Ergonomics is a science that investigates and develops the natural and technological rules of human-machine-environment harmony by taking into account the biological and psychological characteristics of humans. Ergonomics is actually a Greek word meaning “labor law”.
If we look at the developments in history, we can reach the documents of Hippocrates in 400 BC, and later Leonardo da Vinci and Alfons Giovanni Borelli, the leading representatives of the Renaissance, reflecting the harmony between the human body and the surrounding tools with their deep knowledge of anatomy. However, we see with astonishment that the armchair or chair that the pharaoh would sit on in the Ancient Egyptian civilization was designed within the framework of ergonomic rules much earlier than that.
In the 1800s, we see that machines and electric power entered human life and gradually began to replace humans. At the end of World War I, ergonomics began to become a discipline. In 1957, two scientific publications called “Ergonomics” and “Human Factors” came to the fore. In 1959, the “International Ergonomics Association” was founded.
The reason for the emergence of ergonomics is to turn humans into machines.
The first studies on ergonomics were always based on economic reasons. The aim was for people to produce more as if they were keeping up with the tempo of a machine and thus make more profit. In order to achieve this goal, research was conducted on human characteristics and abilities, and all movements made during work were examined in the finest detail. In short, studies were deepened to see the human body as a machine and to make it capable of producing more.
After a while, with the understanding that the capacity of the human body was limited, the idea that it was wrong to see it as a machine began to come to the fore. A person can only do a certain amount of work in a certain period of time, and productivity decreases in those who work beyond their strength. In fact, if we tire the body even more, accidents can occur and our health can be completely damaged. When this idea began to be accepted, ergonomic life rules began to be organized in a way that would protect the human body from certain dangers and accidents. Moreover, it was aimed to transform the working environment into an environment that would make it happy. All kinds of tools and equipment necessary to provide these conditions are designed in the most suitable way for the human body. Working conditions and environmental conditions are made most suitable for people. Employees are given the opportunity to prove themselves and are instilled with the idea that they see themselves as valuable.
What is the purpose of ergonomics?
The aim of ergonomics should be to provide the best possible harmony between the worker and the job he/she does. Work efficiency will increase thanks to the harmony that emerges, along with preventing wear and tear that may occur due to excessive strain during work. In order to ensure this harmony, first of all, it is necessary to choose a job in which the person can use their abilities best and improve themselves.
Ergonomics is gaining importance both because of its effects on preventing work accidents by activating occupational health and safety measures and increasing work efficiency. It is certain that teaching people basic ergonomic principles will make a significant contribution to occupational health and safety practices.
The fact that human beings have to work on two legs and perform their duties in many different situations in their daily lives and during work causes significant stress on the posture and skeletal system. Excessive strain in many professions causes some problems due to overuse. The pain in the back of a farmer who is bent over while picking vegetables and straightens up is no longer an accident. The basic definition of an accident is trauma, death and material damage; It is used to describe unexpected, sudden and distinct events. Problems such as tingling and numbness in the hands of someone who constantly chops meat; musculoskeletal problems that occur when a nurse moves a patient from bed to a wheelchair are not defined as accidents. These are problems due to excessive strain and overuse that occur during the fulfillment of regular and previously known work requirements. As a result of ergonomics dealing with such issues, it indirectly contributes to reducing the occurrence of accidents.
The subject of ergonomics is work and its human relations. As well as all the relationships between the work done and the person doing this work, environmental factors that affect these relationships should not be ignored. The main objectives of ergonomics can be listed as follows:
- Increasing the efficiency of use of tools, equipment and mechanisms used by people
- Ensuring the human-friendly design of everything encountered in daily life that is open to human use and interaction:
- a. increased human performance
- b. to ensure human safety
- c. to protect and improve human health
- d. to ensure human happiness and satisfaction.
What sciences are related to ergonomics?
Among the main sciences that ergonomics interacts with are anatomy, physiology and psychology. The two main branches of anatomy, anthropometry and biomechanics, provide the most important contribution to the development of ergonomics. In the organization of the work environment, the design and production of seating equipment and mechanisms, working posture, and equipment design, standard measurement results provided by anthropology regarding humans are used.
Anthropometry is a branch of science that measures the human body based on certain standard points. It is based on the measurement and statistical evaluation of body size. Anthropometric measurements made on a large number of people constitute the basic data for designers of apparel, furniture, equipment and machinery in a country.
Biomechanics: It is based on the interaction of anatomical structures with environmental conditions. The anatomical structures that form the muscular and skeletal system are in question here. Muscular work, physical exercise and the interaction of the user with the tools and equipment they use are among the subjects of biomechanics. Work biomechanics deals with the mechanical properties of human tissue, especially in terms of response to mechanical stress. One of its main goals is to prevent problems due to excessive load and strain, especially in the waist and upper extremities.
