Evaluate Ergonomic Furniture For Office

By Adriana Noton

Years ago it seemed like every typist was complaining of something called "carpal tunnel syndrome." Then there was a rash of backaches and headaches. Now it's a new malady called "computer vision syndrome and digital eye fatigue." Can ergonomic furniture for office really help with all these worker complaints?

In these tough economic times, every business strives to cut expenses, often by laying off employees. The employees who remain are struggling under workloads meant to be handled by two, three or more workers. The emotional strains of the workplace are more than enough without risking physical injury because of cheap or poorly designed furniture.

The rise of computer use by business has been a major driving force behind the increased use of functional analysis for ergonomic furniture for office. Constant typing to enter and retrieve information from a computer, looking at a brightly lit computer screen all day, and sitting for long hours while working on a computer all have taken a toll on workers, often leading to a rise in worker's compensation claims. As a result, employers are taking seriously the benefits that ergonomic furniture for office can bring to their businesses.

Ergonomics addresses all of these factors and more when it comes to selecting and installing green office furniture. An ergonomic analysis is designed to consider a worker's primary functions or tasks. Precise measurements are made of both the worker and his or her workstation to determine the optimum placement of furniture and equipment for maximum performance. This analysis also results in setting up a workplace environment design to reduce significantly the risks associated with job tasks.

In addition, each worker probably will have different needs for how the chair can be adjusted. The one thing that all ergonomic office chairs have in come is that they should be balanced on five wheels, not the typical four, so that they're less likely to tip over when a person moves.

Whereas in the past desks were often selected before chairs, using ergonomic furniture for office requires selecting the desk after the chair is chosen. The desk must sit at a height where the worker's elbows will be at a 90-degree angle when his or her hands are on the computer keyboard. A desk may need to be raised on sturdy blocks for an extremely tall worker, or it may need to be cut down or replace for a petite worker.

Computer monitors should be of a size that a worker doesn't have to twist his or her head in order to see all the characters on the screen. Workers should be able to reach telephones, recorders and other desktop equipment without having to lean to use them. The telephone in particular should be within arm's reach, or as close to the keyboard as possible. Also the worker should have a telephone headset so that he or she need not cradle the phone between ear and shoulder in order to use the keyboard while talking.

Ergonomic keyboards and computer "mice" should provide maximum support for wrist and arm. This support will minimize tension when typing and reduce the likelihood of repetitive stress injuries. - 29942

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