An insight

into Ergonomics

ERGONOMICSLevent Çaglar

Head of Ergonomics Department

June 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?

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

Activities of FIRA Ergonomics

Workplace design & evaluation

Compliance with Health & Safety Regulations

DSE

Manual Handling

Ergonomics risk assessments and solutions

Compliance with regulations

Risk assessments

1

2

3

4

Audit

Advice, Compliance, Verification, Certification

Product and workplace compliance (BS 8300)

Equality Act (previously DDA)

Working with Facilities managers & Procurement

Development of technical /ergonomics furniture specification and evaluation of bids

Furniture selection / user trials

Furniture Spec development & assessment

Furniture Selection Process

Preparation of tender documents

Delivery and Installation

Ordering

Final decision making

Evaluation of shortlisted products

Shortlist Companies/Products

Evaluation of bid documents

Preparation of tender documents

Specification Development User Needs Organisational

Needs Special Needs

Sustainability Needs

BS EN ISO Standards

Criteria for objective evaluation (Weighted)

Prototype workstations

Controlled user evaluations

Real life user trials

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

BS ISO 24496

Ergonomics testing

Ergonomics Evaluations of products:

Appraisals

Fitness for purpose

Risk analysis - assessment

Ergonomics Excellence Award

Product evaluations

Pushchairs

Highchairs

Bunk Beds

Cot Beds

Luggage

User trials for any product assessment

Catering for the aging population

Mobility scooters Riser/recliners

User trials for any product assessment

Risk assessment/product liability

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

Shows that the product:

Excels in ergonomic features

is manufactured under quality

systems

and in an ecologically responsible

manner

FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

BS EN ISO 9241 - 5

FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

User trials

Pressure mapping of chairs

Pressure mapping beds

Posture Analysis - Spinal Alignment

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 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

Freedom

Humanscale

Movy

Intestuhl

Laptop holder

Humanscale

Logic 400

RH Chairs

Winners of

FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Award

Arrow

Ergonomic CafeQuick Stand Lite

Humanscale

Sao Paulo

Kusch & Co

Rossa

Ava Sleep

Product design & development

Research

2001: Survey of School children in England.

Design Guides

Bariatric Seating

Expert witness service

Activities of FIRA Ergonomics

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

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

Ergonomics

Educational

Furniture

Office Furniture

Domestic/Contract

Furniture

Kitchens

FIRA Ergonomics standards activities

General Ergonomics

Ergonomics specific to clients

Furniture Ergonomics

Benefits to users

Health & Safety Regulations

Risk assessments

Manual handling

Training, seminars and workshops

Meet the teamMeet the team

Levent Çaglar

Head of Ergonomics Department – Senior Ergonomist

Alex Huckle

Ergonomist

Claire Clark

Ergonomist