Workspace Ergonomics
Some tips for a workspace that is better for your health
Equipment that fits you:
Part of proper ergonomics is getting equipment that fits you. Most office equipment is designed for the "average" sized person to fit the biggest demographic of consumers. If you are outside of the average, you may need to shop around when selecting equipment like desks, chairs, mice.
If your desk or chair doesn't suit you, you may need to adjust or replace it to fit you better. (If needed, staff can contact the Inventory & Purchasing Coordinator in Operations and Resilience to see if there is a more appropriate chair available.)
Ergonomic keyboards and mice can help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSI).
Proper lighting, temperature and sound conditions are important as well.
Smart Setups:
Typical recommendations for a good setup include:
...
Your Daily Responsibility:
- Your parents were right, "Sit up straight!" Good posture (back straight, shoulders back, etc) is important in maintaining a healthy work environment. Also, have your feet flat on the floor (or footrest) and elbows close to your sides.
- Proper breaks are important – recommendations are to get up every 30-40 minutes to reset the supporting muscles and improve circulation – that's also a good time to rest your eyes by focusing on something much further away than your monitor for a while.
Anchor _GoBack _GoBack
More information is available at:
- https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/how-to-make-your-computer-workstation-fit-you?lang=en
- https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tr5915
- https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/careers/all-employees/health-well-being-and-safety/safety/prevention_guidelines_strain_injuries_office_environment.pdf