Many people don’t realize that a poorly designed computer workstation and/or bad work habits can result in serious health problems. Common problems associated with poor design or habits relating to office ergonomics include discomfort in the back, neck and shoulders, hands and wrists, as well as headaches and eyestrain. These are all symptoms to be aware of while working.
Below are some areas in the office environment where ergonomic problems are commonly found, and some ideas on improvement.
- Adjustable chair adjusted to fit you
- Commonly used office items (monitor, documents, keyboard, mouse, and phone) are positioned close to you
- Adequate lighting and minimal glare
- Take short and frequent rest breaks, and do gentle stretches to keep your muscles limber
- Move your eyes frequently and focus them away from the screen
- Ask for assistance and/or medical advice if necessary.
Chairs
Maintaining good posture while using a computer is your primary defense against fatigue and stress. This doesn’t mean that maintaining the same posture throughout the day is necessary. In fact it is good to vary your sitting postures. It is also a good idea to get out of your chair frequently and move around. Even if it’s for a minute at a time, it’s helpful.
While sitting, it is important to be comfortable. This is a personal issue, and everyone is different, which you should recognize when considering an office chair. In addition, a chair should have sufficient adjustability to allow for various postures during the day. Chairs should have adjustability in the seat height and depth, backrest height and seat tilt. Armrests are not necessary (nor recommended), but if they are desired they should be adjustable in height and width.
Monitors
Your monitor should sit directly in front of you, and in line with the keyboard. A twisted working posture may lead to discomfort. Also, the top of the screen should be at or a little below eye level, as it is natural to look slightly downward. When determining monitor distance, place it at about arm’s length, and then adjust according to your comfort level. For bifocal wearers, read the Vision section.
If the job requires privacy while working, instead of rotating your monitor to one side, consider a privacy screen, which will allow you to keep the monitor directly in line with you and the keyboard.
Finally, keep your computer screen clean by wiping it very lightly when needed with a paper towel or special cleaning solution.
Documents
If the job requires working from paper documents while at a computer, it’s important to keep them as close as possible to the computer screen, and at about the same angle. This will eliminate a twisted working posture, and also put the document at an easier to read angle.
For frequent users of documents, consider using a document holder. There are ones available that place the document to the side of the monitor, between the monitor and keyboard, and even some that can hold books. Consider your personal preference and job needs when looking for one.
Keyboards
The position of your hands and wrists on the keyboard is important. The keyboard should be at or slightly below elbow height, and parallel with your forearms. If it is possible to slope the keyboard (although not necessary), make it a slightly downward slope (the front of the keyboard is higher than the back).
This may sound unconventional, but the idea is to keep your wrists straight (in a neutral/natural position of function). In other words, if the keyboard is below elbow height, a downward sloping keyboard allows this. If your keyboard has feet on the back that prop the keyboard up, make sure to lower those feet, in order to keep your wrists straight.
Adjustable keyboard trays can be helpful in this regard (although most times not necessary). Individual factors (height, weight, and amount of keyboard and mouse use) will determine if the use of keyboard tray is the right solution.
If you type frequently and do not touch-type, consider taking a typing class. You can alleviate the annoyance of having to shift your eyes from the keyboard to the monitor, which, if done repetitively, may lead to discomfort. Also, you will become more productive. It is also beneficial to learn shortcut keys (versus using a mouse for every command).
Mouse
The mouse should be positioned as close to the keyboard as possible, and at about the same height, as they are normally used together. You want to avoid reaching to get to the mouse. It is also advisable to avoid resting your forearm or wrists on a sharp edge or hard surface as this constant, direct pressure may lead to discomfort.
It’s best to use an oval style mouse and consider rotating mouse use between the right and left hands every 30 days. It is the most effective way to maintain long-term ergonomics success.
There are other alternatives to using a traditional mouse, such as trackballs and touch pads; however, they are stationary and don’t allow for rotation.
Phone Use
If the phone is a commonly used item at your work area, keep it within comfortable arms reach, so it’s easy to get to. If you have the tendency to cradle the phone, consider getting a hands free headset, as cradling the phone between your head and shoulder strains the muscles in the neck and shoulder. A headset will also allow you to work with both hands while conversing on the phone.
