by Brianna Crandall — May 26, 2014—With more than 70% of office workers turning up at the office when they are unwell, the U.K. division of global office furniture provider Steelcase is now launching an innovative desking system to reduce the spread of germs and to create health-conscious working environments. According to the company, Ology is the first Steelcase product to be designed and manufactured with the option of antimicrobial components that inhibit the growth of microorganisms and prevent the spreading of harmful bacteria.
Ology addresses the spread of germs in the workplace and plays a key part in improving employees’ wellbeing. “Workplaces today need to provide a variety of places for people to work, giving workers choice and control over where and how they work. But the reality is, the more we share desks, the more we share germs. There is an increased need to prevent the sharing of harmful bacteria,” said Allan Smith, vice president of marketing and applications for Steelcase.
Germs are everywhere, and desktops are among the worst germ traps, says Steelcase. The company cites recent research that shows:
- 72% of workers report for work despite being unwell.
- Workers in open plan offices take 63% more sick days than those working in personal offices.
- 80% of infectious diseases are transmitted by touch.
Ology features BactiBlock antimicrobial technology that can be applied to power and data points, worksurface edges and desk pads, and height-adjustment controls. Bactiblock is molded into the parts and is released to the surface over time, making it durable and efficient, explains Steelcase.
The technology uses naturally occurring silver that comprehensively attacks microbes, making it almost impossible for them to develop resistance, claims the company. Silver and copper have a long history as antimicrobials, as evidenced by Greek, Egyptian and Roman accounts as far back as 2200 BC. While most bacteria is not harmful, some bacteria are known to be pathogens that produce illness, reminds Steelcase.
As knowledge work becomes more collaborative and mobile, many office environments are evolving to become mostly shared “we” spaces versus individually assigned work settings. Because more workers than ever are moving through shared workstations, research suggests an increasing need to reduce harmful germs. “We believe antimicrobials can be effective and safe on high-touch work surfaces in between cleanings and thus further support wellbeing in the workspace,” Smith continued.
Wellbeing has become a bottom-line issue for employers around the world. People’s sense of health and wellbeing is in decline. Steelcase has recently released a global research report that unveils an evolution in the definition of wellbeing and six factors for designing a healthy workspace. This new definition necessitates a holistic approach to wellbeing, uncovering that the mind, body and environment are intrinsically linked. No longer can organizations think of wellbeing as just physical or mental health, but must now consider the physical, psychological and cognitive needs of workers, concludes the report.
Ology is designed to make a significant contribution to wellbeing. In addition to its antimicrobial features, the desk promotes posture change and provides ergonomics tailored to individual needs. Physical wellbeing is a major challenge, and a key issue is that workers do not change postures enough during the working day, notes Steelcase. Changing posture is shown to help energy levels, improve productivity, help prevent weight gain and cardiovascular diseases, and reduce musculoskeletal discomfort. Ology promotes posture change through its five different height-adjustment settings.
The product line also features a soft-edge profile that reduces pressure on wrists and forearms and reduces neck and shoulder fatigue. The desk’s seamless edge provides a smooth transition between the surface top and edge, creating the illusion of a single flowing solid surface. It also eliminates the porosity of a glue line, increasing the life of surfaces and promoting a cleaner work environment.
