What does ergonomics mean?

The term ergonomics comes from the Greek words ‘ergon’ (work) and ‘nomos’ (law). Ergonomics generally refers to the science of designing and arranging the things people use at work so that they interact with them as comfortably and efficiently as possible. The goal of ergonomics in the workplace is to optimise people's workspaces and equipment (machines, tools, etc.) in order to improve their working conditions.  Specifically, that means identifying the best arrangement and timing of work processes and the most sensible configuration of the equipment they interact with in order to achieve the best possible conditions.

Furthermore, it means continuously improving the equipment they use so that they can achieve the highest quality and most cost-effective results. Workers should not be put under too much physical strain and should certainly not come to any harm, even if they do the same job over a period of many years. According to Professor Peter Schwarz, a German physicist working in the Faculty of Life Sciences at Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, workplaces with good ergonomic design also create greater job satisfaction and increased levels of acceptance among the staff, ‘That, in turn, results in fewer errors, less absenteeism and hence greater efficiency.’