Ergonomic Workstations

Uses

• Ergonomic workstations can provide a suitable working area for a few different jobs types, including packaging work and product assembly work. However, its most common application tends to involve computer based work. Most businesses have computers these days, and employees who use these can typically sit working for long periods of time. The design of an ergonomic computer workstation can provide an improved set up for this type of work.

Purpose and Benefits

• The use of ergonomic workstations should help to make the user more comfortable, reduce fatigue experienced while working, and remove the opportunity for sitting or standing in awkward postures. The design should also serve to decrease the chances of suffering injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury. The benefits of this can include improved employee morale, a reduction in workplace complaints and an improvement in the productivity of workers.

Components

• An ergonomic workstation can typically comprise a few different components. The two main elements of this include a table or desk and chair. The ergonomic design of these should ensure that a worker can sit or stand in a comfortable position for work. A few additional pieces can also feature in ergonomic workstation setup. These include footrests, wrist rests and document holders.

Typical Features

• The components of an ergonomic workstation should have adjustable parts, such that they can be set up and adjusted to best suit the body shapes and needs of the user. Desks should have adjustable legs to allow lowering or raising the work surface to a comfortable working height. It should also have sufficient legroom to enable changes in leg position, and the work surface should have enough room to easily accommodate all work related equipment and materials. Ergonomic chairs should have adjustable height and should also have seats and backrest which can be moved into different positions to suit the user.

Manufacturers

• A number of manufacturers produce ergonomically designed workstation furniture. Some of the companies competing in the market include Dehnco, Ergoware, Office Organix and Peripheral Manufacturing Inc. These produce a variety of ergonomic workstation styles, with some focusing on furniture for computer-related work, while others produce workstations for different job types.