1. Department of Environmental Health and Safety
University of Alabama
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Office Ergonomics

2. Why Bother?
Safety
Health
Comfort
Productivity
Economics

3. Where to Start?
Back Support

4. Back Support Supports your back Promotes good posture
Helps to eliminate the urge to lean and/or prop
Allows user to assume a “neutral” position
Makes the keyboard and mouse easier to use

5. What’s Next? Neutral Position Desk Height Foot support Wristrest
Monitor Height
Viewing Distance
Vision
Lighting
Reach

6. Neutral Position
Arms loose at one’s side, wrists parallel to the top of the keyboard
Easier keying/mousing
Less fatigue
More productive

7. Desk Height The “correct” height varies from individual to individual
Average height for women inches
Average height for men
The “correct” height allows the user to be in a neutral position WITH their feet flat on the floor

8. Foot Support
Allows a person to work at a desk height too high for them
Increases back support
Reduces pressure on the under side of the thighs
Increases circulation
Comfort

9. Wristrests Recommended for all workstations
Helps maintain a neutral wrist position when not typing
Greatly reduces repetitive wrist motions
Reduce pressure points
Increase circulation

10. Monitor Height
Top of the glass of monitor should be at or slightly below eye level
Bifocal wearers should lower monitor as low as possible to eliminate unnecessary neck motions

11. Viewing Distance Approximately 12-18 inches About arms’ length
Whatever is comfortable for the individual’s eyesight at the time
Monitor size and font size and color come in to play

12. Vision Frequent eye exams, at least every 2 years
Avoid constant re-focusing. Keep copy, monitor and frequently viewed objects in the same focal plane

13. Lighting
Keep monitor as vertical as possible to reduce reflected glare from overhead lighting
Work at right angles to windows
When possible reduce ambient lighting levels, i.e. not working from copy
Turn-off back ground auxiliary lighting

14. Reach Arrange entire workstation by frequency of use
Do not frequently reach more than inches

15. Task Breaks Take task breaks at least every 2 hours
A task break does NOT mean you go outside with a candy bar and a coke and smoke a cigarette
A task break means you get up and do some of your other job duties such as filing, copying, etc.

16. Miscellaneous
Mix (as much as possible) computer tasks with non-computer –vs- marathon computer session, then file all of today’s paperwork, then make copies, etc.
Get up as much as possible
Avoid leaning and/or propping

17. “Gadgets” Keyboard trays “Ergonomic” keyboards
“Gel” wristrests/mouse pads
Trackball and other mice
Copy stands
Arm supports

18. Cradling the Telephone
Don’t do it
Why are you doing it
Time
Shoulder rests
Headset