, adequate space & no external disturbances

Lighting Poor lighting unable to read Reading With difficulty.Reading easily but glare present on screenReading easily with no glare present on screen but non-uniform lighting.Uniformly good lighting in work area with no glare

Video Display Terminal DistanceLess than 10 inches 10 19 inches20 24 inches25 29 inches 30 inches

WORKS CITED

"Oxford Dictionaries."Oxford Dictionaries. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. . Salvendy, Gavriel. Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics. 4th ed. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print.Web. 10 Nov. 2014. .