An insight into Ergonomics ERGONOMICS Claire Clark Ergonomist Oct 2017
What is Ergonomics? a multi-disciplinary approach to 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?
Activities of FIRA Ergonomics Workplace ergonomics Workplace design and assessment for employers Compliance with Regulations DSE, Health & Safety, DDA Regulations Ergonomics risk assessments and solutions Furniture specification development for facilities managers and procurement Testing of furniture to ergonomic standards Ergonomics Product Evaluations Ergonomics input to design & development Research Standards development at BSI, CEN and ISO committees Training, Seminars, Workshops Expert witness service
Workplace design & evaluation
Compliance with regulations Compliance with Health & Safety Regulations DSE Manual Handling Ergonomics risk assessments and solutions
Risk assessments 1 3 2 4
Equality Act (previously DDA) Audit Advice, Compliance, Verification, Certification Product and workplace compliance (BS 8300)
Furniture Spec development & assessment Working with Facilities managers & Procurement Development of technical /ergonomics furniture specification and evaluation of bids Furniture selection / user trials
Furniture Selection Process Specification Development User Needs Organisational Needs Special Needs Sustainability Needs Preparation of tender documents BS EN ISO Standards Evaluation of bid documents Criteria for objective evaluation (Weighted) Preparation of tender documents Shortlist Companies/Products Evaluation of shortlisted products Prototype workstations Controlled user evaluations Real life user trials Final decision making Ordering Delivery and Installation
Testing and standards 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 (on chairs) Monitor arms, laptop stands, document holders
Ergonomics testing Measured to ensure that they will dimensionally fit the intended population. Standards: BS EN 1335-1 BS EN 527-1 BS EN ISO 9241 BS ISO 24496
Product evaluations Ergonomics Evaluations of products: Appraisals Fitness for purpose Risk analysis - assessment Ergonomics Excellence Award
User trials for any product assessment Pushchairs Highchairs Bunk Beds Cot Beds Luggage
User trials for any product assessment Catering for the aging population Mobility scooters Riser/recliners
Risk assessment/product liability
Ergonomic products 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.
FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award 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 Shows that the product: Excels in ergonomic features is manufactured under quality systems and in an ecologically responsible manner
FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award User trials BS EN ISO 9241-5
Pressure mapping of chairs
Pressure mapping beds
Posture Analysis - Spinal Alignment
FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award 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
Winners of FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award Sayl Chair Herman Miller ID Concept Chairs Vitra Orvia Chairs Burgess M8 Monitor Arm Humanscale LITE ipad Support Ergonomic Cafe Axess Ergo Dealer Desk SBFI
Winners of FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award Aeron Herman Miller Newton Orangebox Logic 400 RH Chairs Freedom Humanscale Movy Intestuhl Laptop holder Humanscale
Winners of FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award Arrow Ergonomic Cafe Quick Stand Lite Humanscale Rossa Ava Sleep Sao Paulo Kusch & Co Ergo Flex Recliner G Plan
Activities of FIRA Ergonomics Research 2001: Survey of School children in England. Design Guides Bariatric Seating & Beds Kitchen Layout Design Guide Pressure Mapping Expert witness service
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
FIRA Ergonomics standards activities Ergonomics Educational Furniture Office Furniture Domestic/Contract Furniture Kitchens
Meet the team Meet the team Levent Çaglar Head of Ergonomics Department Senior Ergonomist Claire Clark Ergonomist Alex Huckle Ergonomist Alice Wardle Ergonomics Student