The document discusses the significant impact of ergonomic workstations on employee health and productivity, highlighting the importance of adjustable seating, proper desk ergonomics, and organization to enhance the work environment. It addresses various factors such as posture, lighting, noise control, and workspace organization that can contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Recommendations for creating a positive and efficient workspace include regular breaks, desk exercises, and management support.

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.