Covid-19 has changed the working pattern of the whole world in every sector. Organizations have allowed their employees to work from home due to COVID-19 severity. With more and more people working from home will have to adapt to the new normal. Which means no comfortable desk, chair, desktop or other accessories associated with a desk job.
People might be working for long hours in a very uncomfortable position which might convert into the bad posture or may also get worsen with time and cause physical pain. Being a physiotherapist I am aware that many organizations provide and consult for ergonomics. But during this pandemic, this aspect should not be forgotten in working from home. Bad posture can cause neck pain, back pain discomfort in arms, elbows, knees which if not taken care of at an early stage will convert into ailments.
We can find the definition of ergonomics from many references but the most relevant which I found is “An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely”.
One Of The Basic Principles Of Taking Care Of This New Normal Is Also ‘N-E-W’
N– Neutral Posture: Attain a proper posture while performing sitting or standing work, a neutral seated posture should include sitting with the neck straight, shoulders straight down loosely at the sides, elbows at a right angle, wrists straight, low back supported on the backrest of the chair, 90 degree at the hips, 90 degree at the knees, and feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.
E – Eye and Elbow Height: Whether seated and standing – ensure that the keyboard (ASDF home row) and mouse are positioned at the elbow level. The top of the monitor should be at or slightly below eye height.
W – Work Area: Keep items that are used often in the primary work zone (the area when elbows are at the sides and the hands are moved side to side) keep items that are used less often in the secondary work zone (area within the outstretched arms). In the office, the keyboard and mouse should be in the primary work zone, centered with the user and the monitors.
All the ergonomics principles are applied for increasing individual productivity and thus these things should be continued considering WHF concept. Though it is not possible to convert it in one day, month, or even a year we need to adapt to this so that work-related discomfort does not happen. So let us understand our individual ergonomics requirement and adapt accordingly to this new normal situation.
As a very old saying says “Prevention is better than cure”. Yes indeed! So friends take care of your health, take all precautions of those who have started working from the office and also those who are working from home.
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