The human factor largely determines the success of any company. The efficiency of an employee’s work depends on how comfortable he or she feels in the workplace. And comfort is largely determined by the conditions in which the work process takes place. Ergonomics is a science that allows us to comprehensively assess the interaction of a person with the tools and environment to create the conditions most conducive to safety, efficiency, and comfort of the process.
Office space
The basis for rational planning of office space is the division into working areas that create the most comfortable working conditions for employees, both in a team and independently.
There are three types of office space organization:
- Closed
- Open
- Combined
To choose the one you should find out the number of employees, the specifics of their activities, the interaction between employees, the flow and movement of clients are taken into account, whether group work of employees is required or each of them works individually.
Thus, the members of the groups responsible for a single case should not be in different offices. Conversely, unrelated departments should not be located in a common room.
Office space of the office (closed) type does not allow for efficient use of available space and requires high costs for repair and cleaning. Such a type of division of space is required in the state institutions and the companies in which employees carry out tasks individually or in small groups: the financial and analytical companies, design offices, law firms, etc.
“Open” offices are preferred for technical support services, sales, and customer service departments, architectural and design bureaus. Open space systems allow not only to solve working processes but also brings the economy on air-conditioning of premises, the electric power, other technical communications, cleaning does not cause problems. The modular organization of the office allows you to adjust the number of seats, add or remove them. Separation of workstations by partitions or shelves allows the use of available space with maximum efficiency, while employees are under the control of management.
The disadvantages of an ergonomic workstation in a modern, open-plan office should also be taken into account. The desire to make the most of the space can lead to inconvenience to movement, so the distance between the racks should be calculated on the basis of the company’s working conditions. Also, a significant number of people in the same room creates noise and can cause visual isolation problems – distracting people from their work.
The combination type is most commonly used. In this case, separate offices are allocated for accounting and management, and ordinary employees are placed in a common room divided into zones by partitions.
Workplace
The main principle of the workplace organization is to minimize loads, convenience and comfort. The characteristics of workplace ergonomics are determined by psychological, physiological and anthropometric requirements.
One of the most important tasks is the selection of tables and chairs. This is an example of an ergonomic reception desk: https://www.sohomod.com/office/reception-desks/zen-double-reception-desk.html Ergonomics of the workplace with a personal computer. If a chair is required to be fit comfortably, which can be provided with armrests, adjustable backrest and mobility, determined by the nature of the work, the ergonomics of the desktop largely determines the speed of work. The most ergonomic is the angular curvilinear shape of the worktop. But in the case of the L-shaped form or too smooth rounding, the employee is forced to reach for the papers. In addition, it is necessary to provide various stands, trays and superstructures, which ensure the work on the principle of “everything at hand” in order to eventually eliminate unnecessary costs.
Create a clean and comfortable office space.
It doesn’t take a psychologist to tell you that when you are in an area that is attractive, comfortable, and pleasant, you feel better. This is true of both the home and the work environment, so be sure to clear away clutter and broken equipment, and mend flickering lightbulbs and temperamental air conditioning or heating units.
Computer ergonomics
In addition to the shape and dimensions of the furniture, the position of the person in relation to the technique and location of the keyboard, monitor and other parts of the workflow, the ergonomics of the workplace at the computer should take into account the size and shape of the periphery.
Keyboard ergonomics
Key height – two standards are available: “slim” and standard. The first keys have a shorter stroke and require a softer pressure. They are convenient for typing large texts, as they put less strain on the hands.
Layout – some manufacturers change the position of the function keys. This causes inconvenience and reduces productivity due to the fact that the employee has to retrain or correct errors that appear due to the use of other combinations. This factor should be taken into account when choosing. There are keypads that are made in an unusual (for example, angular) form. Such changes also reduce the efficiency of work and lead to hand fatigue.
Pressure volume is an important aspect. The noise caused by the keys interferes with the employee and, even more, with the employees who are nearby. And when several people work together, these sounds can significantly affect the comfort of the team. The sound should be as quiet as possible.
Color – although most keyboards are black and white, the opposite is more convenient for permanent use: black signs on a white background. It is this combination that makes the lens less burdensome and does not cause eye fatigue. Another nuance that should be paid attention to is the resistance of the paint. If it is erased over time, the employee will feel uncomfortable when searching, and this will affect the efficiency of tasks.
As a result, if the ergonomics is taken into account when working at the computer, the workplace and office space are properly equipped, the details that caused discomfort and interfered with the work of employees will disappear. Such changes will allow both to increase the efficiency and save the time spent on independent overcoming of important “details “, even if unnoticeable at once.
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