|
Work Area
We are using rapidly evolving computer technology to increase effectiveness and productivity. Most of our historically paper-driven processes have been computerized to better serve our customers' and employees' needs. As we spend increasing amounts of time at our computer workstations, we need to be aware of how the design and arrangement of our equipment can impact our health, comfort, and productivity. Ergonomics is the planning and adapting of equipment and tasks to promote the comfort and efficiency of workers. When we apply ergonomic design principals to the computer work area, furniture, and equipment, visual and musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue are significantly reduced.
Your work area should be large enough for you and the equipment and materials that make up your workstation.
- Have enough space to perform all your required tasks.
- Place the items you use most often directly in front of you.
- Use a headset for lengthy telephone work.
Your work area should be located in a comfortable work environment:
- Avoid overcrowding.
- Do not direct the warm air flow from the central processing unit (CPU) and disk drives towards you.
- Use anti-static floor mats or other static grounding in low humidity workplaces.
| Work Area Checklist |
If you answer NO to any of the following questions, you have a potential problem.
- Is your work area large enough to accommodate you?
- Does your work area provide enough room for the equipment and materials that make up your workstation?
- Are the items you use most often placed directly in front of you?
- Do you use a headset for lengthy telephone work?
- Is your room temperature comfortable?
- Does your work area have an anti-static floor mat or other static grounding?
Download a workstation checklist from OSHA at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/checklist.html |
Back to Creating an Ideal Computer Workstation
Sources:
Oregon OSHA, "Evaluating Your Computer Workstation," http://www.orosha.org/pdf/pubs/1863.pdf
U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration, http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/
|
