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THE CASE OF FURNITURE DESIGN IN A WORKPLACE.

Ergonomics Applied to the Design Industry: The Case of Furniture Design in a Workplace.

Ana Do Rosario
University of Saint Joseph

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THE CASE OF FURNITURE DESIGN IN A WORKPLACE.
Abstract
Applying more methods and techniques that have evolved throughout these years, the
Furniture Design Industry has been improving for this past century. In this research project,
principles for Furniture Design, Ergonomics and workplace environment are discussed. This
research shows the causes and effects of bad ergonomics as well as the methods on how to
prevent them. Ergonomics is one of the important methods used to make furniture for the
comfort of everyone. It has been a huge part of furniture design.
This research talks mainly about the benefits of ergonomics in a workplace.

Keywords: Ergonomics, workplace, health, furniture design, health

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THE CASE OF FURNITURE DESIGN IN A WORKPLACE.
Introduction
Ergonomics Applied to the Design Industry: The Case of Furniture Design in a Workplace.

The term ergonomics dates to the mid-1800s, Hywel Murrell, a British chemist,
created it. Ergonomics originates from the Greek word ergon, meaning, work, and nomos,
meaning law. (Wikipedia),
According to Sweeney (2016), ergonomics is the process of designing the human body to
improve peoples interaction with products. It is the science that focuses on designing and
arranging products so that people are able to use it easily and safely.
Ergonomics is really important, especially for architects and designers, for the knowing the
right measurements of furniture for the comfort of the people.
This can improve efficiency and safety of the human-machine relationship. The basic steps in
the ergonomic process include organization of the process, identification and analysis of the
problem, development of a solution, implementation of the solution, and evaluation of the
result.
Furniture design is a field where function and fashion come together. It is very important for
many interior designers because it is what makes a room come together. Furniture is not only
functional; it is also fashionable and adds personality to the room. (Furniture Design: Where
Function Meets Fashion, 2016, April 16).
Ergonomics is important everywhere, such as in school, a workplace and in a theater.
Sitting in a place for a long time, it is important for people to be feeling as comfortable as
possible for that they feel more eager to learn or work or watch. This is where ergonomics

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THE CASE OF FURNITURE DESIGN IN A WORKPLACE.
comes in; it helps people feel comfortable and reduce risks that affect their posture, muscles
and health.
Over the last 50 years, there have been a lot of changes in the history of furniture
design. Before the 20th century, the majority of furniture was handcrafted with solid wood.
Since the 21st century started, more and more furniture are made by different kinds of
materials and methods. Before ergonomics, designers were forced to think the measurements
by themselves which usually would not work for everybody but now, we get to know the
average measurements to make any kind of furniture. (Furniture Design and Manufacturing A Glance Into History, 2016, April 22).
Although handcrafted furniture is more durable and unique than some furniture being made
today, homeowners are able to choose between many different designs and materials.
Nowadays, in the modern days, more and more furniture made with metal because of its
durability and the beauty of its material. (Furniture Design and Manufacturing - A Glance
Into History, 2016, April 22).
Thesis
There are many benefits of an applied ergonomics workplace:
Ergonomic reduces costs. By reducing ergonomic applied risks, you can save money
by preventing Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) and many other risks.
Ergonomic improves productivity. By designing a workplace that allows for good
posture, the workstation becomes more efficient, people will start to feel comfortable and
safe, therefore they would work more.
Ergonomics improves quality. Poor ergonomics leads to frustration and fatigue in
workers that will lead them to not do their best work at their job. People tend to lack energy

