The Importance of an Optimal Ergonomic Work Place

An ergonomic workplace is about more than just a height adjustable desk and a good chair. There are many other tools that help create ergonomic workspace. Proper Lighting, ergonomic matting and screen distance are some of the considerations that make for good ergonomics.

With these tips and tools, you can optimise your workstation and create a good, ergonomic working position.

Monitor – Place your monitor at arm’s length. Our eye level controls how we hold our head, so a good tip is to lower the screen so that your eyes are level with the upper edge, then glance down and the head is held in a comfortable position. By looking slightly downward, you can relax the eyes and they become less irritated. To make it easier to adjust the screens, they can be placed on a monitor arm.
Mouse & Keyboard – Keep the mouse near the keyboard so that you have your arm close to your body, keeping your arm straight. Avoid twisting the wrist. An alternative to a standard mouse is an ergonomic mouse, they allow you to work centrally, resting your wrists.
Lighting – Poor lighting can lead to aches and pains in the body, since it causes you to sit in a weird position to see properly. A great tip is to place your desk lamp to the left if you are right-handed and to the right if you are left-handed, this way you will avoid your hand casting shadows as you write.
Ergonomic standing mat – For standing work, it is important to have a good mat that doesn’t put your body under unnecessary stress.
Desk – The desk, preferably a height adjustable one, should be at a height that allows you to sit with relaxed shoulders, with your elbows at a 90 degree angle. A desk that is too high makes you pull your shoulders up which causes them to be strained, whilst a desk that is too low makes you hang more with your head and causes tension in the neck and shoulders.
Office chair – Make sure to use the different settings your Office Chair has to offer so that it is customized specifically to your body size. The seat should be set so that both your feet are flat on the floor. To enhance the position an ergonomic foot rest can also be used. Sit back into the seat and tip the seat slightly downwards so that you get a slightly sloped position, this promotes blood circulation in the legs. It may also be helpful to replace the chair with an ergonomic saddle stool now and again to help build up the body’s posture and muscles.