The Apple iMac and the Freedom Arm

The Apple iMac and the Freedom Arm

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

July 22, 2013

Have you ever been frustrated with the lack of space that your current iMac monitor mount provides you with on your desk? Have you ever wished you had more space at your desk to effectively complete other tasks while simultaneously working on your iMac?

If your answers to these questions are yes, then the Freedom Arm by Ergotech Group is the solution for you! The Freedom Arm for the iMac is a unique monitor mounting arm that easily mounts to any standard desk, frees up the valuable desk space that you deserve, and allows your iMac monitor to move freely around the workspace. With the Freedom Arm at your disposal, you can sit in a perfectly comfortable upright position at your desk and bring your iMac monitor to you with “just the flick of a wrist”, according to Sarnie McCaskill of NBucketTV. By enabling you to extend your iMac screen out directly in front of you and position it at any angle that is most comfortable for you, the Freedom Arm allows you to work in complete ergonomic comfort as the versatility it creates for your iMac prevents any strain on your eyes, neck, shoulders, or back.

In a YouTube product review video, Sarnie McCaskill mounts his iMac using the Freedom Arm and then demonstrates the ease with which he is able to move his iMac once it is mounted. Using only one hand, he marvels, “I can move my monitor wherever I want on my desk, however I wanna move it. See that? Easy. [The Freedom Arm] gives you all kinds of movement. […] It’s just one of the best products I’ve ever reviewed.” McCaskill gives the Freedom Arm a 6 out of 5 and calls it a “must have”. At the end of the video, he concludes, “This device, I can’t see myself without one of these now.”

The Freedom Armline offers a single monitor solution for the iMac. With this solution, you can adjust your iMac monitor height, enjoy full range of motion for your iMac monitor, and be able to tilt it up 90°, down 45°, pan 180°, and rotate 360°! Ergotech provides you with everything you need to install the Freedom Arm, including the adaptor plate for the iMac (a $39 value). All Freedom Arms come with a 3 Year Warranty!

For more information about Ergotech’s Freedom Arm line, please visit http://ergotechgroup.com/monitor-desk-wall-mount-arms/

To watch Sarnie McCaskill’s product review video for the Freedom Arm, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2Q53ZJ3RiE

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Proper Workstation Ergonomics

Proper Workstation Ergonomics

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

July 2, 2013

In our last post, we discussed ergonomics and how the implementation of proper workstation ergonomics has been seen to significantly increase employee productivity and satisfaction. So let’s now go over the specific guidelines of proper workstation ergonomics in an office setting by taking a look at how an individual’s workspace should ideally be set up.

As you proceed, try and compare the ergonomically correct workstation setup that is described below with that of your own workspace.

First, let’s discuss the ideal desk chair. In an office setting, fully adjustable chairs are essential. Not only should the seat height be adjustable, but you should also have the ability to adjust the lumbar support, the arm rests, and the seat pan of your desk chair with ease. The seat height should be adjusted so that the entire soles of both of your feet can rest flat on the floor, the highest point of the seat should be just below your kneecaps, and you should be able to bend your legs comfortably at the knees. The height of the backrest should be modified to ensure firm support of the small of your lower back. The height of the armrests should allow your elbows to rest lightly at the same height as the keyboard in order to allow your wrists to be in a neutral position while typing. The upper arms should be generally straight up and down, while the forearms are horizontal or angled slightly downward. Finally, the depth of the seat should be altered by moving the backrest forward or backward in order to enable complete and comfortable thigh support. Ideally, the chair should have five or more legs at the base and a full 360 degree swivel.

Next, you should have adequate space on your work surface so that your most frequently used items can be conveniently and comfortably reached. The proper placement of your computer monitor on your work surface will help prevent eye strain, neck pain, and shoulder fatigue. First, your monitor screen should be strategically positioned so as to prevent any overhead or window light from causing a glare. In order to avoid straining your neck, the top edge of your monitor screen should be exactly at eye level. This will allow you to see everything on your screen clearly without having to look up at all. Next, your monitor should be placed approximately 18 to 28 inches, about an arm’s length, away from your eyes, and your body should be perfectly centered in front of your monitor and keyboard. Additionally, you should position a document holder either between your monitor screen and keyboard platform, or right next to your monitor screen on the same side as your dominant eye and at approximately the same angle and height as the screen. This will allow you to store any important documents within easy reach so as to avoid any unnecessary twisting and prevent from painfully straining your neck.

Regarding a keyboard and mouse for your workstation, you should first select a mouse that fits comfortably within your hand and is as flat as possible so as to minimize any strain on your wrist. Your keyboard and mouse should be placed together on a platform directly in front of you and beneath your monitor. This platform should easily move from side to side, up and down, in and out, and lock securely in place. The height of this platform should allow you to rest your hands lightly on your keyboard or mouse with your forearms still supported comfortably by your chair’s armrests. It should allow you to keep your wrists straight and maintain approximately a 90 degree angle between your upper arms and forearms while operating both keyboard and mouse. Your wrists should not rest while typing, but rather they should remain in a neutral position. Finally, your keyboard and mouse should have a wrist rest which will only be used when you are taking a break from typing or operating the mouse.

