Ergonomic design is increasingly common in offices, but there's also a place for ergonomics in the home. In fact, the American Society of Interior Designers says "ergonomics is rapidly emerging as a 'must' for workplace design and home design as well."

In recent years, as the numbers of computers increased in the workplace, so did reports of maladies associated with their use: repetitive stress injury, cumulative trauma disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, eye strain. Suddenly, "ergonomics" entered the national vocabulary as companies battled to keep sick days and potential lawsuits to a minimum.

Ergonomics is derived from the Greek words "ergon," which means work, and "nomos," which means laws. It has come to denote what the International Ergonomics Association calls the "science of work." In practice, it means making a workspace fit your body.

At home, the most obvious place to begin is the home office. Recent studies have found that most people desire, or already have, an area of their home set aside as office space. If you're buying a new home, you should consider ergonomic design from the start. If you've already incorporated an office into your home, check to make sure it's designed with the bodies of your family members in mind.

That's one of the first problems with ergonomics in the home. If you're the only person to occupy your work area at the office, you can set things up exactly as you want them and never change. At home, your office space might be used by many members of the family from preschoolers to your spouse. Adjustability is key.

Researchers at Cornell University's ergonomics program say spending a lot on computer equipment and disregarding the workstation is like "buying a Ferrari and then buying the cheapest tires possible. It just won't work in the long run."

Among Cornell's recommendations for a safe work environment:

• Have a stable work surface that is adjustable in height if adults and children will share the space.

• Buy a comfortable chair with at least height and back support adjustment. Make sure feet can be firmly planted on the floor or footrest.

• A height-adjustable keyboard tray is best for keeping elbows at a 90-degree angle and allowing the wrists to remain in a straight, neutral position.

• Find a keyboard and pointing device that is comfortable and fits the hands of those who will use it. Conventional keyboards may be too large for young children, and kids sometimes find trackballs easier to use than a mouse.

• Place the monitor directly in front of the user. Eyes should be in line with a point on the screen that is 2 to 3 inches below the top of the monitor.

• Indirect lighting in combination with a task light works best. Make sure you cannot see the light source when you look at the screen. Also, always use a light, even though a computer screen is self-illuminating. There should be no glare on the screen.

• Practice good posture. This is an especially important lesson to teach children. Sit up straight. Keep your thighs level, parallel to the ground.

• No matter how good the workstation setup, take frequent breaks. The Cornell Web site also offers a set of workstation exercises that should be done at least once an hour.

In addition, Cornell's ergonomics site offers what it calls "The Real Truth About The Most Popular Ergonomic Products." It's well worth a look. (See item #8.)

Lessons from the home office can be applied elsewhere in the house. For instance, don't take lighting for granted. Make sure you have adequate light for reading the newspaper or children's books. Consider task lighting in the kitchen or hobby room to reduce eye strain and keep hands safe.

Don't forget about ergonomics when you walk out the door. Planning to rake leaves this fall? The American Chiropractic Association advises you stretch before you begin, stand as straight as possible as you rake, bend at the knees as you pick up piles of leaves, and take a rest at least every half hour. If you'll have snow to shovel this winter, many of the same principles apply.

A final warning for the kids: watch what's in those backpacks. Experts now say a backpack can safely weigh up to 15 percent of body weight, except for very young children, and never more than 20 percent. Choose a pack that has wide, padded straps and make sure the kids wear both shoulder straps to better distribute weight. The backpack should be positioned just below the shoulders and rest on the hips and pelvis.

Carol Ochs is a Washington-based reporter who covers new home trends.

Published: October 9, 2001

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.