How to Design an Ergonomic Office
Creating work stations that are comfortable---especially for employees who perform repetitive tasks---is an important management concern. General ergonomic guidelines exist, but each employee's needs must be considered, and her workstation must be adapted to meet those needs. But ergonomics isn't just about desks and chairs and computer keyboards. It includes behaviors that managers should encourage, such as getting employees to stand up and stretch every half-hour and to look away from computer monitors every few minutes to rest their eyes.
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Things You'll Need
- Lighting
- Ergonomic furniture
- Ergonomic mouse and keyboard
- Flooring
- Seating area
- Art
Instructions
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Install lighting that will illuminate the work area without producing glare on monitors. Use both overhead lighting and desk lamps that can be moved by the user to provide light where it's needed.
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Make sure there is sufficient air circulation and no work stations are placed directly under heating or air conditioning vents.
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Position the computer monitor 30 inches away from the user. Build the desk so the keyboard is below the height of your elbows when you're typing. Use a keyboard tray if necessary. Make sure there's clearance beneath the keyboard tray for a chair.
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Set the monitor directly at eye level. If you need to build a shelf to do this, remember that the desk chair, keyboard and monitor should be aligned.
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Place an ergonomic mouse and keyboard on the desktop. Use ergonomically designed desk chairs that have adjustable arms, backrest and height.
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Lay comfortable flooring that's not harsh on the feet or noisy. Use heavy-duty carpeting, rubber flooring or a floating floor with some give in it.
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Create a seating area away from the desk to encourage workers to get up and move around from time to time. Place posters or artwork around the room if there aren't windows. This encourages workers to look away from their monitor from time to time.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Logitech
