Applied Ergonomics
The Source for
Solutions
New ways to work, new challenges
• Totally mobile computing
• Cloud storage
• More mobile workforce
• Pressure to reduce real estate cost and carbon • Pressure to reduce real estate cost and carbon
footprint per employee
• Increasing collaboration both on projects and
documents
Major Challenges
• Accommodating multi-generational workstyles
– Millennials
• Are multi-taskers
• Prefer e-mail or IM to face-to-face conversation
• Not easily phased by noise or commotion• Not easily phased by noise or commotion
• Less prone to back problems and other ailments
– Older generations
• Tend to be more linear
• Prefer phone or in-person conversation
• Need more focused concentration work areas
• More prone to back problems
• Require more light to see
Ergonomic Challenge #1
• Ergonomically, laptop computers force bad
posture and should not be used at a desk all
day long.
Ergonomic Challenge #2
• Under-desk Storage
– LEED-mandated lower heights have led to storage
based systems with low open bookshelves. These
are back injuries waiting to happen!are back injuries waiting to happen!
Ergonomic Challenge #3
• Sound in Open Plan cuts both ways
– Distracting to many people
– For newer employees, good way to disseminate
collective knowledge through overheard collective knowledge through overheard
conversations
– For managers, good way to catch mistakes being
made
Ergonomic Challenge #4
• Light and energy usage
– As we age we require geometrically more light to
see
– Lighting uses 26% of average office building power– Lighting uses 26% of average office building power
Age 20 Age 60
Laptop Use Response
• Treat the laptop as a CPU or monitor at most
– Separate keyboard and mouse: Goldtouch Go is
small, light and protected to fit in laptop bag
– Raise monitor height with thin riser– Raise monitor height with thin riser
Continue to provide adjustability
• At the office, even at unassigned desks,
provide at least some that have keyboard trays
and larger monitors on arms with easy plug-in
for laptop without docking.for laptop without docking.
Sit or Stand
• Give people the opportunity to work standing
up as well as sitting down. Even without a
treadmill, standing can help users lose
substantial weight over the course of a year,substantial weight over the course of a year,
as well as
relieve back
pain.
AE Computer Ergonomic Resources
• We work extensively with both Humanscale
and Workrite, as well as Chief, Innovative, ISE,
ESI and others
• We carry our own branded ergonomic product • We carry our own branded ergonomic product
as we source directly from CompX, the largest
OEM manufacturer
• We carry our own lines of electric height
adjustable tables, plus SIS, Mayline and others
Sound Attenuation Resources
• Acoustic workstation panels
• Sound masking system: Lencore Spectra
Lighting Resources
• LED Ambient lighting:
– Waldmann moveable ambient lighting with
occupancy sensor and daylight harvesting sensors
Lighting Resources
• LED Task Lighting
– Newest under-bin and swing arm options from
Workrite, Humanscale, Waldmann & Luxo
Panel and other Modular SystemsTayco Cosmopolitan combined with UP
Artopex Air
Fluid Concepts
Collaborative Video Huddles
• SIMO Corp IMT: Interactive Media Technology
Moveable Walls
• Alur Glass
• Starwall
Challenge: Seating
• If people are moving around and sitting and
standing, what chairs will fit?
• ANSWER: Simple, flexible and supportive