Physiology: The sub-branches of physiology that examine vital events and the biological mechanisms in their formation are work and environmental physiology. Work physiology examines the mechanisms related to energy provision during work and exercise. Environmental physiology, on the other hand, deals with the effects of physical elements on humans. Among these; we can count lighting, noise and ambient temperature. Work physiology; covers the cardiovascular, pulmonary adaptation and skeletal muscle response to the metabolic requirements of a job while doing that job. Prevention of fatigue is one of the basic subjects of work physiology.
Psychology Another main branch of science on which ergonomics is based is psychology. Career selection and training, job satisfaction, individual differences are among the main areas of interest of business psychology. Quality of life is an indispensable element in all applications aimed at ensuring that the person is in a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being. The ability to succeed in a job, decision making, acquiring skills, interpreting and evaluating information, fatigue, stress caused by work tempo, mental fatigue, effects of work order, age-performance relationship and other elements affecting performance are other subjects examined within the framework of psychology.
What are the areas of application of ergonomics?
Ergonomics is actually related to every area of our lives. Everything from the toilet in our home to the bed and pillow we sleep on should be aimed to be ergonomic. If we list the places where people are, starting from work life;
- Office areas
- Industrial workplaces
- Agricultural enterprises
- Vehicles
- Schools
- Hotels
- Hospitals
- Homes
It should not be forgotten that ergonomic applications provide health and income for the worker in the workplace. However, it should also be known that ergonomics does not only serve for these incomes. It is possible to give interesting examples about ergonomics in daily life.
For example, imagine you are getting on a plane. Your knees are stuck in the space between the front seat and the seat. However, you may be surprised to see that the toilet is placed in a tiny area on the same plane. You go to a public toilet. The toilet is so high and positioned incorrectly… Not only does your back hurt, but you have difficulty getting out of there with a cry for hygiene due to splashing water and the paper holder you cannot reach, etc.
If the countertop in the kitchen is low, the cabinets are in a place that is hard to reach, and the stairs are at different heights, it will tire you more quickly.
If the seat of a car is uncomfortable, the steering wheel looks like it is going to sink, and it is difficult to reach the oil dipstick, it is certain that it will be very uncomfortable.
Maybe a very expensive pair of glasses constantly falling on the nose and hurting the ears, or a pair of shoes that do not make your feet comfortable can make life miserable.
It is possible to multiply examples such as a computer keyboard that hurts the wrists, a mobile phone that is difficult to use due to the small keys.
The body structures of the country you are in may be so different that a wonderful toilet designed to American standards can be a nightmare for the Turkish people.
Many people around us write with their left hand. A left-handed person has difficulty using many tools, from scissors to tools. At least until they get used to it. It should not be forgotten that in some developed countries, there are places that sell ergonomic products only for left-handers.
As you can see, ergonomics is a very, very large area. Is any product produced suitable for humans? Does it support human health and make life easier? This has been the sole goal of the last 20 years. For this reason, a series of designs that will make life easier for certain groups are being worked on in some areas and are being continuously developed. The most prominent among these groups are the elderly and the disabled.
So when we say ergonomics, we mean that although it sometimes varies from person to person, we are talking about the existence of a great design law that meets the common expectations of almost everyone. Machines, industrial designs, in short, all man-made products need to be checked for compatibility with humans. However, if this compatibility increases, consumer products will be of higher quality.
A wide variety of designs have been initiated in order to improve compatibility. It is natural to conduct in-depth studies on a tray that does not burn your hand when putting it in the oven, a weight balance on knives that does not tire your hand, a teapot that does not splash water when pouring, a baby stroller that does not take up space in the trunk of a car when folded, a musical instrument that does not cause discomfort to the body when used for a long time, and antibacterial shoes that do not let in water, do not make you cold, and at the same time allow air.
How should ergonomics be for office workers?
Offices are the name given to places where administrative, planning and recording work is mostly done. While typewriters were used in offices in the past, they were later replaced by computers. This long-term use has brought with it many health problems. The basis of these is repetitive movements and extremities remaining immobile for long periods of time.
An office worker who types, enters and analyzes data on a computer will feel the negative effects of repetitive movements on their fingers, wrists and elbows. At the same time, they will face health problems caused by remaining immobile for long periods of time in the neck and waist. Of course, the problems that office workers may encounter are not limited to working on a computer. Physical problems caused by working in an inappropriate posture, such as lifting heavy loads, carrying and sorting files, can also be seen in the office, albeit limited. In addition to these, computer-based living and working conditions can cause mental stress in addition to muscle strain and injuries.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Musculoskeletal system problems encountered in the office are generally called cumulative trauma disorders. The most common of these injuries are tendinitis, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Some ergonomic improvements should be made to minimize health problems seen in offices. Many people are under some physical and psychological stress due to the intense work tempo in office conditions. So, who is at risk?
