An insight into Ergonomics

ERGONOMICSSukhneet Assee

Lorna Reed

Nina Klausen

What is Ergonomics?

Ergon WORK

Nomos

LAWS

ERGONOMICS would mean

Natural laws of work

Ergonomics is…

…a multi-disciplinary approachto achieve a good fit between:

People

Equipment they use

Work they do

Environment in which they operate

An example

An example

Where there are people there are always ergonomics issues

Ergonomics is concerned with everyone: from babies to the elderly.

Ergonomics encompasses all places

Schools Offices Factories

Furniture Ergonomics

Concentrates on:

How well the furniture fits people

Is the furniture fit for purpose?

Safety of furniture/risk of injury

Comfort and well-being of users

Size matters?

Ergonomics advice to FIRA members Ergonomics input to design and development of products Compliance with Health & Safety Regulations Ergonomics risk assessments and solutions Training, Seminars, Workshops Testing of furniture to ergonomic standards Ergonomics Evaluations Research Standard development at BSI, CEN and ISO committees Expert witness service

Activities of FIRA Ergonomics

Ergonomics Evaluations of products:

Appraisals

Fitness for purpose

Risk analysis - assessment

Ergonomics Excellence Award

Gold Award

Activities of FIRA Ergonomics

Pushchairs

Highchairs

Bunk Beds

Cot Beds

Luggage

User trials for any product assessment

Risk assessments

Services to furniture purchasers / users

Development of technical / ergonomics furniture specification, tender documents and evaluation of bids

Furniture selection / user trials

Office layout guidelines / assessment

Activities of FIRA Ergonomics

Ergonomics

Educational Furniture

Office Furniture

Domestic/Contract Furniture

Kitchens

FIRA Ergonomics standards activities

Test to existing standards

BS EN 1335 – 1

BS EN 527 – 1

BS EN ISO 9241 – 5

BS EN 1023 – 1

BS EN 1729 -1

NEN, DIN, BIFMA standards etc.

Develop new tests as required

for chair headrests, coat hangers

Monitor arms, laptop stands, document holders

Testing and standards

Measured to ensure that they will dimensionally fit the intended population.

Standards:

BS EN 1335-1

BS EN 527-1

BS EN ISO 9241

Ergonomics testing

As more and more products become ‘ergonomic’, there is now

a need to differentiate between products claiming to be

ergonomic.

Even though all such products comply with appropriate ergonomics standards.

‘Ergonomic’ products

Launched in order to identify and differentiate those products which excel in ergonomics from

those which only meet the minimum requirements of ergonomic standards.

FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

BS EN ISO 9241 - 5

FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

User trials

Pressure mapping of chairs

Ergonomically Excellent Products:

Improve well being, and health & safety of staff

Improve efficiency & productivity of workforce

Increase morale of workforce

Reduce staff turnover & absenteeism

Reduce the number of litigation cases

FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

Winners of FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

Sayl ChairHerman Miller

ID Concept ChairsVitra

Orvia ChairsBurgess

M8 Monitor ArmHumanscale

LITE iPad SupportErgonomic Cafe

Axess Ergo Dealer DeskSBFI

Winners of FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

AeronHerman Miller

NewtonOrangebox

FreedomHumanscale

MovyIntestuhl

Laptop holderHumanscale

Logic 400RH Chairs

Research

2001: Survey of School children in England.

Design Guide

Expert witness service

Activities of FIRA Ergonomics

Funded by:

Dfee

BESA

FIRA

Measured 1400 children in 3 geographical areas

2001 Survey of school children in England

Main findings were:

Children are still growing 1cm per decade

Main growth is taking place in the legs

2001 Survey of school children in England

Current School Furniture is:

Inflexible unexciting/uninspiring cheap unhealthy in state of disrepair not fit for purpose

Hence children do not feel ownership

Current School Furniture does not meet:

needs of children needs of teachers needs of teaching methods needs of technology

And most importantly: sizes of children (2001 Survey)

So how do we ensure that the furniture:

meets the needs of children?

meets the needs of new learning environments?

Is back friendly & comfortable?

improves children’s concentration & attention?

looks & feels good?

is safe and durable?

Compliance

Complying with the European standard

BS EN 1729 Parts 1 and 2…

…is only the starting point …

www.schoolfurniture.uk.com

FIRA CFG DfES website for guidance

An overall assessment is needed to:

promote children’s well being. help children to concentrate and hence improve

their learning capabilities. take the pain out of specifying. give peace of mind to the specifier knowing that

furniture meets the criteria discussed. allow specifiers to concentrate on aesthetics, cost,

delivery guarantee etc.

FIRA certification scheme: School furniture

Identifies long lasting fit-for-purpose

furniture.

One-stop-shop for testing and specifying.

Helps specifiers choose appropriate

products.

What can be part of the FIRA Certification Scheme?

Any furniture used in schools

Chairs, tables, lockers, workbenches, stools, writing boards, screens, storage units…

Ergonomically Excellent School Furniture can:

Improve well being of pupils

Improve efficiency & productivity

Improve feelings of ownership

Meet the needs of new learning styles

FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

Meet the teamMeet the team