Planning An

Ergonomically Sound
Office Environment

The Office environment directly affects the

quality and quantity of work produced as
well as the morale of all workers. Consider
for a moment you own experiences with
these common environmental problems:
Sitting in a unadjustble chair one with no padding on the seat or back for

four more hours while keyboarding

Attending class during the hottest summer days in which the room was not

air conditioned, the images shown on a screen from an overhead projector

were to small to read, the glare from sunlight invaded your space because
of the absence of window shades, and the whispering of students prevented
you hearing the instructors lecture.

Operating a video display terminal in a setting in which bright fluorescent

ceiling lights as well as reflections from the outdoor sunlight on your

terminal screen caused eyestrain

Undergoing long periods of close-concentration work in a noisy location

near the front door of an office which hampered the quality of your work,
making you irritable and frustrated

ERGONOMIC NEEDS
IN THE OFFICE :
1. Human activities performed in the office
2. Applications of social psychology dealing with human behavior

on the job
3. The main environmental features that affect office operations

Human Activities in
the Office :
1.

Cognitive Activities that are largely mental in nature and revolve

around the use of knowledge or judgment. These activities range
from simple tasks, such as proofreading, to complexities included
in decision making.

2.

Social activities involving the interpersonal task of two or more

persons. The activities range from simple duties, such as
telephoning to more complex activities such as conferring

3. Procedural Those activities referring to the pre defined work

steps followed by office employees, such as filling out forms, which
may be performed simultaneously with other activities , such as
reading and writing.
4. Physical Activities that require the use of human energy.
Keyboarding and filing or retrieving office records are common
examples

Human Behavior
Problems on the
Job
Human behavior problems can cause difficulties for the office manager because
these problems are largely intangible and emotional in nature. Many of the
problems involve the worker as an individual and deal with status, the need for
belonging and the fulfillment of motivational needs. Problems can also relate to
social conditions , such as the degree of satisfaction employees have in working
with and for others.

Major Ambient
Factors in the
Office:
When we speak of ambient factors in the office, we refer to those
conditions that surround and affect the performance of work and
the development of employee satisfaction with the work and
workplace. Many of these factors are Physical since they involve
the human senses, such as sight hearing and touch. Other factors,
such as the security that comes from working in a safe place and
the feelings that arise from visual comfort and working in an
attractive setting, are psychological in nature.

The Surface
Environment
The Surface Environment consist of those physical features in the
office that are an essential part of the building, its layout and the
work performed. Included in this environment are walls, ceilings,
floors, windows, pillars, furniture, and equipment and the
coverings placed on them. Another item in this environment is the
Plantscaping integrated within the building. Each of these
Physical items has a direct effect on the psychological state of the
office staff and consequently on productivity and moral.

Effective Use of
Color
Color affects our emotions (Mood and Attitudes) and comfort in the
workplace. In addition, color has a direct bearing on the effectiveness of
lightning conditions. Therefore rather than choose colors according to
personal preference, AOMs should base their color selections upon a
serious study of the following factors:
1.The work functions that will be performed in the office area
2. The physical location of the office
3. The type of emotion desire from employees

Human Reactions
to Color
Color sets the mood of an office staff. In this sense, colors can
make us feel hot or cold, happy or distressed and satisfied or
dissatisfied with out work space, depending on the hue of the
color, the lightness of the color.

Furniture and
Equipment
The principles of color selection discussed for walls and ceilings
also apply to furniture and equipment selection. In addition, glare
must be considered since it is a common hazard caused by the
reflection of light from glass tops on desks, other highly polished.
To prevent this kind of problems, Shiny desktops are not
recommended; instead furniture with a nongloss finish should be
chosen. Black or white desktops are to harsh for the eyes. Black
contrast to strongly with surroundings.

The Hearing
Environment
The Hearing Environment deals with office sounds, which can be good or
bad. When sound like backgrounds music and pleasant conversation is
soothing to workers it is good and aids office production. However, when
sound like street noises, vibrating office machines, ringing and distracting,
it is bad and hampers production. Unwanted sound is called noise, a factor
that must be carefully controlled if the office is to be efficient

Sources and
effects of office
noise
Automobiles , motorcycle, sirens and trucks account for most of
the most of the outside noise that is carried into the office. Inside
of the office the principal sources of noise are :
1. Electronic Equipments
2. The Reduced square footage for each workstation
3. Open offices where noise travels freely between work areas
4. The us of glass as exterior walls of building which results in
more noise being reflected back into the office

Thank you for

listening