The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society designated October as Global Ergonomics Month back in 2003. Their mission is to create awareness the science of adapting work, equipment, and tools to the user. Most people think about the workplace – specifically computer users – when we talk about ergonomics. However, by implementing ergonomics in the home, we can work more productively, more comfortably, and are less prone to injury.

Home Office

You might not spend as long in your home office as you do in your work office however, it should still be comfortable and promote good posture. The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers has a great interactive guide for setting chair and desk height base on your body measurement. Think about who uses your home office. Do your children spend time on the computer? If so, consider using adjustable height chairs and desks to encourage proper sitting techniques. Smaller people may benefit from an under-desk foot rest because it helps improve circulation in the legs. Taller people might appreciate a computer screen riser so they don’t have to strain their neck muscles by always looking down at the screen.

Kitchen

Ceramic tile floors may look fashionable but they can be hard on your feet, knees, and back if you have to stand for a long time. Anti-fatigue mats can help. For the kitchen, look for ones that are easy to clean and have a non-slip bottom.

Sharpen your knives regularly. Sharp blades reduce the amount of force needed to slice, dice, and chop. Electric knives and food processors are an option you do a lot of work and want to reduce strain on your hands and wrists.

To reduce the need for bending, and lifting, keep frequently used kitchen items within arm’s reach – especially heavy appliances and pots. If you are in the market for a kitchen re-model, consider installing large drawers in lower cabinets instead of cupboards. You will avoid having to crawl under counters and into cabinets to find what you need. You can also retro-fit cupboards with sliding drawer units.

Hobbies

Gardening tools can be hard on hands and wrists. Choose tools with handles that fit your hands. Rather than bending over and straining your back, use a gardening stool or work on your hands and knees using a kneeling mat. This foldable stool flips upside down to act as a kneeling bench with handles to help you stand up.

If you do needlework, sew, or quilt invest in ergonomic tools that encourage neutral joint postures. Rotary cutters cause less strain on hands than scissors – and this model can be used easily by left or right-handed people. Adjust the height of your ironing board so you do not have to slouch when ironing.

Just like with your home office, set up your hobby space to support good posture habits. Don’t  hunch or slouch over your work. Do not twist at the hips, back, or neck when working. Take frequent breaks to relax your muscles.

Housecleaning and Maintenance

No one truly doing household chores but you can make them easier and do them more quickly by thinking about ergonomics. Take the time to adjust the height of the vacuum cleaner handle. Align your body with the path of the vacuum and do not over-extend your reach. Pay attention to your posture too as hunching over while vacuuming puts stress your back and neck. Think about adjusting the handle lengths of your brooms, mops, snow shovels and lawnmowers too.

Tools such as hammers, saws, and drills, etc. should be of a size to provide maximum power with minimum strength. For example, all fingers should wrap around the handle of a hammer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in conjunction with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) produced a guide to selecting ergonomic hand tools (pdf).

Being uncomfortable while performing the tasks makes them less enjoyable. You will be more likely to procrastinate or avoid doing the job altogether. When you take ergonomics into account you will work more comfortably and hence be more productive and less likely to suffer from injury.

If you need some assistance to organize to implement ergonomics in the home, contact Out of Chaos.

Image by Home Depot Canada