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The value of ergonomicsThe value of ergonomics is easily understood by anyone who has tried to do a job using the wrong tools. The increased difficulty causes the job to take longer, leading to frustration and loss of temper. This in turn leads to use of excessive force and increases the risk of a slip of the hand and injury. In the wider world of industry and commerce, such problems arising from poor design of jobs, machines or workplaces may lead to large-scale inefficiencies, risk taking, increase in accidents and 'near-misses', and increases in absenteeism related to dissatisfaction with the job. Knowledge of ergonomics is of great value in preventing ill-health and injury from work, as well as in rehabilitating (e.g. someone with back pain). For example, personal protective equipment will not generally be used unless it is acceptable to employees, by fitting comfortably and not interfering unduly with the task for which it is needed.Ergonomics will in due course be considered in more detail with special reference to the following issues:
These can include a rnage of musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, or other problems such as so called repetitive strain injury or cumulative trauma disorder (RSI/CTD). Other references: Healthy Computing ( from IBM ) Acknowledgement: Part of this page has been adapted, with permission, from Practical Occupational Medicine (Copyright) - Arnold publishers. |