Lighting
Your work area should have moderate, indirect lighting. Lights in front of you are hard on the eyes while lights behind you produce reflected glare. To minimize glare, position your monitor so it’s perpendicular to or below the light source, use window shades, or tape a piece of cardboard across the top of the monitor to act as a visor. Glare screens can reduce glare if needed.
Vision
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, keep them clean. For bifocal wearers, it is important to be aware of your monitor height. Consider placing it at a lower height than normal to avoid tilting your head back, which may lead to neck discomfort. It might be beneficial to consider a pair of computer glasses.
Good tips to avoid eyestrain: Blink often, and take frequent rest pauses. Close your eyes for a minute, refocus by looking away from your monitor at something in the distance, and roll your eyes up and down, left to right.
Rest Breaks
Short, frequent breaks are more beneficial than longer, more infrequent ones. Sitting for more than two to three hours without moving can put stress on the body. Breaks can be as simple as standing up and walking around your desk three times. You should also break up your sitting period by walking to the water fountain, printer, etc.
Exercises
Here are some tension-relieving exercises that you can do throughout the day:
- Tightly clench your hand into a fist and release, fanning out the fingers. Do 3 times.
- With elbows straight, bend your wrists back as far as they will go, hold for 3 seconds then extend wrists as far as they will go. Do 5 times.
- Stand up straight, place your hands on your hips and bend backwards at the waist, gently. Do 5 times
- Touch the fingertips of your hands together just behind the top of your head without letting your hands touch your head, move your elbows in a backward direction, hold 5 seconds then relax. Do 3 times.
- Tuck your chin in while keeping your eyes level; hold 3 seconds and then relax. Do 5 times.
- Roll your head in circles, stretching more toward each shoulder. Do 5 times.
Additional Exercises
- Cubicle Calisthenics
Steve Thompson is president of Aspen Risk Management Group and ERGOhealthy. Contact Steve at: 619-294-9863 or www.ergohealthy.com, or www.aspenrmg.com
Ergonomics in the Office
By Steve Thompson (some information from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Many people don’t realize that a poorly designed computer workstation and/or bad work habits can result in serious health problems. Common problems associated with poor design or habits relating to office ergonomics include discomfort in the back, neck and shoulders, hands and wrists, as well as headaches and eyestrain. These are all symptoms to be aware of while working.
Below are some areas in the office environment where ergonomic problems are commonly found, and some ideas on improvement.
1. Adjustable chair adjusted to fit you
2. Commonly used office items (monitor, documents, keyboard, mouse, and phone) are positioned close to you
3. Adequate lighting and minimal glare
4. Take short and frequent rest breaks, and do gentle stretches to keep your muscles limber
5. Move your eyes frequently and focus them away from the screen
6. Ask for assistance and/or medical advice if necessary.
Chairs
Maintaining good posture while using a computer is your primary defense against fatigue and stress. This doesn’t mean that maintaining the same posture throughout the day is necessary. In fact it is good to vary your sitting postures. It is also a good idea to get out of your chair frequently and move around. Even if it’s for a minute at a time, it’s helpful.
While sitting, it is important to be comfortable. This is a personal issue, and everyone is different, which you should recognize when considering an office chair. In addition, a chair should have sufficient adjustability to allow for various postures during the day. Chairs should have adjustability in the seat height and depth, backrest height and seat tilt. Armrests are not necessary (nor recommended), but if they are desired they should be adjustable in height and width.
Monitors
Your monitor should sit directly in front of you, and in line with the keyboard. A twisted working posture may lead to discomfort. Also, the top of the screen should be at or a little below eye level, as it is natural to look slightly downward. When determining monitor distance, place it at about arm’s length, and then adjust according to your comfort level. For bifocal wearers, read the Vision section.
If the job requires privacy while working, instead of rotating your monitor to one side, consider a privacy screen, which will allow you to keep the monitor directly in line with you and the keyboard.
Finally, keep your computer screen clean by wiping it very lightly when needed with a paper towel or special cleaning solution.
Documents
If the job requires working from paper documents while at a computer, it’s important to keep them as close as possible to the computer screen, and at about the same angle. This will eliminate a twisted working posture, and also put the document at an easier to read angle.