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THE CASE OF FURNITURE DESIGN IN A WORKPLACE.
and motivation when they feel that the company do not give any effort to make them feel as
safe and comfortable as possible.
Ergonomics improves employee engagement. Employees notice when the company
is putting their best efforts to ensure their health and safety and when they do, they tend to
work harder.
Ergonomics creates a better safety environment. Ergonomics shows your companys
commitment to safety and health as a core value. Healthy employees are the least the
company can do; creating and improving the safety & health of the workers at your company
will lead to better human performance for your organization. (Middlesworth, M., (2016, April
22). 5 Proven Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace.)
Five ways to improve ergonomics in the office:
If people perform well, your company will perform well. If people perform poorly,
long-term company success is difficult to achieve.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are soft-tissue injuries of the muscles, nerves, tendons,
ligaments, joints, cartilage, blood vessels or spinal discs, and result from gradual exposure
over a long period to low-level harmful agents called risk factors. (Sinkwitts, J., 2016, April
22, Five Steps to Improve Ergonomics in the Office).
Professionals should set up workstation. This is because professionals know what is best for
the workplace and the four elements required which are: eyes to the source; hands to input
devices; feet to the floor; and the body to the chair.
To have a good Ergonomic system in a workplace, it is also important to have the right
equipment.

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THE CASE OF FURNITURE DESIGN IN A WORKPLACE.
The chair should adjustable; a backrest should be able to tilt backward and forward, backrest
tension control and lumbar support.
Keyboard should lie flat and offer slope adjustability to achieve up to 15 slope and have a
low profile (approximately 1" or 30 mm).
There should be wireless devices to make the workers movement easier and less complicated
rather than having a lot of cords around the worktable.
The monitor should be able to adjust the brightness and contrast, free from flicker and
adjustable tilt.
The Wrist rest should be constructed of compressible or soft material to reduce external
pressure on the wrist and offer a non-friction surface.
Their headset should be digital, rather than analog, and offer a quick-disconnect capability.
The footrest needs to be height adjustable from 11" (28 cm) to 18" (46 cm).
The laptops should have an external mouse and keyboard for extended periods of computer
use and workers should take regular breaks and change your posture when working for long
periods of time. (Sinkwitts, J., 2016, April 22, Five Steps to Improve Ergonomics in the
Office).
Literature Review

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THE CASE OF FURNITURE DESIGN IN A WORKPLACE.

Ergonomics, in the workplace, is the study of the fit between employees, specifically
the human body, and the various items with which the employees come into contact during
the course of a normal workday.
In a workplace, most of the people working are mostly seated throughout the day and it can
be very painful and tiring if they do not have the right kind of chairs and tables. Office
workers are one of the concerns.
Ergonomics is important because these people often work from their computers and
phones while sitting in one place for a long period of time. These workers are the reasons
why ergonomics is important because work-related injuries are caused because of their
continuous computer and phone use.
Ergonomic experts have made their priority to keep workers feel comfortable and
healthy. Their mission is to improve the workplace environment for computer users. Not
only does ergonomics reduce the risks of workers getting injured at work, it also saves
money. It may cost a lot in the beginning but it is worth it. It reduces workers work related
injuries. This helps the company gain money rather than lose paying for their workers
hospital bill in the future.(Middlesworth, M., 2016, April 22, 5 Proven Benefits of
Ergonomics in the Workplace.)
Placing of items in a workplace is also important for ones health. For example, the
monitor should be placed in front of the users face to minimize neck pain, monitors should
be one arm away from the user, tilted back by 10 to 20 degrees and positioned away from
anything that brings a lot of light into a room.

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THE CASE OF FURNITURE DESIGN IN A WORKPLACE.

Reference:
Sweeney, H. (2016, April 16) Ergonomics. Retrieved from http://ergonomics.org/
Furniture Design: Where Function Meets Fashion (2016, April 16). Retrieved from
http://www.theartcareerproject.com/furniture-design-where-function-meets-fashion/240/
Furniture Design and Manufacturing - A Glance Into History (2016, April 22). Retrieved
from http://www.eilidhdickson.co.uk/
Middlesworth, M., (2016, April 22). 5 Proven Benefits of Ergonomics in the Workplace.
Retrieved http://ergo-plus.com/workplace-ergonomics-benefits/
Sinkwitts, J. (2016, April 22) Five Steps to Improve Ergonomics in the Office. Retrieved
from http://ehstoday.com/industrial-hygiene/five-steps-improve-ergonomics-office