The present publication was born almost fortuitously, although it is due to personal reasons; because in the last days, I have suffered various and strange muscular and bony discomforts; that when analyzing them with "scientific" reasoning to know the possible origin of them, I have inferred that they are due to the long and continuous hours that I spend working in front of the computer; I disposed in uncomfortable positions, undesirable and not according to the "due of being" for my Health.

In this sense, assuming that similar situation is suffered by many people, I decided to do a little research, with the intention of improving my current health situation and to share the results with you in Steemit; hoping to provide basic educational information on the important topic of Ergonomics, aimed at readers of Venezuela and especially for those who communicate in English; and with the intention of serving as a preventive warning about the health problems that result from the deficient situations that are studied by the Ergonomics.

As a preliminary detail, it is my duty to indicate that one of the main purposes of Ergonomics is to guide people, especially workers, to adapt our activities to the requirements of our needs, capabilities and functional possibilities.

Source of the Image: International Ergonomics Association: http://www.iea.cc/whats/

Ergonomy

Paraphrasing Wikipedia (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergonomia), Ergonomics is a discipline that is responsible for studying, evaluating and designing workplaces, routine activities, instruments, tools, machineries, postures, dispositions and tasks, so that they can coincide in the best possible way with the physiological, anatomical and psychological characteristics, as well as the capacities and labor rhythm of the workers involved.

Likewise, as a discipline, Ergonomics aims at functional optimization and the minimization of risks inherent to the three elements that comprise the labor system (human-machine-environment), for which work methods are studied and developed for workers, the technique implicit, due organization and management; to prevent health problems and benefit people in their work activities.

Etymologically, the word "Ergonomy" derives from the Greek word "ergon" which means "work"; therefore, it is inferred as a systematic discipline that is oriented to the worker's full well-being. In addition, by extrapolation of their studies, methods and recommendations, are applicable to all aspects concerning human activities that are carried out in conjunction with instruments, tools and machines.

On the other hand, we have a conceptual reference expressed by the Council of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA: http://www.iea.cc/whats/), which defines textually: "Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance".

Therefore, it can be understood that Ergonomics involves analyzing to try to improve the desirable and necessary conditions of adaptation, safety and functionality of a workplace, instrument, tool, machine, equipment or vehicle, among others, to consolidate them with the characteristics physical, functional, physiological, psychological and skills of the worker or user.

Source of the Images: ILO (International Labour Organization): http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/

Objectives of Ergonomics

As previously specified in the conceptual part and supported by ILO rulings, the primary objective of Ergonomics is to adapt labours, workstation, machinery, vehicles, instruments, tools, equipment or activities to the needs, capabilities and possibilities of workers or users, to avoid affecting their health and improve the quality of personal and work life of the aforementioned worker or user. In this sense, the main objectives of Ergonomics are detailed below:

.- To Study all the factors inherent to the risks and work hazards related to job, machinery, tools, instruments, vehicles, equipment or activities that are carried out; according to the needs, capacities, possibilities and health of the worker or user.

.- To Observe, to identify, to record, to analyze, to plan and to improve actions to reduce risks and occupational hazards in ergonomic terms.

.- To Promote the best conditions of work, service and use for workers and users.

.- To Consolidate the optimal measures necessary to adapt the workstation, position and working conditions, machinery, tools, instruments, equipment, vehicles and/or activities, to the needs, capabilities, possibilities and characteristics of the user or operator.

.- To Investigate, to define and to guide about the existing relationship between the anthropometric measurements of workers and the general characteristics corresponding to their jobs or trades.

.- To Promote the best possible evolution of situations and working conditions, to safeguard the health and safety of the worker, seeking the highest level of comfort, stability, satisfaction, efficiency, effectiveness and quality required.

.- To Serve as a guide for operational control, use and labor during the introduction of new technologies, machinery, tools, instruments, equipment, vehicles and methodologies in business or general organizations, so that they can be adapted without any type of trauma to the needs, capabilities, aptitudes, possibilities and characteristics of workers or users.

.- To Help with the training of workers with respect to the effective and careful attention to their physical integrity, quality of life and the work improvements they deserve.

Source of the Image: Wikipedia: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergonomía

Ergonomics For My Health

After analyzing everything previously detailed, then it is clear that to take care of my health it is considered necessary to apply the following recommendations:

.- First of all, I must take into account the definitions, information, details, suggestions and images presented in this publication, on Wikipedia, on the ILO website and in many other articles related to this topic; in order to put into practice the pertinent indications to improve in all sense my Ergonomic conditions and thus minimize the risks and dangers to my health.

.- In second order, it is necessary to take long breaks of preventive rest in my daily activities of "writer/reader/programmer/player" in front of my computer, to internalize the situation of my "postures" and positions, reduce fatigue, analyze and correct my bad habits and do everything that is necessary, with the intention of preventing the recurrence of my problems and muscular, bone and joints discomfort.

.- Thirdly, I must keep my body well aligned while I'm sitting in the chair in front of the computer; get straight and align head, shoulders and hips in almost perfect vertical line, avoiding crossing the legs, or leaning to the sides, or bend back, neck or shoulders forward.

.- Fourth, I must rationally understand that if after applying the previous suggestions, improve my work habits and sitting properly in the chair in front of my computer, If I still feel pain in the neck, head, back, arms, legs and joints; then it is mandatory to understand that to make the discomfort disappear, I have to buy a new chair that is more ergonomic and comfortable for me.

Source of the Image: Giphy: https://giphy.com

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