|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
The following is an excerpt from the Herman Miller Research Summary: Work Force Diversity: What It Means for the Office(©2003). “Environments that accommodate people Women in general tend to be smaller than men. People of Asian ancestry tend to be smaller than people of European and African ethnicity. A greater variety of body sizes means that furniture must adjust to accommodate a greater range. The American National Standards Institute has provided guidelines for furniture manufacturers and businesses that accurately represent a broader range of body types and sizes. Furniture companies have responded by expanding the range of adjustability in chair height and depth, work surface height, sit-to-stand keyboard trays, and at-hand storage. Some have developed three chair sizes—all of which are adjustable within their particular range. But body size is only one dimension of physical diversity. Older workers as a group, for example, experience more vision and hearing difficulties than other groups, as well as more mobility limitations. The legal obligation to accommodate workers with all kinds of disabilities, including these age-related ones, is encouraging businesses to create the kind of accessible environment that will assist workers at all levels of ability. For many kinds of disabilities, adjustable chairs and systems furniture properly selected and installed can easily achieve an appropriate accommodation. Older people and those of non-“average” body types are more vulnerable to cumulative trauma disorders, visual problems, and other physical complaints if their workstations do not take their particular conditions into account. This also highlights the importance of knowledge. A work force more diverse in its physical abilities and characteristics needs an understanding of ergonomic principles and how to adjust furniture appropriately.” For the complete text of this research summary, please CONTACT Thomas Interior Systems at info@thomasinterior.com." |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |