EVALUATION OF A FLAT ROOM FROM ERGONOMIC ASPECTSJOAO VICTOR PARODI DA SILVA NEPTUN: IBKVFR

1. INTRODUCTIONThe room analyzed is composed by two ambients: first it functions as a bedroom and the second as a living room/studying room. Theres no separation between them. After the analysis, it was notice some usual problems regarding the ergonomic aspects. In this report, it will be listed such problems and given the proper solutions.

2. TROUBLES FROM ERGONOMIC ASPECTS

Picture 1 1 The heating system is quite close to the armchair and the office chair. This leads all the hot air flow directly to the back and side of the chairs, respectively, causing an uncomforting situation. Besides that, the noise generated sometimes by the radiator can be annoying for the person whos working or studying at the table.

2 The chair is small and completely uncomfortable since the person can change his sitting position. Besides that, the material of the chair is hard wood and the back of the chair do not facilitate for a correct sitting posture.

3 The work-desk is small, not leaving much space for the arms or to put other items such a notebooks, papers and other necessary items.

Picture 2

4 Theres only a lighting center point in the room. At night when the artificial lighting is necessary, because the lack of directional lights, theres shadow and half-light along some parts of the room. This affects directly the person whos working at the desk or reading something on the sofa, chairs.

5 The big window brings too much natural light inside the room. So, because of the position of the desk in the room, it causes glare on the monitor. Besides that, this much natural clarity affects the person who may have to sleep during the day.

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6 This window provides a direct light to the bed what may cause some uncomfort during the sleeping time, even worse if the person has to sleep during the day.

7 The bed has two main problems as Ive notice during the analysis. First is the space between the side of the bed and the walls: it is too small in one of the sides and in part of the other side too. The second is the height of the bed, which is quite short. This causes a stress mostly when getting out of the bed.

3. SOLUTIONSAfter the whole analysis of the room from the ergonomics aspects, some solutions can be applied to correct or in some cases reduce the problems found.1 Regarding the heating, it may be difficult to move its position since is connected to the gas and electric house system. In this case, would be better and easier to move the location the desk and both chairs, further from the radiator.

2 In order to provide comfort for the user and correct the sitting posture, would be advised to change the chair for an ergonomic office chair with higher backboard, arms support, ability of rotation, wheels and comfortable material.

3 The solution for the desk is more or less the same of the chair, change to a bigger desk.

4 Theres two possible solutions for the center light problem. First, increase the power of the center light, in order to cover better the whole room. The second is use some lampshades and a table lamp for the desk. That would give the directional lights necessary for the person.

5 Although theres already a curtain on the window, would be advised to change it to a darker one, so would reduce the glare caused in the monitor and would give much comfort in sleeping. Another thing for correcting the glare is changing the monitors position to be in the opposite direction of the window.

6 The solution for this window, is install a curtain, so it will block the direct natural light from outside.

7 First for avoiding the small side spaces out of the bed, would be better to move the bed for the other ambient that is bigger. Second, for correcting the height theres two options: use base supports on the floor or change to a higher mattress. Both options would improve the height of the bed, giving comfort and making it less difficult to get up from the bed.