Ergonomics

How it is used

Used in workstation design, safety and health. Engineers improve the ergonomics of a workstation, carry out ergonomic assessments and look for poor postures, heavy lifting and repeated movements. The adjective is 'ergonomic': an ergonomic chair.

Example sentences

1. Raising the table by 15 cm made a big difference to the ergonomics of the packing station.

2. We do an ergonomic assessment of every new workstation before it goes live.

Common collocations

• ergonomic assessment
• improve ergonomics
• poor ergonomics
• ergonomic design

Related terms

• anthropometryThe measurement of the human body, such as height, reach and hand size, used to design workstations, tools and equipment that fit the people who use them.
• musculoskeletal disorderAn injury or painful condition of the muscles, tendons, joints, nerves or back, often caused by repeated movements, heavy lifting or awkward postures at work. Shortened to MSD.
• manual handlingLifting, carrying, pushing, pulling or holding loads using the body rather than machines; one of the most common causes of back injuries at work.
• human factorsThe study of how people's abilities, limits and behavior affect their work with machines, systems and procedures, used to design work that reduces errors.
• workstationOne place on a line or in a work area where a worker or machine carries out a set group of tasks, with the tools and parts needed for them.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• ergonomics · Interior Design