Computer Workstation Design

A workstation is a place where workers perform their jobs.

According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE)- Display Screen Equipment Regulation 1 (2)(e), 1992 as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) 2002, the workstation is the assembly including the screen, keyboard, other parts of the computer and its accessories like the mouse or other input device), the desk, chair, and immediate work environment.

Many people are using computers as part of their work nowadays. However, the majority of the people regularly adapt to unsatisfactory working conditions ignorantly because they do not understand their body is under strain until they feel genuine pain and even then, still may not understand the cause.

A well-arranged ergonomic workstation can improve workers’ satisfaction and work performance by minimizing the worker’s physical strain and workload. In addition, workstations should be designed to fit workers who use them to prevent poor common workstation risk factors such as adopting awkward positions, eye strain, and upper limb disorders that can lead to certain diseases such as; Musculoskeletal disorders, mental stress, and visual fatigue.

The work performed, equipment, operator, movements, and ergonomic design should be considered when designing workstationsThe work performed, equipment, operator, movements, and ergonomic design should be considered when designing workstations. Click To Tweet In essence, the following should be considered as their correct placement or adjustment can affect work:

Work Area

The most common issue with the work area is constrained space for movement and lighting.

In a well-designed workstation area, users should enter and exit the workstation area safely.
Workers should be comfortable and positioned to complete the work.

All equipment and work activity should be within accessible areas so workers will not have to take uncomfortable positions.

Sufficient and suitable lighting positions are essential to prevent eye strain.

Access to outdoor views may give the worker opportunities to relax from the strain of staring at a monitor.

In addition, the air temperature should be adequate and acceptable.

Desk

A poor ergonomic desk can affect mobility due to incorrect posture. Therefore, if it is possible to purchase a new one, get a height-adjustable desk with a large surface that correctly positions the monitor, keyboard, document holder, mouse, and telephone. When it is not, obtain accessories to do with the existing desk.

A height-adjustable desk can help workers position the keyboard and monitor at the most comfortable height.

The stability and height of the work surface can determine if the worker would be comfortable or not.

Height of the desk should be set according to elbow height.

Avoid sharp edges and choose a desk with rounded and smooth front edges. It will help avoid contact stress on wrists and forearms.

In addition, the work surface should be well organized and free from clutter, and there should be a clear space for legroom underneath free of plugs, wires, and connectors for maximum leg movement and safety.

Chair

Working with a computer workstation requires workers to sit.

Unsuitable chairs can make them adopt awkward postures, leading to discomfort, back pain, and upper limb disorder. While sitting, workers should be able to adopt neutral postures in the following ways:

• Head balanced naturally on a neck that is not bent.
• Ear, shoulder, elbow & hip in one line.
• Shoulders relaxed and not protruding in front of the body.
• Hands, arms, and wrists not bent.
• Back straight and not curved or twisted (workers must sit upright).
• The elbows held close to sides, forearms, and thighs should be parallel to the floor, at a 90 degrees angle to upper arms and lower legs.

The following are the characteristics of a suitable chair

Considering potential users’ differences in body size, an adjustable chair with adequate padding, width, depth, armrest, and adjustable backrest with good lumbar support for the lower and middle part of the back is the ultimate solution.

Chairs with adjustable height are essential for workers to keep their bodies naturally.

The chair’s height should allow the worker to keep feet resting firmly on the ground or a stable footrest, if necessary.

The chair should be adjustable with simple controls that can provide immediate feedback and easily be reached from a seated work position. This can permit the hands to work at elbow height.

In addition, armrests can give valuable support for some workers, especially when getting up or sitting down.

Monitor

The workstation monitor should be positioned directly in front of the body and about 18-30 inches away (within arm’s reach) so the worker can easily read the screen.

The eye level should be about 2-3 inches below the top of the screen.

The monitor should be in good working condition, including screen quality and size, adjustable brightness and contrast, swivel, and tilt functions.

Additionally, a multi-screen setup should be well configured for efficiency and safe working postures if there is a multi-screen setup. Monitor screens should be free from distracting reflections from natural or artificial lights as this can cause headaches and migraines.

Finally, appropriate glasses should be provided for people working with monitors after relevant eye examinations. Such workers should be advised to take breaks while working to allow their eyes to rest.

Keyboard

Keyboards should be in good working condition, appropriate for the user, and easy to read.

The keyboard tray should be lower than the desk and adjustable in order to be able to extend to different heights and positions. If it is not, mount a keyboard tray under your desk to lower the keyboard. Adjustable keyboard trays allow ample clearance between thighs and keyboard trays.

In addition, it should be positioned, so arms and wrists are in a neutral position (wrists straight, not bent or twisted). This can mitigate repetitive strain injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Lighting

Natural lighting is ideal for the workspace as it can boost the workers’ sense of well-being and energy. Conversely, poor lighting will affect workers’ performance and levels of comfort. For example, dim working spaces can make workers turn their necks at an unnatural angle, contributing to neck and shoulder pain.

Poor lighting can also cause eye fatigue, blurred vision, increased myopia, and headaches. At a computer workstation, the placement of the computer and controlling the screen glare or contrast will help improve the user’s level of comfort.

Furthermore, when working with a workstation, the worker should always take frequent breaks of 30-60 seconds every 10 minutes. They should also get up and walk around to stretch their muscles every hour.

Laptops

Since the beginning of the pandemic, digitalization of the workplace has rapidly increased, changing how work is done. This change has initiated teleworking in many nations, leading to more opportunities for workers to do their jobs from home.

The majority of these workers work with laptops. Some of them who do jobs that require prolonged screen time, such as; Cloud-Computing, Advanced Analytics, Quantum Computing, e-retail, etc., face a significant risk of ergonomic problems amongst other health problems. To control any possible risk, the worker must have a safe set-up, and the following should be applied while working with laptops:

• Ensure to use a laptop stand to raise the screen as close to eye level as possible.
• Use an external keyboard to help maintain a neutral wrist when typing.
• If you don’t have the right ergonomic chair but an ordinary chair, adjust with a cushion, seat with the back leaning against the backrest, and feet flat on the ground not crossed.
• The forearms are horizontal and parallel to the ground, with wrists joints in line with the hand rest.
• Ensure there is adequate lighting and sufficient air.
• Always look away from the screen, have frequent breaks and stretch at least every 30 minutes and always hydrate as well.

In conclusion, for an effective ergonomic program, training and education by competent persons will ensure that managers, supervisors, and all affected workers are sufficiently informed about the potential ergonomic risks to which they may be exposed. This kind of program should spell out their causes, symptoms, and means of prevention so workers can participate actively in their protection and practice the best solutions.

Furthermore, the program should include a means for adequately evaluating its effectiveness by using workers’ interviews, testing, and observing work practices to determine whether the workers who received the training understood the work practices to be followed.

I hope after reading this you can now work safely!

Cheers!!!