EVALUATION OF A FLAT ROOM FROM ERGONOMIC ASPECTS

JOAO VICTOR PARODI DA SILVA NEPTUN: IBKVFR

1. INTRODUCTION
The room analyzed is composed by two ambients: first it functions as a
bedroom and the second as a living room/studying room. Theres no
separation between them. After the analysis, it was notice some usual
problems regarding the ergonomic aspects. In this report, it will be listed
such problems and given the proper solutions.

2. TROUBLES FROM ERGONOMIC ASPECTS

Picture 1
1 The heating system is quite close to the armchair and the office chair.
This leads all the hot air flow directly to the back and side of the chairs,

respectively, causing an uncomforting situation. Besides that, the noise

generated sometimes by the radiator can be annoying for the person whos
working or studying at the table.

2 The chair is small and completely uncomfortable since the person can
change his sitting position. Besides that, the material of the chair is hard
wood and the back of the chair do not facilitate for a correct sitting posture.

3 The work-desk is small, not leaving much space for the arms or to put
other items such a notebooks, papers and other necessary items.

Picture 2

4 Theres only a lighting center point in the room. At night when the
artificial lighting is necessary, because the lack of directional lights, theres

shadow and half-light along some parts of the room. This affects directly the
person whos working at the desk or reading something on the sofa, chairs.

5 The big window brings too much natural light inside the room. So,
because of the position of the desk in the room, it causes glare on the
monitor. Besides that, this much natural clarity affects the person who may
have to sleep during the day.

Picture 3

6 This window provides a direct light to the bed what may cause some
uncomfort during the sleeping time, even worse if the person has to sleep
during the day.

7 The bed has two main problems as Ive notice during the analysis. First is
the space between the side of the bed and the walls: it is too small in one of
the sides and in part of the other side too. The second is the height of the
bed, which is quite short. This causes a stress mostly when getting out of the
bed.

3. SOLUTIONS
After the whole analysis of the room from the ergonomics aspects, some
solutions can be applied to correct or in some cases reduce the problems
found.
1 Regarding the heating, it may be difficult to move its position since is
connected to the gas and electric house system. In this case, would be better
and easier to move the location the desk and both chairs, further from the
radiator.

2 In order to provide comfort for the user and correct the sitting posture,
would be advised to change the chair for an ergonomic office chair with
higher backboard, arms support, ability of rotation, wheels and comfortable
material.

3 The solution for the desk is more or less the same of the chair, change to
a bigger desk.

4 Theres two possible solutions for the center light problem. First, increase
the power of the center light, in order to cover better the whole room. The
second is use some lampshades and a table lamp for the desk. That would
give the directional lights necessary for the person.

5 Although theres already a curtain on the window, would be advised to

change it to a darker one, so would reduce the glare caused in the monitor
and would give much comfort in sleeping. Another thing for correcting the
glare is changing the monitors position to be in the opposite direction of the
window.

6 The solution for this window, is install a curtain, so it will block the direct
natural light from outside.

7 First for avoiding the small side spaces out of the bed, would be better to
move the bed for the other ambient that is bigger. Second, for correcting the
height theres two options: use base supports on the floor or change to a
higher mattress. Both options would improve the height of the bed, giving
comfort and making it less difficult to get up from the bed.