The word “ergonomics” comes from Greek words “Ergos,” meaning work, and “Nomos,” meaning natural law.
Applying ergonomics effectively requires a thorough understanding of the specific environment to identify and mitigate potential issues, such as musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks. So, when a product like an office chair is labeled “ergonomic,” it doesn’t always mean that proper ergonomic guidelines were followed.
Much like the term “diet” in the 90s, the word “ergonomic” has become a marketing trend used to sell more products. Today, if you search for a chair or mouse for your office, you’ll likely encounter the “ergonomic” label. Some companies even incorporate “ergo” into product names to further capitalize on the trend.
It’s easy to get confused when 20 different products, whether wheelbarrows or pieces of large equipment, claim that their handles or grips are ”ergonomic,” suggesting intentional safety design. While certain features of a tool may indeed be ergonomic, labeling an entire product as such is misleading, as no single product can be entirely ergonomic by itself.
The Real Meaning of Ergonomics:
Fitting the Job to the Person
Determining the fit between the person and job requires understanding both the person and job. What could be ergonomic in one environment and/or task may not be in another.
A simple example of this is the swivel wheels on a cart. Having two wheels that are fixed and two that swivel would be “ergonomic” for pushing down an aisle (assuming the pivot wheels are on the same side as the handle). But it wouldn’t be ergonomic if the task was primarily about positioning f the cart in a specific manner (4 swivel wheels would be better to avoid strain from having to physically move the cart instead of swiveling it into place).
The key to making changes that are sustainable is to find engineering who follow the Design Guidelines for Ergonomics to fit the operator’s abilities. For example, the grip on a handle for any tool should be 1.2 – 2” in diameter and 4”-6” in length for the operator to power grip it with less than 15.9 lbs. when used infrequently. There are many inputs, such as grasping with or without wrist deviation, that can affect whether or not the grip has an “ergonomic fit.”
Another ergonomic fit to consider with handle design is whether the task uses gloves, and what type of gloves. Leather construction gloves would require a slightly smaller diameter and slightly longer length than using one’s bare hands or nitrile gloves.
What to Do with the “Ergonomics” Label on Products
When purchasing anything with an “ergonomic” label, it is important to check the details of the product to ensure that it:
- Allows for Adjustability
- Maintains Neutral Postures
- Reduces Grip Forces
- Reduces Frequency
- Minimizes Physical Stressors
The other big concern around misusing the word “ergonomic” on products is it is seen so regularly now that the meaning is lost, along with the opportunity to truly differentiate smart solutions. The industrial equipment that operators interact with should not be considered ergonomic just because it was purchased from a trusted manufacturer.
So, before you start your Google search for improved ergonomic tools or items for your home office, make sure to read through the details of the product and confirm if they follow these design guidelines for ergonomics. This will provide you with verified data on proper tool design requirements and anthropometric data to accommodate 95% of your working population.