Learn more about Ergonomic Products
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among human and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.
Workplace ergonomic is the science of designing the workplace, keeping in mind the capabilities and limitations of the worker. It is also referred to as the science of fitting a workplace to the user’s needs with focus on increase in efficiency and productivity.
The term ergonomics originally comes from the Greek words “ergon” (work or labor) and “nomos” (natural laws). The fact that the word ergonomics was coined by a Polish scholar, Wojciech Jastrzębowski, in 1857 became widely known when his book in Polish was reprinted with English translation in 1997.
Yes, the word “ERGONOMIC” sounds strange to most people.
Ergonomics is a “relatively” new concept in Nigeria due to lack of information dissemination and low awareness in the media.
An average man in the Nigeria today may not know what ergonomics are, because back in the days, there was no awareness of ergonomic products let alone people using them.
The awareness of ergonomics in Nigeria is quite poor and this is largely because generality of Nigerians are not conversant with the benefits that can be derived from ergonomics.
Poor ergonomics is a significant workplace risk that can lead to chronic Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome, back, neck or joint pain. The importance of ergonomics cannot be overemphasized in the workplace, as its purpose is to increase the safety, comfort, productivity, work quality and cost reduction.
Explore the Importance of Ergonomic Furniture
- Sit/Stand Desk
- Articulating Arms (for Monitors)
- Banana Board
- Ergonomic Chairs
- Work in neutral postures
- Reduce excessive force
- Keep everything in easy reach
- Work at proper heights
- Reduce excessive motion
- Minimize fatigue and static load
- Minimize pressure points
- Provide clearance
- Move, exercise and stretch
- Maintain a comfortable environment
Regular office furniture components are neither flexible nor easily adjustable to fit purposes. Prolong use of regular office furniture usually causes pains/injury in our day to day activities.
Ergonomic furniture has been designed to support function and comfort for human use, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal problems, joint pain, back issues, neck pains, arthritis, restricted organs and poor blood pressure.
An ergonomic office furniture adjusts to fit the body of the user as they move so that strain to the body parts are minimal whereas a regular office furniture is static/stationary and do not move to fit the user.
The key to sitting well is maintaining the natural curvature of your spine. The vertebral column has three “normal curves”:
- Inward curve near the neck
- Outward curve at the mid-back
- Inward lumbar curve near the waist.
When all three of these curves are in their resting/normal states, there is minimal strain to the back.
Regular chairs offer a static sitting posture which creates stress to the back, legs, and thighs, ergonomic chairs allow for multidirectional movement thereby increasing blood flow, reducing stress on the spinal cord, and reducing the risk of injury and fatigue. Same applies for the regular ergonomic table. Ergonomic chairs are thus constructed to support the natural contours of the spinal cord and to provide essential lumbar (low back) support.
More differences:
S/N | Ergonomic Chair | Regular Chair |
1 | Adjustable height mechanism | Static |
2 | Adjustable arm rests | Static |
3 | Adjustable tilt option allowing for varying sitting position | Static |
4 | Full swivel (for a full range of motion which prevents strain) | Static |
5 | Lumbar support | Not applicable |
S/N | Ergonomic Table | Regular Table |
1 | Adjustable height (allowing you to stretch your legs out under the desk while you work) | Static |
The long-term benefits of ergonomics include
- Improved productivity
- Creates an improved understanding and awareness leading to safety-oriented culture
- Improved understanding of the safety benefits of ergonomics
- Reduced cost as little or no amount of money would be spent on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) injuries.
Short term benefits of ergonomics Includes:
- Improved quality as poor ergonomics leads to frustrated and fatigued workers that don’t do their best work.
- Improved employees’ engagement and satisfaction thus leading to high productivity.
- Reduces costs involved in employing ergonomic methods and equipment.
Explore more benefits Ergonomic Furnitures bring to your workplace
- Decreased productivity and performance – there would be a higher level of musculoskeletal disorder to the employee of the business and as such a reduced level of productivity.
- There would be a higher level of cost going into health of staff as the rate of headache, body pain and other ergonomic related issues would increase.
- Higher costs are incurred as a result of recurrent expenses in the purchase of regular office furniture which are not as durable as ergo products among others.
- It reduces quality – there would be a reduced level of quality in the output of the business due to higher rate of fatigued workers.
- Decreases employee’s engagement
The demerits of not using ergo furniture are too numerous to mention. The use of ergonomics cannot be over emphasized.
- Ergonomic furniture is for EVERYONE, especially people who sit for long periods and those who do repetitive work.
- Fit for ALL CLASSES of people, both young and old.
- EVERYONE who is interested in living a healthy lifestyle free from ergonomically avoidable health challenges.
