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Ergonomic Guide

This document provides 10 steps for creating an ergonomic computer workstation. It discusses choosing equipment and furniture that fits the user's body and the intended tasks. Key considerations include choosing adjustable equipment that allows neutral postures for the wrists, arms, and back during prolonged computer use. While specific recommendations are provided, the document notes every situation is different and professional advice may be needed.

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Jellane Señora
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118 views

Ergonomic Guide

This document provides 10 steps for creating an ergonomic computer workstation. It discusses choosing equipment and furniture that fits the user's body and the intended tasks. Key considerations include choosing adjustable equipment that allows neutral postures for the wrists, arms, and back during prolonged computer use. While specific recommendations are provided, the document notes every situation is different and professional advice may be needed.

Uploaded by

Jellane Señora
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ergonomic Guidelines for Computer Workstations - 10 Steps for Users

Written by Alan Hedge, PhD, CPE

Creating a good ergonomic working arrangement is important to protecting your health. The following
steps are a brief summary of those things that most Ergonomists agree are important. If you follow
these steps presented throughout this article series, they should help you to improve your working
arrangement.

Steps 6 and 7, click here

Steps 8 through 10, click here

However, every situation is different, and if you can't seem to get your arrangement to feel right, or you
are confused about some of the following recommendations, you should seek professional advice.

Work through the following 10 steps to help you decide on what will be a good ergonomic design for
your situation:

1. How will the computer be used?

Who will be using the computer?

If the computer will only be used by one person then the arrangement can be optimized for that
person's size and shape, and features such as an adjustable height chair may be unnecessary. If it's going
to be used by several people, you will need to create an arrangement that most closely satisfies the
needs of the extremes, that is the smallest and tallest, thinnest and broadest persons, as well as those in
between these extremes.

How long will people be using the computer?

If it's a few minutes a day then ergonomic issues may not be a high priority. If it's more than 1 hour per
day you should create an ergonomic arrangement. If it's more than 4 hours then you should consider
implementing an ergonomic arrangement.

2. What kind of computer will be used?


Many ergonomic guidelines for workstation arrangements assume that you will be using a desktop
system where the computer screen is separate from the keyboard.

For sustained use you should consider purchasing an external monitor and external keyboard, preferably
with a negative-tilt keyboard, both, and arranging your workspace to create a good workstation layout.

3. What furniture will you use?

Make sure that the computer (monitor, keyboard, mouse) is placed on a stable working surface (nothing
that wobbles) with adequate room for proper arrangement. If the work surface is going to be used for
writing on paper and computer use, the flat surface should be between 28 to 30 inches above the floor
(suitable for most adults).

Choose a system that is height adjustable, that allows you to tilt the keyboard down away from you
slightly for better wrist posture (negative tilt), and that allows you to use the mouse with your upper
arms relaxed and as close to the body as possible and with your wrist in a comfortable and neutral
position.

4. What chair will be used?

Choose a comfortable chair for the user to sit in. If only one person is using this the chair can even be at
a fixed height providing that it is comfortable to sit on and has a good backrest that provides lumbar
support. If more than one person will be using the computer, consider buying and a chair with several
ergonomic features.

Studies show that the best seated posture is a reclined posture of 100-110 degrees not the upright 90
degree posture that is often portrayed. There are significant decreases in postural muscle activity and in
intervetebral disc pressure in the lumbar spine. Erect sitting is NOT relaxed, sustainable sitting, reclined
sitting is.

5. What kind of work will the computer be used for?

Try to anticipate what type of software will be used most often.


Word processing: arranging the best keyboard/mouse position is high priority.

Surfing the net, graphic design: arranging the best mouse position is high priority.

Data entry: arranging the best numeric keypad/keyboard is a high priority.

Games: arranging the best keyboard/mouse/game pad is a high priority.

Continue Reading

Workstation Ergonomic Tips: Computer Monitors and Posture

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Home Technical informationErgonomicsComputer input devices

Ergonomic requirements for computer input devices

Computer input devices

Zoom Image

Computer input devices – seen from a different angle

Source: mICHAEL hÜTER; bOCHUM

Intense work on computers and the associated use of various input devices may lead to disorders in the
musculoskeletal system of the hand, arm, shoulder and/or neck, particularly in individuals already
suffering from painful disorders of the upper extremities which have other causes. In this case,
ergonomically designed input devices are intended to reduce the exposure to stresses and to prevent
further disorders associated with their use. Although standards exist containing requirements for these
devices, their provisions are in some cases formulated in general, descriptive terms, with no quantifying
data. It is therefore difficult to derive specific recommendations from them.

For this reason, the VBG (the institution for statutory accident insurance and prevention in the
administrative sector) has launched a literature study in order to gather current knowledge on the
ergonomic design of input devices and on testing of them against mechanical and physiological criteria.
The results are published in a BGIA-Report which also provides a checklist for selection of suitable input
devices (keyboard and mouses).

Final report

IFA- Ergonomics: Ergonomic requirements for computer input devices

Ergonomic requirements for computer input devices

BGIA Report 3/2008e (PDF, 1.7 MB)

Alternative Eingabemittel an Bildschirmarbeitsplätzen: Checkliste der VBG (in German)

Further information

IFA- Ergonomics: Ergonomic requirements for computer input devices

Research project 4131

Contact

Dr Britta Weber

Administrative unit Innovative workdesign

Tel: +49 30 13001-3030

Fax: +49 30 13001-3030

Email

Dr Kai Heinrich

Division 4: Ergonomics, Physical environmental factors


Tel: +49 30 13001-3451

Fax: +49 30 13001-38001

Email

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