Over the past few decades, the average workplace has changed a great deal. Today, more and more people work in sedentary, office-based jobs, usually sitting behind a computer for hour after hour each day. Office workers don’t face the physical demands and dangers of manual workers, but those cumulative hours behind the desk hold their own risks. What dangers could your employees be facing from a life in the office, and could our range of ergonomic office furniture help?

While the average office job may seem like a pretty harmless, risk-free career choice, there are in fact many health risks associated with life behind a desk. Back and muscle complaints can be exacerbated through poor posture brought on by uncomfortable desks and office chairs, while repetitive strain injury is common amongst typists and others who work with keyboards on a regular basis. Some office workers even suffer from computer eyestrain; all of these complaints could result in a prolonged period on the sidelines for your staff.

Aside from the various health risks associated with office work, the productivity of your employees is intrinsically tied to comfort. Human beings do not work well when they are physically uncomfortable or stressed in any way, so you may find that uncomfortable office chairs or impractical desks are hindering the productivity of your staff. The more uncomfortable your employees are, the more they’ll fidget and the less they’ll achieve, so investing in high-quality office furniture can help to improve work rates as well as decrease instances of annual sick leave.

Today, quality office furniture is designed based on the principle of anthropometry. Anthropometry means, quite simply, ‘human measurements,’ and the study takes into account the dimensions of the average human being and the contours of one’s body in order to create products that are safer and more practical than before. By taking into account weight distribution, the positioning of joints and one’s eyeline, anthropometry helps to alleviate many of the problems associated with office work.

You may have heard people refer to ‘ergonomics’ before. Ergonomics is the practical application of the study of anthropometry, so designers take the science behind human measurement and use it to create practical items suitable for your office. In its most basic form, ergonomics can be seen in an office chair designed to provide lumbar support for one’s back and featuring adjustable height to ensure correct posture at all times. In a more complex guise, however, ergonomics can be applied to your entire office, from the angle of your computer screens to the positioning of your desks and the shape of your keyboards.

The application of ergonomic design throughout your office can help to maintain the health of your employees and improve concentration, resulting in a happier, more productive workplace. Why not take a look at our furniture solutions to see how you can improve your office space in future?

March 14th 2014 | Back to Industry Insights