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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