Office ergonomic safety is so important in the workplace that it is covered under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Ergonomic safety involves designing the workplace and equipment to fit the individual worker. There is no set correct posture or arrangement of your workstation. However, there are basic ergonomic guidelines that you can learn about and follow to protect yourself against workplace injury while performing computer tasks.
Ergonomic Furniture Set Up
Effective ergonomic furniture (chair, desk and workstation) is adjustable to suit your individual needs. Maintaining good posture is essential. Ergonomically speaking, your chair should be set at the height and distance at which you can comfortably reach your desk items. Your spine should be erect. Buy a lumbar support cushion if needed. Your feet should rest flat on the floor; if not, you need a footrest. Your desk needs to be adjustable for a comfortable monitor shelf and keyboard tray.
Ergonomic Computer Station Set Up
Keyboards, pointing devices, monitors and work surfaces play a key role in office ergonomic safety. When keyboards are placed either too high or too low, injury can result. Develop a neutral body position. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), this involves maintaining a straight and level wrist posture. Good wrist positioning involves not having the wrists bend down or up nor turn to either side. Use a wrist pad or ergonomic keyboard. Lowering or elevating your keyboard may help. For good ergonomics, your elbows should hang comfortably at your body's side while at the same height as your keyboard. Make slight adjustments in your chair, keyboard tray and desk to accommodate this.
Ergonomic pointing devices need to be sized and shaped according to your suitability in order to avoid discomfort and posture disorders. Set up a mouse ergonomic tray next to the keyboard tray, or use a touch pad pointing device instead of a mouse.
Monitors need to be at a distance and height that is comfortable for you. Your monitor should align with your desk, keyboard and chair for optimum results. Your monitor should be at or just below eye level, according to OSHA. Make certain it is least 20 inches away from your eyes. The print should not strain your eyes. Your head and torso should be straight, according to Safecomputing.com.
Phone ergonomics involve using a speaker phone or a hands-free headset if you use the phone frequently during your work. Place the phone within safe reaching distance to avoid straining your arm, shoulder or neck when you reach for it.
Workplace Set Up
Office ergonomic safety involving the workstation environment involves three areas of concern for the user, according to Safecomputingtips.com. The three areas are lighting, glare and ventilation.
Workplaces should be designed to reduce glare from overhead lighting, windows and desk lamps. Office supply companies, such as Office Depot, sell anti-glare monitor screens. The illumination level on your monitor is important as well as the positioning of your monitor. Your monitor should be at or just below eye level, according to OSHA.
Ventilation ergonomics involve placing your desk away from air conditioning vents, avoiding any drafts. The air in your workplace area should be well circulated. The air's relative humidity should be between 30 and 60 percent. Also, be certain that your computer is not emitting air ventilation diffuser pollutants such as chemicals, volatile organic compounds or ozone particles. Place new computers in a well ventilated area to "air out" prior to using them.
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