Innovative Ergonomic Solutions: 2023 Trends

As workplaces evolve and technology advances, ergonomic solutions are becoming increasingly important for businesses looking to create healthy and productive work environments. 

What are the latest trends in ergonomics for 2023? They’re not “trends” at all – they’re classics. 

Just like in fashion -- there are some staples that never go out of style. The best approach to ergonomics still involves providing comfort, support, and ease of use for employees. 

By investing in these solutions, and recognizing they’re never going out of style, organizations can help their teams be as comfortable, safe, and productive as possible while working.

Let's explore some of the benefits of a well-designed ergonomic work environment as well as some of the most innovative ergonomic solutions and resources available. 

What Is Ergonomics?

Let’s review: Ergonomics is an interdisciplinary field of science that focuses on improving working conditions and products to optimize user comfort, safety, efficiency, and productivity. 

Essentially, ergonomics addresses the physical abilities and limitations of the human body in relation to our tasks, tools, and environments.

Why Is Ergonomics Important? 

The purpose of ergonomics in the workplace is mainly to prevent injuries, especially musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).

Soft tissue injuries caused by exposure to repetitive force, motion, and vibration, and poor body positioning. Common MSDs include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome 
• Tendonitis 
• Bursitis 
• Herniated discs 
• Trigger finger 

To help prevent these injuries, everyone – from team managers to building designers to product engineers – should look at the relationship between our tools, tasks, and environments, and the human body’s abilities and limitations.

Classic Ergonomics: Always on Trend

Ergonomics applies to any workplace, whether administrative, manufacturing, medical, or construction-based. Good ergonomics attempts to focus design on reducing physical stress on workers’ bodies and preventing MSDs with:

• Tools & Equipment
• Furniture
• Training
  
  

Tools & Equipment

For almost every profession, there are tools and equipment being designed with ergonomics in mind, such as:

• Hand tools (hammers, utility knives, drills, etc.)
• Keyboards
• Mouses
• Keyboard trays
• Mouse trays
• Monitor arms
• Computer carts
• Book lifts
• Multi-monitor setups
• Blood draw armrests
• Sit-to-stand kits

Furniture

Healthier, happier employees are more productive, whether they’re sitting, standing, or on the move. One of the benefits of a well-designed ergonomic work environment is having furnishings that directly impact this.

Examples of ergonomic furniture include:

• Height-adjustable desks
• Chairs with armrests
• Stools 
• Footrests
• Rolling filing cabinets

Training

Ergonomics training is a tremendously important piece in creating a more ergonomic workplace. Even with all the ergonomically-designed tools, equipment, and furniture in the world, without proper training, you won’t get back nearly as much as you’ve invested.

The best ergonomics training programs help everyone in a work environment understand: 

• The ideas and execution of ergonomic principles
• Proper use of equipment, tools, and machines
• Good lifting techniques
• Warning signs and early symptoms of MSDs

Bringing It All Together

You know what ergonomics is, and why it’s important, and what ergonomically-designed tools, equipment, and furniture are available. Now how do you make it all come together? With something even more classic than ergonomics – a checklist.

Ergonomic assessment checklists help employers evaluate the physical environment of their workplace, including:

• Workstations, tools, and equipment – Are these designed for individual adjustments and best ergonomic practices? 

• How employees use them – Have team members been trained to fit their work environment to themselves and not vice versa, i.e. adjusting their workstations to their bodies and not their bodies to their workstations? 

• Lighting – Often overlooked, it’s important that lighting be sufficient to prevent eye strain. Mitigate the glare of overhead lighting with task lights. 

• Temperature – If your workspace is too hot, it can cause dehydration and fatigue. Too cold: stiff joints and muscle strain.

By conducting regular ergonomic assessments, you can proactively identify potential hazards and make necessary changes.

It’s best to create a comprehensive ergonomics program including:

• Assessing current workplace practices 
• Providing training for employees on proper body mechanics
• Creating an ergonomics policy
• Developing an action plan

Think Outside the Box

We’ve covered the classics of ergonomics, but while you’re performing your workplace ergonomic assessment, keep in mind the following features in your work environment that could be causing employee strain: 

• Heavy lids
• Heavy doors
• Heavy hinged countertops

Integrating counterbalance hinges with weight mitigation and motion control allows users to safely operate equipment with heavy lids or doors by decreasing the amount of force needed to lift or open them. 

Mindful mechanical motion control system integration also reduces the risk of repetitive motion injuries. 

See the safety features of our counterbalance hinge motion controls:

Ergonomic Solutions for Your Workspaces 

There are a variety of ergonomic solutions available to help create healthier and more productive work environments. 

With the right furniture, tools, and training, you can provide your teams with comfortable workspaces that reduce the risk of MSDs and other injuries while promoting productivity. 

By investing in these classic ergonomics solutions now, your business will reap the benefits for years to come.

Additional Ergonomic Resources

Need more ergonomic resources? Download our free Manager’s Equipment Guide for more information on making your workplace safer:

This piece was originally published in May 2022 and was recently updated to reflect industry trends.