Office Solutions That Improve Workplace Ergonomics
Sitting down at a desk all day can take a toll on your health, especially if it isn’t designed well. If you feel your muscles straining during workhours, there’s a good chance something is wrong with your current setup. To avoid serious health problems and musculoskeletal diseases, you should think about making a few ergonomic adjustments to your workstation as soon as possible.
If you aren’t sure how to make a healthier desk setup, we can help. Use the following tips, and you will be a lot more comfortable while you work.
Switch to Sit-Stand Workstations
To improve ergonomics at the workplace, you need a sit-stand workstation. You may not realize it at first, but while you are at the office, you’re sitting down for almost a third of the day. Sitting down for long periods can lead to serious health problems, ranging from an increased risk of obesity to cardiovascular disease.
By switching to an adjustable workstation, you can set your desk’s height, allowing you to stand while you work. This helps reduce strain in your back and legs, which will put you in a better mood during the day. Best of all, if you get tired of standing you can readjust your workstation so you can sit down again.
Big Cat Solutions can review your workspace to determine if sit-stand workstations are right for your organization.
Grab an Anti-Fatigue Mat
To compliment your new sit-stand workstation, you should purchase an anti-fatigue mat. While standing helps prevent back problems, fatigue can still set in after you stand for a fair amount of time.
Anti-fatigue mats use a special material that lets them provide a cushion for workers. This reduces the amount of stress that is placed on the legs, which keeps you from tiring out before the workday concludes.
On top of this, the mats resist several types of liquids, including water and coffee. This prevents slips in the office, which reduces the risk of onsite accidents and compensation claims.
Practice Better Sitting Habits
Having the perfect office chair to sit on is good for ergonomics, but it won’t matter how good your chair is if you don’t sit properly. All too often office workers let themselves slouch in their chairs or hunch over their keyboards. By practicing better ergonomic habits while you sit, you can keep productive and avoid serious health issues later in life.
Always sit up straight, and check to make sure your feet are laid flat on the ground. Always sit at least 20 inches from your computer screen to avoid eye strain, and let your shoulders relax. Don’t try to lift your shoulders up too often. Finally, don’t let yourself lean to one side as you work, as this can curve your spine and cause back pain.
Positioning Your Computer
f you primarily work on a computer, you need to evaluate how everything is positioned. Some adjustments will need to be made if you don’t feel comfortable as you type up documents.
First, make sure your keyboard and mouse are lined up in a way that lets you reach them with your wrists straight out. This helps reduce arm strain over long periods of time. Keyboard trays are also helpful to have, since they give you something to rest your wrists on.
To prevent neck strain, position your monitor so the top of the screen lines up with your forehead. For an additional benefit, tilt the monitor 15 degrees, either forward or back. This will keep you from tilting your head as you work.
Create Zones for Reaching Supplies
The key to crafting an ergonomic workstation is making sure you can comfortably reach the tools you need. In order to reduce muscle strain, you should keep your most essential tools as close to you as possible. A smart way to do this is to divide your tools and office supplies into sections on your desk.
First is the primary zone, which consists of the tools you use the most, like your mouse and keyboard. These items should be kept within a range of 15 inches. That way, you don’t have to stretch out the upper part of your arm to grab what you need the most.
The secondary zone, which extends to 27 inches, should be reserved for items you don’t need to use quite as often. Examples would be your smartphone or a calculator.
Last is the third zone, extending up to 45 inches, which is for anything else you want to have out, but don’t have immediate use for.
Need help improving the ergonomics of your workplace?
Big Cat Solutions can help you with a free ergonomic office evaluation.
