Ergonomics
Ergonomics is a discipline dedicated to creating the best working environment possible, and this discipline applies to many areas beyond the use of computers. However for our purposes, this section focuses on ergonomics at the computer workstation. Have you ever seen a person working with a tiny monitor using a keyboard sitting atop a tall desk? Their arms look like bird wings flayed out to the sides and their eyes have crow’s feet from perpetual squinting. A quick inspection of most computer workstations usually reveals simple measures that can be taken to correct obvious ergonomic problems. These remedies not only can help people work longer and more efficiently, but can lead to fewer mistakes, decreased lost work days, decreased employee turnover, and increased morale. Presented below is a simple checklist you can use to check out the work stations in your office – give it a try.
Computer Workstation Ergonomic Checklist
- Chair must be comfortable and adjustable
- Chair should be on rollers to allow for proper positioning, and re-positioning
- Chair should not have arms, or should have arms that fold down
- Computer monitor should be right in front of chair, not to the side
- Keyboard should be in keyboard tray so that arms are level when typing
- Monitor should be large, a flat screen monitor is preferred over a CRT
- Monitor should not have glare, install curtains or a glare screen if necessary
- Arm should not rest on a sharp corner or edge of desk
- Lighting should be plentiful, sunlight and florescent light is preferred over incandescent
- Work area should not be cluttered
- A foot rest should be used by persons whose legs do not adequately reach the ground
- Noise should be kept to a minimum
- An ergonomically designed keyboard and mouse should be considered
- Use a phone headset to free up hands and prevent cradling the phone with the neck
The following diagram is typical of ergonomic configurations. For the person who sits at a computer workstation 8 hours a day, a few simple adjustments can make a significant difference over the course of a year, or many years.
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http://www.cpaadvisor.us/sub/2_ergonomics.htm
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1. Use a good chair with a dynamic chair back and sit back
2. Top of monitor casing 2-3" (5-8 cm) above eye level
3. No glare on screen, use an optical glass anti-glare filter where needed
4. Sit at arms length from the monitor
5. Feet on floor or stable footrest
6. Use a document holder, preferably in-line with the computer screen
7. Wrists flat and straight in relation to forearms to use keyboard/mouse/input device
8. Arms and elbows relaxed close to body
9. Center monitor and keyboard in front of you
10. Use a negative tilt keyboard tray with an upper mouse platform or downward tiltable platform adjacent to keyboard
11. Use a stable work surface and stable (no bounce) keyboard tray
12. Take frequent short breaks (microbreaks)
http://www-admn.csun.edu/ehsr/ehs/training/chair.htm