- Computer users
- Those who draw plans and projects
- Computer programmers and those who constantly enter data
- Those who use office devices (especially photocopiers)
- Secretaries
These examples can be multiplied. It is not surprising that an office worker who is forced to constantly sit in a chair that lacks ergonomics in front of a desk will experience various problems in their lumbar and cervical spines and eye muscles until the evening.
What problems are seen in office workers due to poor ergonomics?
Health problems that occur as a result of poor ergonomic conditions in the office and the causes of these problems can be listed as follows:
Tendinitis in Finger and Wrist: Repetitive movements such as using the keyboard and buttons
Contact Stress: Constant contact of the wrist and forearm with the work surface or the edge of the keyboard
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Repetitive movements of the wrist in a non-anatomical position
Lower Back Pain: Heavy lifting in an unfavorable position, straining movements. Also, working continuously with the desire to earn more
Neck and Shoulder Injuries: Monitor being lower than necessary, head and neck being in a forward bending position in situations such as using bifocal glasses and lenses, making movements that will strain the spine excessively
Body Circulation Problems: Static working conditions such as using a mouse, monitor and phone
How should an ergonomic chair be?
The basis of office ergonomics is that the office seat should be ergonomic, that is, adjusted to suit the employee. The employee should also be informed about using the ergonomic chair. Ergonomic chairs should have the following features:
- The chair should have a backrest that provides lumbar support and can be adjusted both up and down and forward and backward.
- The chair backrest should support both the lower back and the shoulders and allow the person to sit comfortably upright without bending.
- The chair height should be adjustable according to the ground in order to suit the user’s height.
- The seat of the chair should have a tilt mechanism. The tilting movement transfers weight from your hips to your legs, supports normal back curvature and reduces the load on the discs in the lower part of the spine.
- The seat and back of the chair should be upholstered and covered with breathable fabric.
- The armrests of the chair should be adjustable according to the seat of the chair.
- The armrests of office chairs should be adjustable in and out to adjust according to the width of the user’s lower body. These adjustments should be independent of the seat of the chair.
- The arms should be as horizontal and as tense as possible at the sitting height.
- In order to reduce the pressure on the inner surface of the calf, care should be taken to ensure that the feet are sufficiently placed on the floor or foot pads.
- Sitting upright reduces the load on the spine by approximately 25% and prevents many back problems. For this reason, the importance of correct sitting position should be instilled in the personnel.
- There should be sufficient movement space for feet and legs during work and the reflection coefficient of the work surface should be 30-50%.
- If the work table is fixed, the height of the lower edge from the ground should be 680 mm, if it is adjustable, it should be between 640-740 mm.
- Since the viewing direction constantly changes between document – screen – table while working with a computer, 5-wheeled chairs that can rotate from the axis, have adjustable height, have armrests and are safe against tipping should be used as seating.
How should ergonomic working with a computer be?
Creating an ergonomic setup that supports your body while spending long hours in front of the computer is critical for both your health and productivity. Proper computer use should be as follows:
- The height of the middle of the keyboard from the floor should be 710-740 mm.
- Hands should be rested at intervals.
- The image quality of the computer screen is very important for eye health. The font size on the screen should not fall below 2.6 mm, the screen should not be dusty and there should be no flickering in the image.
- The viewing distance to the screen should be between 50-70 cm.
- In order to minimize light reflection, screens should be placed 90° perpendicular to windows if possible.
- Using a black background on screens can create the effect of entering a dark tunnel for personnel and increase the dazzling effect in bright environments.
- The top edge of the screen should be at eye level or slightly below.
- Personnel should not tend to bend their heads or throw their heads back while working. This situation can cause discomfort as it will bring long-term static load to the neck area.
- You should sit up straight in front of the monitor and keyboard and correct your posture from time to time.
- When using the keyboard for long periods, keeping your arms below the table surface and keeping your wrists constantly on the edge of the table can damage the nerves in the wrist area.
- When typing, your arms should be kept parallel to the ground and your wrists should not be bent.
- The surface of the keyboard should not be shiny and its color should be neutral.
- Long-term mouse use can damage the nerves in your palms, fingers and wrists. Therefore, usage should be minimized and operations should be done with the keyboard as much as possible.
- Especially in jobs that require constant viewing of the material, such as data entry, the use of document holding devices mounted on the screen to minimize head movement has a positive effect on performance.
- For healthy computer work, the noise in the office should be a maximum of 55-65 decibels, the ambient temperature should be 21 – 23 °C, and the humidity should be 45-55%.
- Light should come from the top and sides at a 45° angle while working on the computer. Light coming from the opposite side irritates the eyes.
