Office Ergonomics: A Review of Pertinent Research and Recent Developments

Abstract

Office ergonomics provides an arbitrary framework for integrating a large body of research that is relevant to the design of office work environments to optimize the health, safety, comfort, and effectiveness of their human occupants. In this chapter, I organize this vast literature by focusing on important empirical and practical developments over the last decade. In particular, a systems perspective is maintained in order to more fully interpret the salient psychosocial (subjective) variables that mediate the influence of physical-environment characteristics on relevant human outcomes. I suggest that this approach is important for capturing current trends as well as moving the discipline forward. Included are reviews of research related to seating and other furniture considerations (e.g., the update of HFS 100 to HFES 100), pertinent information technologies (e.g., input devices and laptops), lighting, thermal comfort, and other general ambient conditions (e.g., private [cellular] offices vs. open-plan offices).