Following on from ActivConsole’s success in the ergonomics industry, AME System were given the chance to speak at HFESA’s Knowledge through Sharing annual conference in Melbourne’s CBD earlier this month.

Dan Murphy, AME System’s lead industrial designer was invited to speak in front of the industry’s finest on AME’s noted success and practiced principles within the ergonomics field.

Stressing the importance of the design process when designing ergonomic control room solutions for employers, Dan pushed the value of end user inclusion throughout the design process. Only through constant communication and the ability to involve and develop with the end user can we continue to design flexible products for customer’s 24/7 control room environments.

Dan spoke about the increased danger of sitting for long periods at a time, placing particular emphasis on the increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, muscular skeletal disorders, obesity, reduction in productivity and premature mortality (early death) – all due to the simple fact that an average office workers spends 80,000 hours sitting in their lifetime.

While all this might sound gloomy and saddening, AME System ensures us that this can all be avoided by simply moving a few minutes every half hour. Alternating between sitting and standing at a desk is an excellent prevention measure. It oxygenates the blood, takes pressure off your joints and reduces your blood glucose levels. This simple task increases alertness, productivity and your ability to communicate, while decreasing workplace injury, obesity risks and the risk of heart disease. Ultimately this leads to a better working environment and happier, healthier employees.

Emphasising the importance of all of these factors and the role ergonomics plays in design, he left us with the simple message – be comfortable, be active, be healthy and be productive.