Safety Workspace

1. GOING BEYOND
COMPUTERS

2. Why the interest in computers?
 Office workers spend one-third
of the workday on the
computer.
 Work related musculoskeletal
disorders (WMSDs) are
associated with computer tasks
and workstations.
 Good business sense to improve
the environment for morale and
efficiency.

3. Looking beyond the computer
 Look at the whole workstation, not just the computer
or chair.
 Create a positive work environment that includes
working with an adjustable workstation and places
the worker into a neutral position utilizing good
posture.

4. Posture and neutral position
gets the first look

5. Look at the seating
The seating should have the following
features:
 Adjustable seat (height and tilt)
 Adjustable backrest (height, angle, and
depth)
 Adjustable arms (height, width, and
angle)
 Comfortable lumbar support
 Waterfall front edge
 Swivel
 Five legs for stability
 Casters designed for the floor surface
(soft, hard, locking, etc.)
 Fabric that breathes

6. Additional comments on seating
 Different sizes and styles
 Fitting the individual worker,
not one size fits all
 Weight load testing on the
chair (250-275 lb. range)
 Fitting the task/work
including the fabric selection

7. Working surfaces
 Standard desks from the
fifties
 Straight, sharp edges on the
wrists and forearms
 Non-adjustable heights
 Rounded edges
 Non-glare producing
surfaces

8. Lighting
 Slightly dimmer than
general office lighting by
30 to 50%
 Task lighting
 Overhead lighting and
avoiding shadowing
 Window effects (blinds,
curtains, glass treatments)

9. Glare
 Can be produced by
shiny paint surfaces,
mirrors, glass,
metals, and overhead
lighting in the work
area
 Position work away
from windows and
direct lights

10. Temperature and air quality
 68 to 72 degrees
 Avoid air blowing
directly on
employees
 Employee-built
vent-deflecting
systems
 Plants and
chemicals

11. Noise
 Noise from equipment, radios-CDs, co-
workers, and other work areas
 Relocate printers and copiers
 Partition use

12. “Traffic”
 Interruption to work
 Coffeepots and copiers at the central area of
work
 Open work areas encourage “flocking” at
individual work areas
 Employee lounges

13. Cord Management
 Cords can be a trip hazard and
an electrical nightmare
 Cords should be secured and
away from the feet, walk
spaces, drawers, and sharp
edges.
 Good idea to color code or label
cords for easy identification
 Shut down electrical
equipment at the end of the
workday.

14. Files
 Organize work at the desk
 File cabinets organized to
have frequent work at
waist-chest level
 Infrequent, heavy file loads
in the bottom levels
 Lighter loads in the top
drawers
 No storage on the top

15. Work habits
 Organize equipment to fit the work process
and needs
 Keep frequently used items close at hand
 Schedule short tasks such as filing between
in-depth computing tasks
 Take breaks & move about
 Do desk exercises

16. Desk exercises
 Blink!!! and exercise eye muscles
frequently to avoid eye strain
 Head rolls side to side and front to back
 Shoulder shrugs
 Arms over the head stretching side to
side
 Arms over the head stretching
backwards
 Stretching legs outward off the floor
 Ankle rolls
 Seated knee raises

17. Odds and ends
 Carpet cuts down on noise, but
can contribute to trip and
allergy hazards.
 Enclosed darkened work areas
away from windows can be
bad.
 Store sharp items such as pens,
scissors, and tacks when not in
use. Always carry scissors
pointing downwards.
 Keep trashcans, briefcases,
backpacks, and boxes out of
walk spaces.

18. More odds and ends
 Plants and personal items can
be good.
 Office camaraderie is good.
 Management support is great.