Ergonomics is the study of people in their working environment. The Ergonomics Program at Columbia University aims to promote comfort and establish safety, while empowering you physically, mentally, and relationally in the workspace.
On this page:
Program Offerings
All Program Offerings
All Program Offerings
University Wide & Department Programs are provided seasonally through the Office of Work Life Workshop & Events and select departments. To register for current and upcoming programs, please see the "Fall 2024 Programs" tab.
Ergonomic Sweeps and One-on-One Ergonomic Evaluations can be scheduled at any time. Please contact the Ergonomics Program at [email protected] for more information.
Workshops and Programs
Take a Break: Stretch and Reset
Sometimes all you need is a break! Take a Break: Stretch & Reset is a community of CU faculty & staff, who gather each week to release tension and stress through stretching and meditation. With 30 minutes, you feel rested, connected and ready to thrive!
Watch Previous Session: Take a Break - Mid-Day Stretch and Reset
Ask Your Ergonomist: An Introduction to Working Comfortably
Equip yourself with confidence and comfort in your workspace! Join us for an introductory ergonomics session, where you will learn the foundations of ergonomics, find out how to cultivate a healthier workspace, and participate in extended Q&A with the university's ergonomist. Leave this session with practical tips, personalized ergonomic adjustments, new habits, and strategies to work and feel better.
Watch Previous Session: Ask the Ergonomist: An Introduction to Working Comfortably
Embodying Ergonomics: An Imaginative Meditation Experience
Imagine your body comfortable and relaxed while working, teaching, or in your clinical practice. By following the principles of ergonomics in a guided meditation, you can envision comfort and ease in your workspace, and begin to feel it as you work. Join this unique meditation experience encompassing body awareness, relaxation, ergonomics, and more.
Watch Previous Session: Embodying Ergonomics: An Imaginative Meditation Experience
Finding Empowerment Through Ergonomics
Create a workspace that empowers and supports you! Join us for Finding Empowerment Through Ergonomics, a 30-minute session designed to increase your confidence in cultivating a comfortable and purposeful work environment. Leave this session with practical tips, personalized ergonomic adjustments, new habits, and strategies to work empowered.
Watch Previous Session: Finding Empowerment Through Ergonomics
Remote Work: Healthy Habits and Spaces
Embracing home and work in the same space does not have to be a headache. This session with Ergonomist, Kevin Myers, takes a holistic approach to help you integrate into healthy habits & balance. Learn practical tips, movement strategies, and lifestyle habits to increase your musculoskeletal health, work/life satisfaction, and efficiency at work.
Watch Previous Session: Remote Well-Being: Healthy Habits & Spaces
A crash course in a workstation set up with a personal touch. Sweeps are for your whole department or team to bring prevention with efficiency. The ergonomist will schedule time to visit your department and each team member for a maximum of ten minutes at their desk. Sweeps, help ensure that your whole team has an awareness of ergonomics.
Email the Ergonomics Program at [email protected] to schedule your evaluation.
A personal evaluation can help provide intervention and/or prevent musculoskeletal conditions. The evaluation will overview your current concerns, while providing recommendations and changes to allow you to work safely and efficiently. Evaluations are in person or virtual and last a maximum of 30 minutes.
Email the Ergonomics Program at [email protected] to schedule your evaluation.
Ergonomic Resources
Ergonomic Resources
Create an Ergonomic Workstation
Adjusting Your Chair
Identify the make and model of your chair to watch simple videos to learn how to adjust them properly. This can be found in the order information or on a tag on the bottom of your chair. The chairs listed are the most common at Columbia University. If you do not see your chair here, feel free to search the make and model on google for further videos.
Enhancing Your Workstation
- Sitting Ergonomic Diagram
- Standing Ergonomic Diagram
- Mayo Clinic: 9 Tips For A Healthy Ergonomic Workstation
- Ergonomics For Your Eyes
- OSHA: Computer Workstations
Video Library
Remote Work
Office of Work/Life Presentations
- Watch: Remote Well-Being: Healthy Habits & Spaces
- Guide: 10 Tips to Enhance Well-Being When Working Remotely
Video Library
Laboratory Ergonomics
Ergonomic Safety in Laboratories
- National Institutes of Health: Laboratory Ergonomics
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Laboratory Safety Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Mayo Clinic Lab Ergonomics
- Tip #1 - Reduce Wrist and Hand Strain
- Tip #2 - Lifting Heavy or Awkward Objects
- Tip #3 - Eliminate Repeated Motions that Lead to Wrist Strain
Additional Resources
CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Things You Can Do Right Now
Take a Break: Meditate With Columbia's Ergonomist
Whatever you're feeling right now—whether it's stress, happiness, or something in between—we invite you to take a break, catch your breath, and participate in a guided meditation.
Join Columbia's ergonomist, Kevin Myers, as he leads a session to help you reflect, manage stress, rest, and discover tranquility with your "inner self."
Ergonomics at Columbia
Mission Statement
Columbia University Benefits is committed to promoting additional ergonomic support in the workplace through a philosophy of ongoing education, training and ergonomic assessments, as applicable, in the workplace. Through the application of ergonomic principles, Columbia's Ergonomics Program aims to promote well-being within the work environment and to increase ergonomic awareness.
The Ergonomics Program at Columbia University is supported by an Optum on-site ergonomist and the ErgoPro in Flex assessment tool. The ergonomist will act as a liaison to the University on ergonomic matters. The ergonomist may also work with the Leave Management team to advise on proper ergonomic equipment and in the assessment of needs for medical accommodation cases. Coordinated efforts will be maintained with other University departments, including EHS and HR Departmental contacts, as applicable.
Meet Your Ergonomist
Kevin Myers is Columbia University's onsite ergonomist. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer who holds a Master of Science in Ergonomics and Biomechanics from New York University.
Kevin is passionate about using his expertise to empower the workplace culture for the common good.
"We are whole people who come to work. We all deserve to feel comfortable with our full selves (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual) in the workplace. If I can serve others to help them become more aware and accepting of themselves, we can create a culture of being more aware and accepting of each other. We are better together, as a community!"
Contact Us
If you have questions about the Ergonomics Program, please email: [email protected].
Ergonomics FAQs
Ergonomics can reduce the risk of discomfort or injury that can occur due to improper posture and repetitive stress. Reducing this risk diminishes other side effects that come with increased discomfort, such as stress.
No.
You can contact Leave Management for further assistance.
The ergonomist observes your equipment and how you use it, then may adjust and make recommendations that better position everything in your workspace and promote habitual change based on ergonomic principles and practices.
No.
Feel free to use the library resources on our site to serve your needs. They have been vetted and approved by the ergonomics program. If you need additional assistance, we are here to help!