- A 5-10 minute break should be given after 1 hour of work, and a 15-20 minute break should be given after 2 hours of work. This time should be spent away from the screen, if possible, in a dynamic movement.
- Stained or dusty glasses should be used because they will not only block vision but also cause reflections.
- To avoid problems when pressing letters on the keyboard, nails should be cut short.
What exercises can you do in the office?
Even on a busy office day, you can relax your body and increase your energy level with simple exercises. These movements both improve your posture and keep you fit throughout the day. Here are some exercises you can do in the office.
Breathing Exercises:In a relaxed position and standing, one hand should be on the abdomen and the other on the chest, breathe in slowly through the nose and hold for 4 seconds. Then breathe out slowly. The movement should be repeated 10 times.
Neck Exercises:Breathe in, turn the head to the side, then breathe out again and bring it to its natural position. Inhale, lift the head up and exhale, lower the chin as if it were touching the chest. The head is turned clockwise and counterclockwise as if it were touching the shoulders. Normal breathing should be inhaled and exhaled during this movement and each movement should be repeated 10 times.
Shoulder Exercises:The shoulders should be lifted up as if they were approaching the ears, and held for 3 seconds. The shoulders should be rotated back and down around their own axis, then forward and down. While sitting, the hands should be clasped behind the head, the elbows should be pulled back and a deep breath should be taken and a 30-second wait should be taken. The body should be relaxed while exhaling. These movements should be repeated 10 times.
Foot Exercises:While sitting, the ankles should be rotated around their own axis and this rotation should be repeated 25 times in each direction.
Wrist Exercises:While extending one arm forward with the hands facing up, the fingers of the extended hand are pulled back with the other hand. After waiting 30 seconds, the stretching is finished and the arm is relaxed. The same movement should be done for the other hand. These movements should be repeated 10 times.
Do we give enough importance to ergonomics for disabled people?
We don’t see many disabled people on the streets. The reason for this is not that the number of disabled people is low in our country, but that the infrastructure that will allow them to participate in life is not sufficient and widespread. These standards, which address a wide range from elevator buttons to disabled ramps, disabled toilets to traffic lights, are actually based on ergonomic principles.
Let’s not be fooled by the fact that there are more disabled people in developed countries. It is hard not to be sad when you see the electronic wheelchairs they use, ergonomic tools, equipment, vehicles and buildings specially designed for the disabled.
What are the ergonomic standards for the elderly?
When the traffic light turns green, elderly citizens cannot cross the road. It turns red while they are still in the middle and the danger arises. Unfortunately, since it is not possible for them to walk faster, this period needs to be extended. It is impossible for them to climb many high pavements. There are not enough benches on the streets for them to sit. It is difficult even for young people to climb the steps of minibuses and buses. Shopping carts in markets are large and it is extremely difficult to push and turn them. In short, city streets are not suitable for the elderly. If the weather turns bad and the ground becomes slippery, it is not difficult for them to break something.
There are many traps set up for the elderly in their homes. It is very easy for elderly individuals to break a bone if they fall. Moreover, if they break, they will be bedridden and meet death. As a result, many ergonomic designs must be made and implemented for the elderly in city life.
Common Work Accidents and Ergonomic Solutions
Workers who are forced to work in poor working conditions are faced with serious injuries involving hands, wrists, joints, back and other organs.
These injuries may occur due to the following reasons:
- Long-term use of vibration-producing machines
- Tasks and tools that cause the hands and muscles to rotate
- Force applications in the opposite direction
- Situations where excessive load is placed on the hands, wrists, back and joints
- Situations where the arm is forced to work overhead
- Jobs where the waist is forced to bend
- Situations where heavy loads are pushed or lifted
- Continuous repetitive movements during work
- People with certain diseases are in the workforce (gout, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, some congenital or acquired disabilities)
- Working in jobs that are inexperienced
- Workers are forced to work in the same place all the time
- Shifts are long
- Work environment is not peaceful
Products with Improved Ergonomics
Sometimes a product has such a bad design due to production that it is necessary to search for new ergonomic corrections to fix it. It is required by ergonomic principles to correct elements such as temperature, noise, vibration, electrostatic charge and odor that disturb employees. These elements to be added to the system will ensure that the entire structure is ergonomic.
Every day we see in advertisements that a new ergonomic toothbrush can reach the back part of the mouth, which is normally less accessible, and does not damage the tooth enamel. If the new brush is so good, why is the research still ongoing? The answer is; none of them are ergonomically perfect yet. In that case, it is natural to accept the efforts to find better ones.
So, what size should a spaghetti be so that the person eating it can take it without choking, without losing their breath, and without it breaking while being carried in the package?
How many buttons can a camera have at most?
What is the most suitable length of control devices?
Can a chair that never tires or hurts be designed?
Can a highly efficient, effective, fast and non-tiring bicycle be designed?