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Workstation

Characteristics of an Ergonomic Workstation

Liz Dowler OTR/L, CRC

Employers are concerned with preventing on-the-job injuries and providing work environments that improve health and productivity. Office furniture often dictates positioning by forcing the worker to adapt to the furniture.
Most office furniture still in use today was designed during the age of the typewriter and no longer fits the work tasks of today. Technology moved forward, workstation furnishings need to do the same.
Body positioning impacts activity. We work most efficiently when in a neutral posture, since it's the way we were designed. Ergonomics is the science of fitting the task to the person. However, each person is different, thus requiring adjustable furniture to allow individual workers to work in a neutral posture. This can be achieved.

The first consideration is seating.

Features of ergonomic chairs; (1) Seat height and shape is determined by lower leg length. The taller the individual, the taller the chair. Feet need to be flat on the floor with the knees lower than the hips. The seat surface should be the correct size for the individual. It should have the forward edge turned down and be firm, flat or contoured to meet individual desires. A flat seat allows for the easy movement in chairs during the day, and assists in upright posture. The seat tilts forward or rocks back to accommodate different work tasks. Sitting in a forward tilted chair will assist in upright position of the spine and head. (2) Castors allow for easy movement between work surfaces.
They come in various types to match floor surfaces. (3) Arm Rests are generally preferred to give support to arms and assist with good sitting posture. They should be adjustable to meet individual needs and adjust to desk height. (4) Back Rest must have a well formed lumbar pad to support the lumbar spine, be height adjustable, have an adjustable inclination and lock at any desired position. (5)Adjustments should be easy to reach. Models with hydraulic lifts are common.

Good ergonomic chairs are the most costly part of the workstation. The chair is a tool just like the computer, if the employee is not positioned properly, productivity will suffer.
Chair
Next consider the desk.

This is something that can be modified to meet current work requirements. Since there is a significant amount of paper handled in an office, both computer and desk work spaces are required. The proper desk height will minimize spinal curving, head forward and shoulder elevated posture. Headaches, neck and shoulder pain are often caused by desks being too high or too low. After the chair height is set, desk height is determined by measuring the elbow at 90°. Change the desk height, not the chair. Arms and shoulders are to be relaxed when typing. Wrists need to be supported at the palm to provide neutral wrist position and a place to rest hands during typing.

Monitor Arm The use of a Negative Sloping Keyboard Tray will allow the worker to reduce the tension in the shoulder, neck and forearm muscles. The computer can be set up on either the return, the main desk, or in the corner. Utilize the corner for large monitors. Standard wood or metal desks can be raised with Deskelators (tm). Shorter workers may need a flat footrest. Some furniture is height adjustable and can be raised or lowered to meet individual needs.

Negative Slope Keyboard Tray

Documents are placed within the centerline between the monitor and keyboard to minimize neck rotation. A sturdy document holder can hold books, reference materials and be used as a sloped writing surface.

Document Holder

Monitor height is determined by matching the top of the screen to the eyebrow when the head is erect. Safe distance from the screen is 22-24° , farther if the monitor is larger than 15 inches. Raise monitors with VuRyzers (tm), reams of paper or old phone books.
The most tension-reducing position is one in which the body, head, keyboard and the source document are in center alignment. Stretching exercises during the day interrupt static and repetitive positions.

Training classes to learn proper exercises, positioning and safe work practices are provided as part of the ergonomic process to prevent injury, promote health and enhance productivity. It may be the most important benefit you have ever provided your workers and the most profitable investment you have ever made in your business.

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The first consideration is seating. Features of ergonomic chairs; (1) Seat height and shape is determined by lower leg length. The taller the individual, the taller the chair. Feet need to be flat on the floor with the knees lower than the hips. The seat surface should be the correct size for the individual. It should have the forward edge turned down and be firm, flat or contoured to meet individual desires. A flat seat allows for the easy movement in chairs during the day, and assists in upright posture. The seat tilts forward or rocks back to accommodate different work tasks. Sitting in a forward tilted chair will assist in upright position of the spine and head. (2) Castors allow for easy movement between work surfaces. They come in various types to match floor surfaces. (3) Arm Rests are generally preferred to give support to arms and assist with good sitting posture. They should be adjustable to meet individual needs and adjust to desk height. (4) Back Rest must have a well formed lumbar pad to support the lumbar spine, be height adjustable, have an adjustable inclination and lock at any desired position. (5)Adjustments should be easy to reach. Models with hydraulic lifts are common. Good ergonomic chairs are the most costly part of the workstation. The chair is a tool just like the computer, if the employee is not positioned properly, productivity will suffer.	Next consider the desk. This is something that can be modified to meet current work requirements. Since there is a significant amount of paper handled in an office, both computer and desk work spaces are required. The proper desk height will minimize spinal curving, head forward and shoulder elevated posture. Headaches, neck and shoulder pain are often caused by desks being too high or too low. After the chair height is set, desk height is determined by measuring the elbow at 90°. Change the desk height, not the chair. Arms and shoulders are to be relaxed when typing. Wrists need to be supported at the palm to provide neutral wrist position and a place to rest hands during typing.	The use of a Negative Sloping Keyboard Tray will allow the worker to reduce the tension in the shoulder, neck and forearm muscles. The computer can be set up on either the return, the main desk, or in the corner. Utilize the corner for large monitors. Standard wood or metal desks can be raised with Deskelators (tm). Shorter workers may need a flat footrest. Some furniture is height adjustable and can be raised or lowered to meet individual needs. Negative Slope Keyboard Tray Documents are placed within the centerline between the monitor and keyboard to minimize neck rotation. A sturdy document holder can hold books, reference materials and be used as a sloped writing surface. Document Holder Monitor height is determined by matching the top of the screen to the eyebrow when the head is erect. Safe distance from the screen is 22-24° , farther if the monitor is larger than 15 inches. Raise monitors with VuRyzers (tm), reams of paper or old phone books. The most tension-reducing position is one in which the body, head, keyboard and the source document are in center alignment. Stretching exercises during the day interrupt static and repetitive positions.







Training classes to learn proper exercises, positioning and safe work practices are provided as part of the ergonomic process to prevent injury, promote health and enhance productivity. It may be the most important benefit you have ever provided your workers and the most profitable investment you have ever made in your business.