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In a learning environment, ergonomic principles dictate an environment that fits well with the way learners think and behave. Learner-compatible environments and products have been shown to decrease fatigue, human error, stress and discomfort.
According to Ajay Deyal, CEO of furniture provider OFIS, “Ergonomics dictates many basic principles of environment design.When it comes to furniture, there has been extensive research on relative heights of chairs and tables, key areas of support for the physique, and the importance of good posture in the classroom and workplace.”
While there might be ergonomic recommendations aplenty, there seems to be a dearth of enforceable guidelines, not just in the Middle East but worldwide.According to Harout Kalmajain, Design Manager at furniture provider INTERMETAL, “As a designer, experience teaches you to incorporate ergonomics into standard designs. For instance, back support, leg positioning and weighted bases to prevent chair toppling are important considerations when producing equipment. However, there are no set standards for ergonomics, and this shortcoming is not just restricted to the Middle East.
“Well-designed products are usually ergonomic, but there are no guidelines that might set an ergonomic product apart from a non-ergonomic one.”
A lack of specific guidelines means that there is no legislative or watchdog pressure on suppliers to deliver products designed to reduce strain and fatigue in a learning environment. This can leave unwary buyers open to designs that may hamper learning by inducing discomfort in the long run.
The ergonomic grey area also induces uncertainty when the debate moves to accountability. If non-ergonomic design environments hamper learning, or at worst cause injury, it is hard to delineate responsibility. Is the supplier responsible, or should the institution be taken to task for its purchase decisions?
Though there not be much supervision or legislation for ergonomic concerns, there are recommendations of best practice that buyers can use as a checklist when making purchase decisions.
| ERGONOMIC CHECKLIST FOR FURNITURE ARTICLES |
 • No pressure should be caused by the front front edge of the chair seat under the thighs • When seated, chair design should ensure that the upper body is upright • The lower back should be firmly supported by a backrest • Desk placement and height should be such that elbows and upper arm are kept close to the body • Blackboards and visual materials should be arranged such that the head is upright or slightly inclined forward with minimum strain on the neck • Chair seats should curve downwards slightly at the front lip |
| ERGONOMIC CHECKLIST FOR LIGHTING |
| • General background should at least be at 200 lux (1 lux = 1 lumen/square meter = 0.093 foot-candles) • Routine learning requires approximately 400 lux • Poor contrast work, such as close reading can require up to 600 lux • Overhead lighting should have glare reducers fitted • Lighting should be slanted sideways as opposed to front full on to reduce reflection  |
| ERGONOMIC CHECKLIST FOR FLEXIBILITY AND CUSTOMISATION |
“Ergonomical for one person may not be ergonomical for another. The human physique varies, and so demands placed on furniture settings increase.For instance, every classroom will have some individuals who are exceptionally tall or large for their age group, and some who may be smaller than the average.We usually recommend that buyers include at least two or three adjustable chair and table setups per classroom so that they maintain the flexibility needed to cater to different learners,” says Deyal. Flexibility is an important element when considering ergonomics for learning settings.The process of environment design and furniture acquisition should not assume a one-size-fits-all approach. |
| ERGONOMIC CHECKLIST FOR IT COMPATIBILITY |
| As information technology becomes an integral part of educational settings, buyers and suppliers are faced with the task of
ensuring that the environment and its individual components can absorb IT infrastructure. • Buyers are switching to IT-ready tables that have necessary cabling for laptop use • Cable trays and wire passages are becoming common in classroom furniture • If educational suppliers go wireless, router positioning must take into account interference and user positioning • Laptop or desktop use requires horizontal forearms and straight wrists for maximum comfort |
