Is Your Computer Workstation Ergonomically Designed?

One of the most common causes of discomfort and lost productivity in the office is poor workstation design.  In order to keep your staff working in low-risk postures, follow these simple office procedures:


The Chair

Wrong: Because the typing position is too high, this person has had to raise their chair to its highest level. As a result, his feet are lifted from the floor. In leaning forward to utilize the keyboard, the person is not benefiting from the chair’s backrest.

Lower back pain is often the direct result of sitting for prolonged periods of time in fixed or unsupported postures. Well-designed ergonomic chairs allow the sitter to move freely and change posture throughout the day.  They should also have the necessary adjustments to fit the sitter’s body dimensions, such as seat height (between 16 and 22 inches) and lumbar support (three inches of vertical adjustability).  Chairs should also have easily adjustable armrests that adjust below thigh level to prevent clearance issues.


Keyboard and Mouse

Right: Use of an external keyboard tray promotes neutral wrist postures. In  bringing the keyboard closer to the body, a fully supported seated posture is achieved. The height of the laptop monitor is adjusted so that the top line of text is slightly below eye level.

To avoid carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) risk factors, the keyboard should be positioned just above thigh level and angled away from the user on an articulating keyboard support.  This straightens the user’s wrists and allows him or her to sit in a supported, slightly reclined position.  The mouse should be positioned as close to the keyboard as possible.

Computer Monitor

The top line of text on a computer monitor should be positioned just below eye level. Ideally, the CPU should be placed below the desk on a CPU holder and the monitor should be mounted to a height-adjustable monitor support.

Lighting

Poor lighting can lead to problems ranging from headaches to neck and back pain.  Despite the fact that reading a document requires four to five times more light than viewing a monitor does, most offices are lit evenly by overhead lights.  By incorporating positionable task lights on the desktop, workers are able to put light where they need it most.

Adequate Rest Breaks

Two to three short rest breaks per hour will allow the musculoskeletal system to recuperate from periods of repetitive tasking.  Training Workers should be given information on how to minimize exposure to potential injury and should be shown how to properly utilize ergonomic tools.  An excellent office ergonomics tutorial is available for download on CUergo, Cornell University’s ergonomics website (www.ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html).

Also available from OSHA’s website is a self-assessment checklist (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/checklist.html ). These tools can be used to educate employees on basic ergonomic principles and to identify glaring injury risk factors.

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