- Repetitive / Sustained Awkward Posture
- Forceful Exertions
- High Task Repetition
Ergonomic injuries are injuries caused by exposure to ergonomic risk factors, such as repetitive strain, prolonged exposure to abnormal temperatures or vibration, prolonged awkward posture, or forceful exertion or pressure upon a particular body part.
Training is an important element in the ergonomic process. It ensures that workers are aware of ergonomics and its benefits, become informed about ergonomics related concerns in the workplace, and understand the importance of reporting early symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Super-power your workspace with ergonomic products for optimal productivity
Ergonomics products can only be termed expensive if the comfort, quality, durability and numerous health advantages associated with the products are not taken into perspective; however, the materials used in product manufacturing and the technology involved are expensive. A lot of research goes into ergonomics to discover better ways of doing a job as well as how the human body reacts and adapts when subjected to certain stress over time.
Some reasons ergonomics are more expensive than standard office furniture are:
- Research and Development:: The best ergonomic furniture have years of research and development behind them. Some of that cost is built into the end product but you are paying for a product that has been developed to save your body from pain and stress.
- Durability: Cheap office chair tend to wear out quickly with cushions that flatten in months and a structure that gets rickety. A good ergonomic chair will be more expensive because it’s made to be durable and last for a longer time frame. Higher end chairs will last 8 to 15 years which is well worth the upfront expensive of a good ergonomic chair.
- Adjustability: Ergonomic products also cost more because they allow for more adjustments. A high end ergonomic product will allow you to adjust the height, back, depth, angle, tension, support, and more to fit your personal body. These extra adjustments require more parts on the furniture which adds expense to the total cost.
The level of awareness of ergonomics in Nigeria is relatively low as a lot of people are yet to know what ergonomic products are, the few which are privileged to know have a high level of interest due to its health benefit and positivity.
Several measures of awareness and enlightenment such as trainings, adverts, seminars, conferences, publicity in newspapers, television and radio stations across the country should be created and conducted so everyone is well informed on why ergonomics should be part of their daily activity, if we are to embrace the culture of Ergonomics both at the workplace and at home.
The government can:
- provide more funding for research into Ergonomics and more media dissemination of information;
- introduce subsidy to reduce the cost of ergonomic products;
- Introduce ergonomic to the new age by organizing a sensitization program, also make it compulsory in public offices, schools etc in order to minimize the long term negative effect of health hazard caused by non-usage of ergonomics;
- create awareness through government sponsored adverts, seminars etc that would educate the people on the importance of ergonomics;
- purchase of ergonomic products for their staff in every parastatal; and
- create policies that would allow ergonomic products design, manufacturing and purchase thrive in Nigeria.
It might pre-empt an early retirement due to health complications arising mainly from Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (MSD).
The purchase of an ergonomic furniture today would guarantee a cost-effective retirement age, free from unwarranted spending on health as a result of musculoskeletal disorders and other ergonomically related challenges.
All forms of ergonomic products can be purchased from all branches of THEKAN SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED. In Nigeria, these products are readily available from Thekan Ergonomic Solutions. We are a registered Manufacturer and Distributor of standard office and home products as far as Ergonomics is concerned. Our quality meets set global requirements and also meet Nigerian Local Content Requirements of 50%.
Did you know ? All forms of ergonomic products can be purchased from all branches of THEKAN SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED these products are readily available from Thekan Ergonomic Solutions.
In terms of product durability, affordability, quality and product offering, it does not get better than Thekan. The top names in ergonomic chairs like THEKAN SERVICES offer their products at different sizes to better accommodate every sized customer. The range of products we offer is varied when it comes to colour, fabric (texture) and comfortability.
We cater to both middle- and high-end earners – There is a product for every individual, customized to suit their needs and budget.
- We have amassed a wealth of experience in the design, production and purchase of ergonomics products in Nigeria.
- We possess a team of experts that can proffer solutions to any ergonomic challenges
- Our products are of great quality, durable, comfortable and cost effective.
- Quality of product meets the required specification and standard.
- The products are cost friendly compared to the price obtainable outside.
- Product delivery is swift and timely – we are reliable and sure to deliver.
Moreso, our after-sales services cannot be matched in terms of Product delivery, Set-up & Installation, Warranty and Buy-back program.
There are no specific ergonomics regulations, although OSHA will continue to cite ergonomic injuries under the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Section 5. All employees are covered by OSHA under this section. But (29 CFR 1910.900, November 14, 2000) set certain guidelines for companies to work with. “Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR Part 1910 [Docket No. S–777] RIN 1218–AB36 Ergonomics Program AGENCY”