Ergo tips for the office
To eliminate some typical ergonomics hazards, the American Society of Safety Engineers recommends:
- A chair should have a five-point star base for stability, an adjustable back rest, and an adjustable seat pan.
- The top of a computer display screen should be slightly below eye level.
- A document holder that is the same height and distance from the user as the display screen should be provided when the primary task is data entry.
- A keyboard should be detachable and adjustable to allow straight/parallel hand-forearm posture. This is often accomplished using a wrist rest. The keyboard slope should not be greater than 15 degrees.
- The desk or tabletop should allow legroom for posture adjustments for a seated worker and allow for a 90 degree angle of the elbow and the work surface.
- For lighting and glare, the characters on the computer screen should be brighter than the screen background.
- For posture, a typist’s head should be tilted 15 degrees forward or less to keep a vertical position. Elbows should be kept close to the body or supported. The lumbar curve of the back should be maintained. Feet should never be allowed to dangle and should always be supported.
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