Generally speaking, you should try to avoid remaining in one position for an extended period of time and repeating the same motions over and over again. Try to vary your tasks in order to switch up your body position and encourage different movements. The space beneath your work surface should have sufficient room above your legs to allow for different positions, such as the comfortable crossing of your legs. Keep in mind that the human body is not designed to sit still for long periods of time, even if you are in perfect posture. You should be able to take regular breaks to stand up, stretch your muscles, and even walk around as often as you like in order to increase energy levels, stimulate circulation and brain activity, fight fatigue, and keep you alert and focused throughout your workday. 

With all of that said, how does this description of the ideal workstation compare with your own working environment?? If you have noticed a significant amount of similarities between the two, then you are well on your way to a healthy and productive work style!! If you have found more differences than similarities, you might be asking yourself…

How can I improve my workspace to make it more ergonomically correct?

Or in other words…

What can I do to improve my performance, safety, comfort, and satisfaction at work everyday???

I have three words for you: Invest in Ergotech.

Ergotech Group, Inc. is the leading full service provider of ergonomic workspace solutions.  Ergotech’s innovative solutions are designed to make the workplace more comfortable, more functional, and more productive.  Ergotech’s product line includes a folding desk stand and protective case for the iPad, single and dual monitor mount solutions, large multi-screen mounting solutions for up to 15 flat panel monitors, desk stand systems, keyboard tray and arm combinations, CPU and Laptop ergonomic solutions, and a wide range of desk accessories. In addition, Ergotech is now introducing the all new Sit Stand, an easy to use and assemble adjustable workstation that enables you to raise your work surface up to 20 inches off your desk, thus giving you the freedom to choose whether you want to sit or stand at your desk at any given moment! Ergotech’s Sit Stand has the greatest total weight capacity and the highest range of vertical travel of any adjustable workstation, and it is the only electrically actuated Sit Stand Modular Monitor Mounting System on the market today!!!

For more information about Ergotech’s innovative ergonomic workspace solutions, please visit the Ergotech Freedom Line website.

 

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Ergonomics – What Is It, and Why Is It Important?

Ergonomics – What Is It, and Why Is It Important?

Written by Julia Cavaliere – Ergotech Group, INC.

July 1, 2013

In order to work efficiently throughout the day, it is important that employees have everything they might need in their working environment to optimize their productivity, avoid any illness and injury risk, and ensure that they are comfortable and satisfied.  This is where ergonomics comes in to play.  Ergonomics in the workplace is the ability to maximize productivity by minimizing employee fatigue and discomfort.  Ergonomics examines the relationship between workers and their environments by looking at what kind of work an individual does, what tools he/she uses, and his/her level of satisfaction with the work environment.  The goal of ergonomics is to find the best fit between an individual and the conditions of his/her work environment.  Specifically speaking, ergonomics aims to improve employee performance, safety, comfort, and satisfaction, and also reduce stress and eliminate injuries and disorders associated with muscle overuse, bad posture, repeated movements, and overall discomfort in the workplace.  Ergonomic practices are considered successful as long as the following three points remain true:

1. High levels of productivity are maintained
2. Painful employee injuries are avoided and expensive worker compensation and health care costs are decreasing
3. Worker satisfaction and comfort are increasing

Ergonomics emphasizes the importance that all furniture and accessories in the workplace, including the desk chair, the workstation itself, and even the lighting, should be adjustable in order to satisfy each individual worker’s needs.  The ideal workstation should allow you to work in natural positions that will minimize any strain on your body.  A workstation that does not meet your physical needs will most likely result in you assuming uncomfortable, unnatural, and awkward positions, which may ultimately lead to musculoskeletal injury as well as the performance of unproductive and inefficient work.

Studies have shown that ergonomic-related injuries typically account for approximately $20 billion in worker’s compensation costs each year. $20 BILLION!  That is not a small chunk of change!!!  Thankfully, new studies done by the Office Ergonomics Research Committee (OERC) have shown average productivity increases of 18% in employees who are provided with appropriately designed ergonomic furniture and are trained to use it properly.  Such significant increases in productivity levels among employees are not only a result of their use of well-designed ergonomic furniture but also of their successful implementation of proper workstation ergonomics.  Since promoting proper ergonomics in the workplace can be seen to result in increased employee productivity and satisfaction, keep an eye out for our next post in which we will go over the specific guidelines of proper workstation ergonomics!!

For more information about innovative ergonomic workspace solutions, please visit the Ergotech Group Freedom Line website: www.ergotechgroup.com

 

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