Basic Workstation Ergonomics

Posted: 14 Aug 2009 06:49 AM PDT

Workstation ergonomics (whether you work at a desk, a cube, or other) is critical to establishing and maintaining a healthy and productive work place. Below is a basic primer on office ergonomics, (thank you to Office Master, one of the leading producers of Ergonomic Office Seating for providing the graphics and information).

1. Monitor Height - Place top edge of screen at eye level. - This can be achieved using an adjustable monitor arm, or monitor stand.

2. Wrist Postures - Keep wrists flat with little or no bending. This can be achieved using an adjustable keyboard platform.

3. Mouse Placement -Place at same level of keyboard and as close to sides as possible. See #2 above - a proper keyboard platform will have a "mousing area".

4. Thigh Position - Keep thighs parallel to floor. An well designed ergonomic office chair will have a "seat slider", which allows the depth of the seat to be independently adjusted (to accommodate for shorter or taller users).

5. Document Holder - Place document at same level as monitor. Avoids neck strain - a document or "paper-holder" can integrate into the monitor stand in #1 above, or can be a separate piece of equipment.

6. Feet Position - Place feet flat on floor or footboard. This one gets tricky, because if shorter users adjust the height of their chair lower, it can throw off monitor height and keyboard position. A "foot-rest" can be used to achieve this position.

7. Monitor Distance - Keep at proper distance for screen size. Back to the adjustable monitor arm (which is one of my favorite pieces of technology in my office!).

Office Master provides more ergonomic information at their on-line Ergonomic University.