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