Our bodies suffer when forced to remain in the same position for long periods of time. It’s no wonder many of us experience pain in our back, neck, arms, wrists, hands & legs when confined to a desk all day.
Well-designed ergonomic office furniture and a little education can reduce the injury and fatigue that office workers experience daily. Ergonomic office furniture is designed to support the way you work and move naturally. Lessened fatigue and a sense of well-being in the workplace are linked to increased productivity and fewer sick days.
If your workstation is awkward and uncomfortable, your injury risk is substantially increased. What's more, productivity takes a dive when workers are preoccupied with discomfort. Think about how much more productive you or your employees could be if they worked in the most comfortable environment possible.
Making Your Workstation Ergonomic
There is a plethora of ergonomic office furniture on the market. While it may not be fit for everyone, it is proven to help. At best, take some pointers from us on how to make your workspace more ergonomic and better for your overall health.
Chairs:
- A well-designed office chair is essential. It should have adjustments for different body types and sizes, and conform to your body from knee to neck.
- Even perfect posture can lead to fatigue if the user doesn't move around. The "perfect" office chair should be supportive while facilitating natural movement of the worker.
- Always test an office chair and take the time to adjust the chair properly in the showroom. Sit in the chair the way that you sit at your desk; find a keyboard if possible. The back rest should support the whole of your spine, and the reclining motion should be natural and effortless. The backs of your knees should be at least 2" from the front of the seat, and your feet should be firmly planted on the ground.
- We believe good office chairs should move naturally with your body. A "synchronous tilt" mechanism is a great feature for comfortable reclining. A synchronous mechanism tilts the back and seat simultaneously at a 2:1 ratio. Also make sure your feet don't pull off the ground when you recline.
- The seat foam should be soft enough to ensure comfort, but firm enough to transfer proper support. Ask about the seat's construction; the foam in poorly-made chairs will often flatten over time.
Desks:
- Provide adequate clearance for your legs.
- Have enough room to position a monitor approximately arms-length away. An adjustable monitor arm can aid in proper monitor placement. Monitor should align eye level with a point 1-2" below the top of the screen.
- A cluttered desk/cubicle means that essential items can be placed in awkward positions, causing improper posture. Always keep your work area tidy.
- Most 30" high desks can properly accommodate 50% of the workforce. Taller or shorter workers are best served by an adjustable-height desk or worksurface, or at least an adjustable keyboard platform.
- A sit-to-stand height adustable desk provides unlimited working postures and opens the body's geometry. Improved circulation and decreased fatigue is accomplished by avoiding acute joint angles.
Keyboard/Mouse
- Keyboard should be positioned so that forearms are level and wrists are not at an extreme angle. Shoulders should not be hunched and the user should utilize the full support of the chair's backrest. Elbows should be bent at 100-120 degrees.
- Position the mouse at a comfortable distance from the body. Mousepad may be angled slightly away from keyboard, in line with the user's arm. Some adjustable keyboard platforms come standard with an integrated mousing surface.
- Always avoid extreme wrist angles; a wrist rest and mouse rest can aid in elevating the wrists to avoid nerve damage.
Here are a few of our recommendations for products that improve workplace ergonomics:
