Ultimate Guide To An Ergonomic Workstation
The ultimate guide to an ergonomic workstation
Be it a commercial office or in your home, ergonomics in the workplace are vital for both productivity and your physical wellbeing. That stiff neck or aching shoulder you experience during your workday could result from an ill-fitting chair or an inappropriate desk height. In this blog, we’ll look at the vital elements of an ergonomic workstation, how to set up an ergonomically correct workstation and explain how it can benefit you.
What is an ergonomic workstation?
An ergonomic workstation is an area designed specifically for the person using it. Your height, the curvature of your back, your most required movements, and the necessary activities to be undertaken are all considered to create a work environment that allows you to perform at your best. It also ensures that you’re not subjected to needless aggravation or damage to your joints and muscles. Reaching, awkward positions and potential risk of injury are all minimised with an ergonomic workstation. This is why ergonomics in the workplace are an essential consideration when setting up your business. It will help you stay focused on the task at hand rather than that niggling pain or ache.
Let’s start with your chair
How to set up a workstation ergonomically is a question that can be answered through a few basic measurements. Your desk and chair are the main components that need to fit correctly. There are a large number of ergonomic office chairs available on the market. A company such as Elite Office Furniture can assist you with sourcing the most appropriate chair for you.
When considering an ergonomic chair, you need to adjust the back, armrests, and height to suit your body. Your lumbar and spinal curves should be supported, the armrests need to be at a height that allows your arms to rest gently with relaxed shoulders, and the height of the chair should let you sit comfortably with your feet flat on the ground. Should your desk height not allow you to sit at this level, raise your chair and use a footrest to ensure that your knees are level with your hips when seated.
Setting up your desk
An effective ergonomic workstation encompasses the placement of every regularly used item on your desk. Your screen or monitor should be placed at an arm's length away, with the top of the screen at the same height or slightly below eye level. For people who use bifocals, the screen should be a little lower to prevent tilting your head to focus. If you use your phone regularly while having to type, consider using headphones, or if your space allows, a speakerphone to prevent the need to cradle your phone against your ear and potentially cause muscle fatigue in your neck and shoulder. The keyboard needs to be close enough to you to allow you to keep your arms close to your body and your wrists straight. You may wish to include a wrist pad that helps to keep your hands in the correct position. Ergonomics in the workplace can be achieved with these simple measures, and your body will be grateful!
Working more efficiently
When you have a comfortable and practically laid out workspace, you will find your productivity increases due to the ease of access to essential tools such as your phone, notepad, and computer. You may be a tech architect that requires a stand-up desk to complete your drawings. A standing desk will keep your spine straight, lessening the need to stay in an awkward, bent-over position that results in many breaks to stretch and relieve aching muscles. Perhaps you’re a computer programmer who spends hours in the same place staring at a screen. Those hours can be spent in a position that won’t leave you stiff and sore at the end of the day. An ergonomic workstation can address many issues that create discomfort, resulting in increased productivity for any desk-based profession.
Need further advice?
How to set up an ergonomically correct workstation is a question that Elite Office Furniture has the answer to. You may have a unique requirement that a height-adjustable desk will address. Or maybe a corner shaped desk is more appropriate for your needs, allowing you to swivel between work surfaces for different tasks. Ergonomics in the workplace have never been more important as we spend more and more time at our desks and online. Whatever your need, the ultimate ergonomic workstation can be achieved and will see you finishing your day without muscle fatigue, aches or pains from poor posture, overreaching, or repetitive actions.
Get started on enjoying the benefits of an ergonomic workstation today! You will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
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