Ergonominen

Ergonominen is a Finnish term meaning ergonomic. In English, ergonomic describes products, environments, and processes designed to fit people’s capabilities and minimize discomfort or risk of injury. The term derives from Greek ergon, work, and nomos, law, and the field of ergonomics studies the interactions between people, tools, tasks, and settings to improve safety, efficiency, and well-being.

The central aim is to design for the human body and mind: reducing awkward postures, excessive force, and repetitive motions; optimizing reach and adjustability; supporting vision, hearing, and cognitive load; and creating workplaces and products that are sustainable and comfortable. Ergonomic design considers physical, cognitive, and organizational factors to enhance performance while protecting health.

Applications include office furniture and equipment, industrial tools and workstations, vehicle interiors, consumer electronics, software interfaces, and healthcare devices. In practice, designers use anthropometric data, biomechanics, and user-centered methods to create adjustable, accessible, and intuitive solutions that accommodate a diverse population.

Assessment methods and standards include ergonomic risk assessment tools such as REBA, RULA, and the NIOSH lifting equation, as well as international standards like ISO 9241 for human-system interaction and EN 1335 for office chairs. Organizations may also follow national guidelines and best practices to reduce musculoskeletal disorders and improve usability.

In broader use, ergonomenen describes any design approach seeking to improve comfort, safety, and productivity by aligning work tasks and environments with human capabilities.