Strain injuries from repetition, force, and posture are most common for workers with desk jobs. Ergonomic workstations provide the adjustability required for the right fit between our bodies, tools, and tasks—keeping you comfortable and healthy.
Head and neck
Social ergonomics is the study of organizations and people and how to make them feel more productive, healthy, and connected. The following activities are great ways to stay connected with others at work:
- Avoid craning forward, keep head in-line with torso
- Check monitor distance from eyes, keep monitor arm distance away
- Adjust/increase text size
Shoulders
Cognitive well-being is the understanding of how we perceive and approach our work, tools, and workplaces. The following activities are great ways to reset and refocus at work:
- Avoid twisting at neck, keep primary monitor straight ahead
- Check work surface height—too high or too low will cause muscle tension
- Check mouse distance (try moving elbow closer to the body)
Lower back
Physical ergonomics is about the body’s response to physical work demands and the fit between our bodies and the tools we use. The following tips can help you avoid strain or pain while working:
- Check chair height, knees should be approximately 90°, thighs parallel to floor
- Avoid slouching towards monitor
- Check if seat pan depth is preventing use of backrest
Hand numbness
Social ergonomics is the study of organizations and people and how to make them feel more productive, healthy, and connected. The following activities are great ways to stay connected with others at work:
- Check wrist angle—arm should be straight from elbow to fingertips
- Avoid twisting at neck, keep primary monitor straight ahead
- Check for high contact pressure on wrist or forearm
Foot and leg numbness
Cognitive well-being is the understanding of how we perceive and approach our work, tools, and workplaces. The following activities are great ways to reset and refocus at work:
- Check seat pan depth, keep two to three fingers’ distance between back of knee and chair
- Check chair height, knees should be approximately 90°, thighs parallel to floor
- Feet supported on floor or footrest
Eye strain
Physical ergonomics is about the body’s response to physical work demands and the fit between our bodies and the tools we use. The following tips can help you avoid strain or pain while working:
- Check monitor distance from eyes, keep monitor an arm's distance away
- Check monitor height, sightline should fall on the top third of the screen
- Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds
- Wear bifocals? Tilt your screen up slightly or lower monitor
