| v> | | | | continuous reaching, the computer mouse should |
| Having an ergonomic workplace is essential to a | | | | be in the keyboard tray next to the keyboard. |
| healthy and productive workforce. You work | | | | 7. Add a footrest. Office ergonomics is all about |
| better, feel better and have a better state of | | | | proper alignment of your body for total comfort. |
| mind. Through office ergonomics, you can arrange | | | | A footrest is essential for supporting your legs. It |
| your workstation so it keeps your body in proper | | | | also prevents lower back strain, in particular for |
| alignment as you go about your daily tasks. Here | | | | people whose feet do not reach the floor when |
| are 12 ways you can achieve an ergonomic work | | | | sitting. |
| environment. | | | | 8. Focus on posture. Although it's difficult to think |
| Working in an ergonomic office is crucial to an | | | | about your posture while working, it is important |
| efficient and fruitful workforce. You work harder, | | | | to prevent skeletal muscle injuries. Concentrate on |
| feel great and have a sharp state of mind. Utilising | | | | standing tall, limiting slouching or leaning. If you |
| office ergonomics, you can change your | | | | stand on your feet all day, try to change positions |
| workstation so it supports your body alignment | | | | by shifting weight. When sitting, your thighs should |
| as you go about your usual tasks. Here are 12 | | | | be parallel to the floor and your feet flat on the |
| ways you can accomplish the high standard of an | | | | floor or on a foot rest. Your shoulders should be |
| ergonomic office space. | | | | relaxed and your neck in a neutral position. Rather |
| 1. An adjustable desk. This allows you to change | | | | than twisting to reach something, turn your whole |
| its position for your height, an important feature | | | | body. Try to vary positions frequently and take |
| when several people use the same desk in an | | | | short breaks. |
| office. The desk should be at a height where your | | | | 9. Proper lifts. No matter the work, there's almost |
| knees and thighs fit comfortably under it. Office | | | | always some kind of lifting involved. Whether it's |
| ergonomics also suggests that the desk be large | | | | lifting mail bins or files from a desk, without |
| enough to accommodate your needs and that | | | | proper form back injuries are inevitable. Where |
| items are placed within arm's length reach. This | | | | heavy lifting is involved, back belts are essential to |
| limits the need of bending or twisting often to | | | | the workplace. For light lifting, keep in mind that |
| access something. | | | | you should bend your knees and keep your back |
| 2. An adjustable chair. For those whose job | | | | straight. |
| involves a lot of sitting, the chair is an important | | | | 10. Accessorize ergonomically. There are various |
| area in which to achieve office ergonomics. It | | | | items that should be used in the workplace but |
| should have an adjustable back, seat height, arm | | | | are often overlooked when evaluating office |
| rests, lumbar support for the back and a padded, | | | | ergonomics. For example, you can minimize eye |
| breathable seat. If it's a rolling chair, five wheels | | | | strain with a document holder that is positioned |
| are recommended for ease of movement and | | | | level with your computer monitor. This prevents |
| minimal tipping risk. | | | | your eyes from having to constantly refocus |
| 3. Proper computer monitor placement. First and | | | | when looking from paper to monitor. A telephone |
| most important, your computer monitor should be | | | | headset or speaker phone helps in retaining an |
| adjustable so that the upper edge of the screen | | | | ideal alignment position while multi-tasking. |
| is at your eye level. It should be placed directly in | | | | 11. Limit the noise. You may not allocate noise to |
| front of you, about an arm's length away. Glare | | | | the area of office ergonomics, but low-level noise |
| guards or a plasma screen can help reduce eye | | | | can damage your hearing and at the very |
| strain. To prevent vision problems, a computer | | | | minimum cause stress. Some typical office noises |
| screen should be at a 90-degree angle to a | | | | come from computer hard drives, printers, copy |
| window, not in front of or next to it. | | | | machines, telephones, fellow co-workers and |
| 4. Adjustable keyboard tray. Computer desks | | | | outside sounds. Building improvements to lower |
| that come equipped with a keyboard tray could | | | | noise include adding an acoustic ceiling, installing |
| cause problems if you are unable to adjust its | | | | partitions between workstations, carpeting floors |
| height for proper positioning. The keyboard tray | | | | and moving noisy equipment. Employees can use |
| should also be spacious enough to hold the | | | | earplugs to restrict their exposure to |
| keyboard and mouse. Wrist supports are also | | | | uncomfortable noise. |
| advised so that you can have short relaxation | | | | 12. Check the lights. Bad lighting is a significant |
| periods from typing and rest your wrists in the | | | | cause of vision difficulties, eye strain and |
| correct position. | | | | headaches. There are quite a few measures to |
| 5. A keyboard with curves. Office ergonomics | | | | implement to achieve optimal lighting in the office |
| studies have indicated that a curved or contoured | | | | environment. First, the office should be equipped |
| keyboard limits the potential risk of hand, wrist | | | | with full-spectrum lights and have tinted glass or |
| and shoulder problems. The keyboard should be | | | | blinds on windows to reduce glare. If necessary, |
| positioned at a height where your elbows remain | | | | task lighting at workstations should be installed. |
| close to your sides and bent no more than 90 | | | | When you consider that workplace injuries are |
| degrees. If you notice any hand, arm, or neck | | | | extremely costly to a company and its |
| pain, you might try adjusting the tilt of the | | | | employees, setting up a work area to maximize |
| keyboard. | | | | ergonomics reduces the likelihood of medical |
| 6. An ergonomic-friendly mouse. Injuries from | | | | conditions like headaches, eye strain, neck and |
| repetitive movements caused by working with a | | | | back pain, bursitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. |
| mouse are commonplace in an office environment. | | | | The pursuit of office ergonomics is the way to |
| Replace the common mouse with one with a | | | | create a quality work life that minimizes |
| trackball or touch pad to relieve movements that | | | | work-related injuries. |
| can cause repetitive stress injuries. To eliminate | | | | |