How To Setup Office Workstations To Keep Employees Comfortable
As the owner of a business, it is your job to ensure that your employees want to come to work every day. If they don't, you have dissatisfied employees, which can lead to a decrease in office morale and a reduction in productivity. One way to keep your employees happy, safe, and healthy all at the same time is to ensure that their office workstations are setup properly in terms of ergonomics.
In some cases, you may even need to give a short presentation to your employees on office workstation ergonomics so they are familiar with how to keep their desks organized and avoid pain and fatigue at work. Here is what you need to know.
Office Chairs
When it comes to selecting office chairs for your employees, the chairs need to be able to fully support the spine. The height on the chairs will need to be adjusted so that the employee's feet are always resting completely flat on the floor with their thighs parallel to the ground. The armrests on the chairs also need to be adjusted so that the employee's arms are softly resting on them while the shoulders are relaxed.
Office Desks
It is important that there is plenty of clearance beneath the desk for each employee's knees, thighs, and even feet. If the office desk is too high and is unable to be adjusted, then the chair should be raised. If the desk is not adjustable and too low, then sturdy blocks or boards should be used to raise the desk. If the employee's feet cannot reach the floor, then a footrest can be used to support the feet.
Desktop Monitors
Desktop monitors should always be placed directly in front of the employee, roughly an arm's length away. The top of the monitor screen should be at or just slightly below the employee's eyesight level so that the employee does not have to look up or down, and it should be placed directly behind the keyboard. For individuals who wear bifocals, make sure that the monitor is lowered an inch or two for increased comfort.
Keyboard and Mouse
The mouse and keyboard should be placed on the same surface, and the mouse and keyboard should both be easily reached from a sitting position. When using either item, the upper arms should remain close the body, wrists straight, and hands at or just below elbow level.
If you are interested in purchasing new furniture for your office, consult with office furniture companies like D&R Office Works, Inc.