So, why are Indian IT companies not benefiting from investments in ergonomics?
• The word “ergonomics” has become a mere marketing gimmick. There is hardly any chair or computer hardware manufacturer in India who fails to call his product “ergonomic”. However, there is no such thing as an “ergonomic” workstation, chair, keyboard, etc. What will make the product ergonomic is if it is selected and adjusted according to the user’s body dimensions and nature of work, and the user is trained to use it and is willing to use it correctly. • Out-of-date or incorrect ergonomic information provided by untrained “trainers” or worse, salesmen of furniture and ergonomic equipment! Ergonomics is a rapidly changing and controversial field and it needs special training and experience to sort out what is relevant to Indian workers. • Many Indian IT/ITES organisations rely on a “company doctor” (usually a general practitioner or a physician with no training/qualifications in Ergonomics/RSI treatment) to provide ergonomic advice or to select office furniture. The result is that mos
