SAFETY BLOG

Office Work Station Ergonomics

Office workers sustain over 70,000 injuries in the office setting annually.  Sprains, strains, and repetitive motion injuries account for many of these.

• Falls and slips 35%
• Strains and over exertions 22%
• Struck by or against objects 18%
• Caught in or between objects 10%

Ergonomics:  is the study of man's relationship with his or her workplace.  The employer must fit the task to the person.  OSHA's standards on office ergonomics are found within 29 CFR 1903.1

The ergonomically correct work station:

• Office chair should provide support for the lower back.
• The seat should be fully adjustable in height.
• Monitor terminal should be 18-24 inches away from worker.
• The employee's eyes should be at the same height as the top of the monitor screen.
• Anti-glare technology should be applied to decrease eye strain
• When seated, the employee should sit in an upright position with shoulders back.  Back fully supported.
• Foot rests should be provided for shorter people to add support to the hips and back.
• Upper legs and lower legs should form a 90 degree angle for optimum support.
• The employee's elbows should be level with the keyboard.
• Wrists straight
• This will form a straight line from the elbow to the fingertips
• Add wrist cushions to keyboard bases and mouse pads to decrease carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Adequate lighting to decrease eye strain, but not too much to contribute to monitor glare.
• Anti-slip mats under chairs decreases slips and falls.
• Work space dividers to reduce noise.
• Headsets decrease neck strains for employees that frequently use telephones.

Be safe out there!