How Should You Set Up Your Desk to Follow Ergonomic Guidelines?

The U.S. Department of Labor has reported that repetitive work injuries are the nation's most common and expensive problem in the workplace. This problem costs companies billions of dollars each year in worker compensation claims. There is a simple solution to alleviate this problem: Set up your desk in an ergonomically correct fashion.

Chair and Desk Height

• Your chair should be adjusted so your legs fit comfortably under the desk. If you are short make sure that you have a footstool to prevent your legs from dangling under the desk. Always make sure you are sitting straight with your back against the back of the chair. Good posture not only prevents injury but also helps you to work more efficiently. The arms on your chair should be closely aligned with the height of your desk so your arms rest on the desk without having to overextend them.

Computer

• Your computer should be set up at eye level so that you are looking at the middle of your screen. If your workstation is set up correctly, it can help prevent head or neck strain from having to look up or down at your monitor. Make sure you have an arm rest for your keyboard to help prevent wrist strain and carpel tunnel. If you don't know what carpel tunnel is that's good. Let's keep it that way.

Organize Your Desk

• Take time to organize your desk ergonomically correct, because it will definitely benefit you in the long run. Make sure that the items you use frequently are within arm's reach so that you are not overextending your arms or body, which promotes repetitive injuries. Unless you are ambidextrous, you probably are guilty of putting the most frequently used items on your desk on the side of the hand you write with. This is a bad habit to start, because using one side of your body more than the other to reach can also cause strain and injury. The best way to set up your desk is to make sure that items are equally distributed between the left and right side of your desk (while still remaining in arm's reach) to help ensure that both sides of your body get equal use when reaching and doing other desk activities.

Exercise at Your Desk

• If you work in a position where you are at a desk 90 percent of the workday, you likely have a list of desk exercises posted at your workstation that was provided by the company. They are concerned about your health because they need you at work and not on workman's compensation. These exercises are very helpful in preventing repetitive work injures. These exercises include arm circles, arm extensions, leg extensions and wrist bends. Many companies advise you to do these stretches before work and during work to prevent injuries.