For frequent users of documents, consider using a document holder. There are ones available that place the document to the side of the monitor, between the monitor and keyboard, and even some that can hold books. Consider your personal preference and job needs when looking for one.
Keyboards
The position of your hands and wrists on the keyboard is important. The keyboard should be at or slightly below elbow height, and parallel with your forearms. If it is possible to slope the keyboard (although not necessary), make it a slightly downward slope (the front of the keyboard is higher than the back).
This may sound unconventional, but the idea is to keep your wrists straight (in a neutral/natural position of function). In other words, if the keyboard is below elbow height, a downward sloping keyboard allows this. If your keyboard has feet on the back that prop the keyboard up, make sure to lower those feet, in order to keep your wrists straight.
Adjustable keyboard trays can be helpful in this regard (although most times not necessary). Individual factors (height, weight, and amount of keyboard and mouse use) will determine if the use of keyboard tray is the right solution.
If you type frequently and do not touch-type, consider taking a typing class. You can alleviate the annoyance of having to shift your eyes from the keyboard to the monitor, which, if done repetitively, may lead to discomfort. Also, you will become more productive. It is also beneficial to learn shortcut keys (versus using a mouse for every command).
Mouse
The mouse should be positioned as close to the keyboard as possible, and at about the same height, as they are normally used together. You want to avoid reaching to get to the mouse. It is also advisable to avoid resting your forearm or wrists on a sharp edge or hard surface as this constant, direct pressure may lead to discomfort.
It’s best to use an oval style mouse and consider rotating mouse use between the right and left hands every 30 days. It is the most effective way to maintain long-term ergonomics success.
There are other alternatives to using a traditional mouse, such as trackballs and touch pads; however, they are stationary and don’t allow for rotation.
Phone Use
If the phone is a commonly used item at your work area, keep it within comfortable arms reach, so it’s easy to get to. If you have the tendency to cradle the phone, consider getting a hands free headset, as cradling the phone between your head and shoulder strains the muscles in the neck and shoulder. A headset will also allow you to work with both hands while conversing on the phone.
Lighting
Your work area should have moderate, indirect lighting. Lights in front of you are hard on the eyes while lights behind you produce reflected glare. To minimize glare, position your monitor so it’s perpendicular to or below the light source, use window shades, or tape a piece of cardboard across the top of the monitor to act as a visor. Glare screens can reduce glare if needed.
Vision
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, keep them clean. For bifocal wearers, it is important to be aware of your monitor height. Consider placing it at a lower height than normal to avoid tilting your head back, which may lead to neck discomfort. It might be beneficial to consider a pair of computer glasses.
Good tips to avoid eyestrain: Blink often, and take frequent rest pauses. Close your eyes for a minute, refocus by looking away from your monitor at something in the distance, and roll your eyes up and down, left to right.
Rest Breaks
Short, frequent breaks are more beneficial than longer, more infrequent ones. Sitting for more than two to three hours without moving can put stress on the body. Breaks can be as simple as standing up and walking around your desk three times. You should also break up your sitting period by walking to the water fountain, printer, etc.
Exercises
Here are some tension-relieving exercises that you can do throughout the day:
• Tightly clench your hand into a fist and release, fanning out the fingers. Do 3 times.
• With elbows straight, bend your wrists back as far as they will go, hold for 3 seconds then extend wrists as far as they will go. Do 5 times.
• Stand up straight, place your hands on your hips and bend backwards at the waist, gently. Do 5 times
• Touch the fingertips of your hands together just behind the top of your head without letting your hands touch your head, move your elbows in a backward direction, hold 5 seconds then relax. Do 3 times.
• Tuck your chin in while keeping your eyes level; hold 3 seconds and then relax. Do 5 times.
• Roll your head in circles, stretching more toward each shoulder. Do 5 times.
Additional Exercises
• Cubicle Calisthenics
Steve Thompson is president[sca1] of Aspen Risk Management Group and ERGOhealthy. Contact Steve at: 619-294-9863 or www.ergohealthy.com, or www.aspenrmg.com
[sca1]Steve, its AP style to put titles down when they don’t immediately precede a name i.e President Obama is… but Barack Obama, the president, is ….
In a paper of this nature, I’m sure it’s fine to use capitals. But whatever your choice, it should be consistent throughout — so Tami’s and my titles would also need to be capped.