How to Set Up a Safe Work Station

An office or location assigned to an employee or employer from where he can perform his duties is defined as a work station. To eliminate or reduce discomfort, muscle injury and repetitive strain injuries due to prolonged use of a computer, a proper ergonomic design is required to make a work station safe.

Instructions

• 1

  Ensure that the chair and desk at the work station are comfortable and adjustable. Pad the backrest of the chair and check that if offers firm support. Your seated working posture should create a 90-degree angle between your spine and thighs. Coordinate the backrest height and angle with the seat pan angle for comfort. Armrests are optional. They should not restrict you from getting close to the work surface.

• 2

  Make sure you have a footrest if your feet are resting on the chair casters instead of the floor. An adjustable footrest is best since you can reposition the chair's height and adjust the footrest too. Get a tilting footrest if you want to sit in a reclined position. Having a treaded footrest is helpful to keep your feet from sliding. Center your footrest under your desk and ensure that it is not too high or low.

• 3

  Avoid a wrist rest that is too soft as your palms might sink into it. The wrist rest should be smooth and firm and not too wide. To eliminate straining, use a document holder rather than placing your copy on the desktop.

• 4

  Use a desk lamp to read paperwork. Do not place your desk against the wall -- it is better to have a view before you on which you can focus from time to time to prevent eye strain. Ventilate the room through a window or by using a ventilation system. Use plants in the work station to maintain humidity and air circulation since low humidity can cause discomfort in the throat and eyes. Ensure the work station has sufficient lighting and spacing.

• 5

  Position your monitor properly to reduce eye strain and fatigue. Your monitor should be placed directly in front of you. Adjust the angle for comfortable viewing. Level the top of your screen with your eye or a bit lower. Ensure that the screen does not glare and the images are easy to read. Align the keyboard and the mouse on a tray. Do not cradle your phone between the shoulder and ear -- use a headset instead.