1. © 2013 Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics 1/09/2013
1
Visual Ergonomics:
A different focus for
safety, comfort and
productivity
Jennifer Long
Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics
www.visualergonomics.com.au
In this presentation…
• What is visual ergonomics and why is it
important in our workplaces?
• What are some of the visual ergonomics issues
emerging in our workplaces?
• How can we manage these issues:
• In the short term?
• In the long term?
What is ergonomics/human
factors?
Human
needs,
capabilities
and
limitations
Work,
product,
environment
Safe
Comfortable
Productive

2. © 2013 Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics 1/09/2013
2
What is Visual Ergonomics?
Visual
capabilities
and
perception
Displays,
Lighting,
Signage
Safe
Comfortable
Productive
Imbalance leads to:
Asthenopia
(“eye strain”)
Headaches
Sore eyes
Red eyes
Blurry vision
Decreased
productivity
Accident / injury
Dissatisfaction
Increased cost
Common visual ergonomics
issues in our workplaces

3. © 2013 Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics 1/09/2013
3
1. Poor posture:
our posture is driven by detail
/ font size
2. Displays too wide:
We turn our head to view
objects beyond 15 degrees
3. Displays too high:
It is easier to focus when
looking down

4. © 2013 Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics 1/09/2013
4
4.Some colour combinations
are difficult to view
Red / blue
combination
Red / green
combination
Grey / pink
combination
Red / black
combination
Colour vision defects
• 1 in 12 males
• 1 in 200 females
Our workplaces are a
collection of individuals

5. © 2013 Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics 1/09/2013
5
Not everyone sees the
world the same way
We have an ageing workforce
47% working age people in NSW are aged
40‐64 (ABS)
Born after 1957?
You can’t retire until you are 67!
What does this mean for the
workplace?
Individuals may:
• Have difficulties seeing near tasks
• Have difficulties seeing in the distance
• Want more light to see
• Be more glare sensitive – and want less light
• Be more likely to experience ocular discomfort
e.g. dry eye
• Have eye diseases which impact on visual function

6. © 2013 Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics 1/09/2013
6
Short term strategy:
Manage each problem on an
individual basis
Longer term strategy:
Build in adjustability
Adjustability for visual comfort
• We are already used to this concept for furniture
• Adjustable lighting
• Adjustable display position
• Adjustable display colours and fonts

7. © 2013 Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics 1/09/2013
7
“But these products don’t
exist for my business…”
Evidence base
When you are next
purchasing a product, ask:
• Can the end user easily adjust it?
• Will it allow a good physical and visual posture?

8. © 2013 Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics 1/09/2013
8
Include visual ergonomics in
design specifications
• This may require research to establish an
evidence base
• Formalises and acknowledge these issues
Summary
Visual
capabilities
and
perception
Displays,
Lighting,
Signage
Safe
Comfortable
Productive

9. © 2013 Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics 1/09/2013
9
Individuals and consumer
demand
Policy makers and
guidelines
Designers
Researchers and
HSE/ergonomists
Safe, comfortable and
productive workplaces
Jennifer Long
Jennifer Long Visual Ergonomics
jlong@visualergonomics.com.au
www.visualergonomics.com.au