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What is the value of ergonomic equipment?
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The word "ergonomic" is frequently misused; much so-called ergonomic equipment has never been near an ergonomist. So, how do you assess the value of spending money?
Why get ergonomic equipment?
From the musculoskeletal point of view, the "best position" is the next position. Periodic movement will go a long way to helping avoid musculoskeletal problems. However, repeated movement, especially if incorrect, will create problems (e.g. repetitive strain injury (RSI).)
So a reasonable expectation of ergonomic equipment is that which either helps people move correctly or reduces the likelihood of incorrect movement. It has to be said, though, that such equipment can be double-edged in that incorrect use of ergonomic equipment can still cause damage.
Encouraging movement
Some chairs are designed to move with the slightest user movement; that is, when the sitter reaches out, for instance, the chair under him will move too. For certain movements, this encourages the body's muscles, especially the postural ones, to work or be given a chance to rest. (This kind of chair can be an example of potential for damage; if someone other than the user should sit on it without knowing the way it moves and without understanding how to control their body, they are very likely to be extremely surprised to the extent of falling off.)
Sit/stand desks, that can be raised electrically to allow working at a standing position, are an excellent investment. This is recognised in Scandanavia, where offices have to supply adjustable desks if needed. Prices in 2006 are now coming down and where they are equivalent to a normal desk, the decision should be a "no brainer". (Often a lower back sufferer is unable to sit for long but could be at work if able to work standing up between periods of sitting.)
Preventing incorrect movement
Some equipment is good because it ensures the user avoids incorrect movements. An example is a telephone headset, so that the handset is not held between head and shoulder, a position that is a postural sin.
More difficult are things like pointing devices, such as mouses (also known as rodents, mice, manual input devices), trackballs, drawing pads, pen devices. There are literally hundreds on the market, many with the ergonomic claim. These can be double edged: even if bought to avoid one repetitive action, damage can result if the new equipment leads to the user making a movement that results in a different repeated too-frequent movement. There is no point in investing in one thing to leap from the frying pan to the fire.
Which leads to the point that if spending money on equipment, you should also consider paying for advice on what to get and training in how to use it.
What the manufacturer says
If the chair and/or desk manufacturer is offering training for their "ergonomic" equipment, this is reasonable (though not conclusive) evidence that they know what they are talking about.
Sometimes the ergonomic need should be obvious, such as a chair and table for a very large or very small person. Office furniture is made to "norms", which cover a reasonably large (usually 95%) proportion of the population. So if someone is outside the norm, it is very likely that they will need special provision.
This extends not just to the major items, but to keyboards and pointing devices.
How effective is ergonomic equipment?
Generally speaking, if the reason for the equipment has been thought through, it is very likely that the user will be pleased with it and will use it, for it removes the cause of pain.
Without the knowledge and training, though, a piece of equipment tends to be a toy, played with and later discarded. Having said that, as habits change (hopefully for the better) the equipment may be less necessary and consequently put aside. But, taking this further, discarded equipment may be a sign that the user has simply gone back to bad habits, this requiring less effort than change.
In a company, and depending on the size of the company or department, it may be worth having a pool of smaller items which can be made available to others.
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