Ergonomics - Research Proposal Example

Hence, a reasonable application of the principles of ergonomics diminishes the disorders and injuries caused due to repetitive motion, faulty posture and an over use of body muscles. This can be achieved by taking into consideration the physical abilities and concerns of the employees while fabricating various attributes of the workplace environment like tasks, hardware, space, lighting, controls, storage space, etc (MacLeod 2006). The primary concern of ergonomics is to optimally enhance the element of comfort at workplace so as to make way for maximum efficiency.

Thus the human-machine interface at work should be so arranged so as to extend the desirable physical and mental comfort to the employees. This definitely enhances the efficiency and productivity at work by making the scheduled and general tasks relatively easier and facile. Therefore, ergonomics can play a positive role in bettering the scope of human resources in any institution and organization (Helander 2005). Though the advent of digital gadgets like the computers, fax machines, telephones, scanners, photocopiers, etc has added a measure of speed and accuracy to the work culture, such devices certainly have physical and mental issues associated with them. . ning and faulty usage of digital gadgets could lead to a counterproductive compromising of the comfort associated with the back, shoulder, neck and wrist movements, which is so cardinal to the overall health and productivity of the employees (Wogalter 2006).

In order to enable the individual employees to find out their desirable comfort zone, it is imperative for the digital hardware installed in the office to comply with ergonomic principles. In fact the manufacturers now days are trying their best to come out with the customized lines of ergonomic digital gadgets. Besides there is a growing awareness amongst the employers regarding the benefits of hardware ergonomics (Stein et al 2006). A more then average initiative is being taken by the manufacturers and the organizations to incorporate the elements of cutting-edge ergonomics at work to reduce stress, to stimulate productivity and to diminish employee absenteeism.

Introducing ergonomics in the designing of office furniture and digital gadgets like offering adjustable chairs with lumbar support, right sized desks, adjustable keyboards, trackballs, good lighting, low glare monitors can do wonders for the work environment in an office (Alexander 2006). 2.0 PURPOSE OF THE REPORT The purpose of this report is to redesign a workplace for two employees (124cmx75cm), in coherence with the principles of ergonomics (Picture 1).

The office under consideration is equipped with an array of digital gadgets and furniture like computers, printer, coffee maker, cupboards, desks, chairs, which are not placed in compliance with the employee comfort. There is no denying the fact that digital gadgets though being efficiency multipliers have physical and mental issues associated with them,