12 good tips for precise office ergonomics

A blonde woman with long hair, a red dress and a beautiful body is sitting on the back of an office chair with her legs crossed and talking on the phone in front of a large wooden table, looking at a large window through which skyscrapers can be seen. Her posture is not ergonomic.

What is the most correct position of the body, the computer and other work accessories

When you’re standing behind a desk for hours on end, it’s most important to maintain proper posture, otherwise both your work and your health will go to hell. To help you and your joints feel comfortable, we summarize the comfortable body positions and arrangement of work accessories. Read the following rules – your back and neck will thank you!

A lot depends on the chair

Specialists from the Mayo Clinic have specified the best position of the body behind a desk, so that the legs do not go numb, varicose veins and swelling do not occur due to improper posture:

1. When sitting, the knees should be at the same level as the hips, and this depends a lot on the chair you are sitting on.

2. Its height should be adjusted so that the hips are parallel to the floor when the feet are on it. If the feet do not reach the floor, use a footrest, but they should lie flat.

3. In no case do not cross your legs while working, because this position hinders blood circulation and contributes to the fatigue of the lower limbs.

4. It is important that the armrests are set at such a height that allows the shoulders to feel relaxed and there is no tension in the hands.

A woman and a man side by side sitting on a sofa without a back in gray and brown patterns on a white background. They both wear light shirts and dark pants, he wears a jacket and glasses. The man looks at the woman smiling, next to her there is a standing desk, a window and a green plant. She is working on a laptop on a small portable desk and is pointing at something on the screen. The two are working, but the woman has not taken a comfortable position for work.
Photo: Unsplash

A keyboard without a mouse?

Here’s how experts from UCLA’s Department of Ergonomics advise you to place the main tools of work so that your hands don’t get tired from work:

1. Pull the keyboard close to you, it should be located directly in front of the body;

2. Adjust the height of the keyboard so that when working with it, the shoulders are relaxed, the elbows form an angle of about 90-100 degrees, and the wrists are straight.

3. The mouse should be as close as possible to the keyboard. The joints and tendons of the working hand suffer a lot from prolonged work with it, so experts advise to master the skill of using the mouse equally well with both the left and right hand. Or learn to do without it, if it is possible for you and if your work allows it.

A long desk with a light gray surface in front of a window, on the sill of which pots of light wood with small cacti are arranged. There are two bamboo stands on the desk to raise the computer to the right height, one stand holds an open laptop, the other a rather large screen. Between them is a wireless mouse on a wooden pad, in front of the laptop is an open notebook with a pen.
Photo: Unsplash

At arm's length

The computer screen, as a rule, should always be at arm’s length from the person. You are now measuring and you are seeing that it’s not actually true, that you are actually leaned forward, right? It depends on whether your spine will curve, will you have neck and vision problems, so measure again! Here’s what to do according to Mayo doctors:

1. Place the monitor directly in front of you at arm’s length. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level and tilted back slightly.

2. The monitor should be right behind the keyboard and there should not be any glare on it – this is the ideal option so as not to strain your vision. Position it so that it is not directly illuminated by overhead or side lighting.

A seated woman is typing on a computer, her face is not visible, only a brownish sweater, blue jeans and her arms are slightly folded and her back is straight so that she is comfortable working on the keyboard.
Photo: Unsplash

The things you need most often

Telephone, headphones, document folder, additional computer, notebook, pen and drawing utensils, glasses – everything you need for the work process should be as close as possible to you. The logical advice of the UCLA specialists is often ignored, and this leads to many movements that are not in the “healthy physical activity” column, but they waste time and put unnecessary stress on the muscles and joints.

1. A phone stand next to the computer would help so you don’t have to wonder where the phone is when you need it most.

2. Using headphones or a speaker will minimize movements that strain the wrists – it is important to spare them.

3. Shelves on the nearest wall – you need them to keep documentation nearby and reach it from your desk.

A white desk in front of a white wall. There is a black and white inscription placed in a golden frame, an open laptop, a glass jar with pink roses in it, three transparent bottles with some colorful things in them, a golden table lamp, a smartphone in a case on a book, next to it a colorful and pink notebook with glasses on them.
Photo: Unsplash

CONTACT US

Give us a call or fill in the form below and we will contact you. We endeavor to answer all inquiries within 24 hours on business days.