What Is Ergonomics: Short Course

What is ergonomics, and how can understanding ergonomic principles help create safer, healthier and more productive workplaces? At CPD Courses, our flexible online Workplace Ergonomics Course introduces the essential principles of ergonomic design, workplace safety, employee wellbeing and ergonomic risk assessment.

Every workplace involves interactions between people, equipment, tasks and their surrounding environment. When these elements are poorly matched, employees may experience unnecessary physical strain, discomfort, fatigue or difficulties completing their responsibilities efficiently. Understanding what ergonomic means helps organisations recognise these challenges and consider practical improvements.

An ergonomic workspace is designed to accommodate human capabilities and limitations. Rather than expecting employees to adapt continuously to unsuitable working conditions, ergonomics encourages employers and workers to consider how equipment, workstations, tasks and processes can be designed or adjusted to better support the people using them.

Our online course introduces the meaning and importance of ergonomics, relevant workplace legislation and regulatory bodies, the role of ergonomics in organisational environments and the ergonomic assessment cycle.

Whether you work in an office, manage employees, supervise workplace activities or simply want to understand how ergonomic principles apply to everyday tasks, this programme provides an accessible introduction to an important area of workplace health and safety.

Study online at your own pace and explore our wider range of online CPD courses, including our related Ergonomics Certification Course.

What Is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with understanding interactions between people and other elements of a system. It applies knowledge about human abilities, limitations and behaviour to the design of products, tasks, equipment and working environments.

In simple terms, ergonomics is about designing work to suit people.

It considers how individuals interact with:

• Workstations
• Chairs and desks
• Computer equipment
• Tools and machinery
• Workplace furniture
• Manual handling tasks

What Does Ergonomic Mean?

The word ergonomic describes something designed or arranged with consideration for human capabilities, comfort, safety and effective use.

For example, an ergonomic office chair may provide adjustable features that help accommodate different body sizes and working positions.

Similarly, an ergonomic workstation may allow employees to position their screens, keyboards and other equipment in ways that reduce unnecessary physical strain.

However, an item being described as ergonomic does not automatically mean it is suitable for every individual.

Its effectiveness depends on factors such as:

• The user's physical characteristics
• The task being performed
• Adjustment and positioning

What Is an Ergonomic Workspace?

An ergonomic workspace is a working environment arranged to accommodate the needs of the person performing the task.

It considers the relationship between the worker, equipment, furniture, working activities and surrounding conditions.

An ergonomic workspace may include:

• Suitable seating
• Appropriate desk height
• Adjustable equipment
• Correctly positioned screens
• Accessible keyboards and pointing devices
• Adequate lighting
• Sufficient working space
• Appropriate equipment placement

Further Ergonomics and Workplace Safety Opportunities

After completing What Is Ergonomics, you may wish to explore additional learning in ergonomic risk assessment, workplace health and safety, office administration and employee wellbeing.

Our related Ergonomics Certification Course provides an opportunity to explore ergonomic principles in greater detail.

You can also explore our wider range of online CPD courses and professional development programmes.

Start Learning What Is Ergonomics Online

Develop a clearer understanding of what is ergonomics, what does ergonomic mean and how ergonomic principles contribute to safer and more suitable working environments.

Explore the importance of an ergonomic workspace, recognise common workplace risk factors and learn how ergonomics applies to office activities, equipment use and organisational processes. Understand the role of workplace legislation, regulatory bodies and the ergonomic assessment cycle in identifying and managing potential concerns.

Whether you are developing your workplace safety knowledge, preparing for supervisory responsibilities or seeking to improve your understanding of ergonomic design, this course provides an accessible introduction to an important professional subject.