People who are working desk jobs know the struggles of working in front of a computer for long hours. This is why designing your workstation in an ergonomic manner is very important. Having an ergonomically correct workstation makes you more productive by maintaining the health of your body and making moving around more efficient, setting off a plethora of cumulative benefits.
For example, with an ergonomically designed workstation, you can reduce muscle and joint strain. Hence, you will be comfortable and pain-free throughout your workday – avoiding work-related physical discomfort or pain that can hinder your activities.
Moreover, you will also experience better productivity. Better productivity leads to better work quality. You can concentrate better, make fewer errors, and improve your attention to detail if you are comfortable and free from distractions.
What are the four principles for an optimized workstation layout?
Your workstation must be grounded on the below four principles to achieve maximum benefits from it. Read on to learn more about the four principles that can prove to be highly serviceable to you.
Ergonomics
Always consider ergonomics if you want to make yourself comfortable while sitting or spending extended hours at your desk.
“What is ergonomics and why is it important?” you may ask. Ergonomics focuses on designing workspaces that fit your needs and capabilities. Its main goal is to prioritize your comfort, safety, and productivity while using your workstation.
To achieve maximum comfort and productivity, ergonomics considers various factors, including the following:
Proper chair and desk height
Appropriate monitor placement
Keyboard and mouse positioning
Adequate lighting
We’ll talk about these factors in greater detail in the latter part of this article.
Efficiency
An ergonomically correct workstation also aims to improve your efficiency. Hence, your workstations should be designed well to promote smooth workflow and task completion.
How do you ensure efficiency at your workstation? You must organize your tools, equipment, and other materials in your workspace logically so you can easily access them.
You should also be able to reach your frequently used items easily at your workstation.
The advantage of having an ergonomic workstation is being able to perform your tasks with minimal effort to optimize your productivity. You can also reduce unnecessary movements when reaching for your things, and minimize physical and consequently, mental stress.
Safety
You should always prioritize your safety while planning your workstation layout. This includes identifying potential hazards that may cause accidents or injuries. Here are some tips that you can follow to ensure your safety while planning for your workstation design:
Always clear your pathways
Avoid clutter
Use proper storage solutions to store your tools, equipment, and other materials
Have fire safety measures in place
Flexibility
Your workstation layout and choice of furniture or equipment should accommodate the span of your tasks and work requirements. Meaning, you must consider the necessary adjustments and customizations to be made based on your preferences and job demands. For instance, your furniture and equipment must be adjustable, your workstation must be modular, and your storage solutions must be versatile.
By incorporating flexibility in your workstation, you can modify it to meet the evolving and changing needs of your tasks, work requirements, or organization.
What makes an ergonomically correct workstation?
Having an aesthetically pleasing workstation is not enough. You should also consider a good ergonomic design that focuses on comfort and productivity. Read on to know what key elements to consider for an ergonomically correct workstation.
Desk and Chair
Your desk and chair must be adjustable so you can easily modify them to suit your height and other preferences. Having adjustable desks and chairs can help you improve your posture.
With adjustable desks, you can modify them to ensure that you have enough legroom and space for your equipment.
On the other hand, adjustable chairs should provide proper lumbar support. They should have adjustable seat height and armrests, and have a comfortable cushion. They should also promote a neutral sitting posture and be easily adjustable to fit your body size, needs, and other preferences.
Monitor Placement
The position of your monitor must be at eye level or slightly below and about an arm's length away. With this position, you can maintain a comfortable viewing distance without straining your neck and eyes. To make it easier for you to achieve your preferred monitor height and tilt, use a monitor stand or an adjustable monitor arm.
You should also use a monitor that has an appropriate size and resolution that fits your work requirements.
Keyboard and Mouse
Position your keyboard and mouse in a way that fits your sitting posture. When you’re using them, your forearms must be parallel to the floor, your shoulders relaxed, and your wrists in a natural position. You can use a keyboard tray or an adjustable keyboard or mouse platform if necessary.
When buying a keyboard or a mouse, always consider their ergonomic features, such as a split keyboard design or cushioned palm rests. Get a feel of how comfortably they fit in your hand before committing to one, as landing on the wrong feature for you can prove to be more uncomfortable than having none at all.
Storage and Organization
Keep your workstation free from clutter. Your frequently used items must be within easy reach to minimize repetitive movement. To create an organized and efficient setup, you can also use ergonomic accessories such as document holders, cable management items, and adjustable stands.
You can use cable management items to organize your cables and keep them out of the way. These cable management items include cable ties, cable trays, or cable sleeves. When your cables are organized, you can prevent tripping hazards and maintain a tidy workspace.
Conclusion
Having an ergonomically correct workstation does not only pertain to equipment and furniture. It also involves good posture, efficiency, physical safety, organization, and productivity. If your workstation is ergonomically correct, you can maintain your energy and productivity throughout the day without physical strain, leading to better health and work results.
Check out SilverSpace’s range of office furniture to enhance your office today. Coupled with a renewed attitude to achieving maximum efficiency at the workplace, today is the day to start working towards improved performance and higher satisfaction. Begin by browsing our products here.
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