Are You Working Comfortably? Article - News And Life Style Articles

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Are you working comfortably?

To reduce the possibility of strain at work regular workstation assessments are recommended. This should be done with every new employee, every time you move desks or at least every 2 years if you work in the same space for a prolonged period of time.

Author: Office Shopping

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The basic principle behind office ergonomics, put simply, is to ensure that a workstation adjusts to each individual worker rather than making each worker adjust to fit their workstation. When people need to alter their posture and positioning to do their job, over time they will experience discomfort and increase their potential for health and safety risks.

How common is the problem?
In the latest Work Environment Survey (2003), 34 per cent of the employed men and 38 per cent of the women agreed, partly or wholly, that they had jobs involving strenuous work postures.

To reduce the possibility of strain at work regular workstation assessments are recommended. This should be done with every new employee, every time you move desks or at least every 2 years if you work in the same space for a prolonged period of time.

To make it easier to asses your workstation you should look at 5 keys areas.

Eyes – Position your monitor so eyes are level with the top of the monitor frame.

If you lean forward or tilt your head to see your monitor screen, the muscles in your upper body may tighten and strain to hold your body in that awkward position. Using a monitor riser or monitor stand will prevent to your neck and aligning your body in a natural position.

Intense glare can strain the eye muscle and cause headaches, fatigue and stress, all of which can hinder productivity. You can minimise the reflective glare from your monitor by placing a screen filter on your computer or a screen filter for the laptop. There is also now a comprehensive range of security screen filters for your monitor or laptop.

Neck – Avoid awkward neck movements and leaning forward towards the monitor, select the correct monitor height – the top of the monitor frame should be at eye level. Always use a monitor riser or a laptop riser.

An other tool to reduce neck strain is a copyholder. Placing documents flat on the desktop or at an awkward viewing angle while ate your computer can cause eye, neck and shoulder strain. Copyholders help minimise this type of discomfort by placing documents in an ergonomically correct viewing position. Copyholders can come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Back – Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time. Sitting in a chair for hours at a time without foot and back support can cause poor leg circulation, back discomfort and overall fatigue. Using a foot rest will raise the level of your leg and reduce the strain on your legs and back.

Most foot rests are fully adjustable and can be adapted to suit your body.

Forearms, wrists and hands – Avoid bending hands up to the wrist when typing, wrists should remain at a similar height to the keyboard and mouse. Forearms should always be parallel to the floor. To prevent pain and stiffness from typing and using a mouse use a wrist rest. Wrist rests are designed to encourage a neutral wrist position while minimising pressure points. A wrist rest should provide the ultimate comfort, it should support but not be too firm and not too soft but always feel “just right”.

Legs and feet – ensure there is adequate space from the back of the knee to the seat pan, this should be a minimum of 50mm. Use correct seat height, thighs should be parallel with the floor, feet flat and knees level with the hips.

Sitting in a chair for hours at a time without foot and back support can cause poor leg circulation, back discomfort and overall fatigue. Using a foot rest will raise the level of your leg and reduce the strain on your legs and back. Most foot rests are fully adjustable and can be adapted to suit your body.

If your office chair does not adjust to provide lumbar support, use a backrest to maintain correct posture and comfort to provide the support you need while you work.

Consumers should choose ergonomic products with their individual needs in mind. Body dimensions, physical conditions and workspace configuration are just some of the factors that should be considered when picking an ergonomic product. Proper fit and the use of these products are only part of a comprehensive approach to office safety and comfort.

The author hereby gives permission to copy this article for the purpose of free distribution so long as all credits and hyperlinks remain in tact and full credit is given to the author.

About Author

ABOUT OfficeShopping.co.uk
Officeshopping.co.uk is an internet-based office supply and stationery store based in the United Kingdom. Shoppers are able to purchase items from a very large inventory of products for home offices, home use, students, and small businesses in the comfort of their own home. Officeshopping.co.uk was created to provide an efficient and affordable way for consumers to purchase everything they need for their home office. Fast and reliable delivery makes Officeshopping.co.uk a must for your office needs. http://www.officeshopping.co.uk Amy Rodda

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Are you working comfortably?