Ergonomics in the workplace is a topic that is far too often underestimated. Regardless of whether it is a large office space or a home office, if you work sitting for hours, you have to set up your workplace ergonomicallyhealth problemsto avoid. In addition to the right office furniture, other factors also play a role. What should you pay particular attention to when setting up? What equipment should not be missing from an ergonomic workplace? And which setup errors should be avoided? We answer these questions in the article!
The very first and most important step in furnishing an office is choosing the right furniture. These should be ergonomic and offer a high level of comfort. Only then can employees feel good and perform to their full potential.
Choose the right desk
A computer workstation without a desk is unimaginable. ThereSitting for long periods is unhealthya height-adjustable desk is recommended for the ergonomic design of the office. The stand-sit table offers many advantages - on the one hand it improves back health and on the other hand it increases concentration and performance. You can do whatever else speaks for purchasing height-adjustable desks in the officeread about it at Office Furniture Expert.
Which office chair is the right one?
To protect your back, the office chair must be ergonomically adjustable. What does that mean exactly? The chair must offer various adjustment options to adapt to the user. A flexible backrest and adjustable armrests ensure optimal seating comfort. To sit ergonomically, your thighs should be positioned horizontally, your knees should be at a 90 degree angle and your feet should be flat on the floor.
TheDynamic sitting conceptis currently enjoying great popularity. Special active seating furniture such as kneeling chairs and active stools have been designed for this purpose, which offer great freedom of movement and are increasingly preferred over classic office chairs.
Ergonomic desk accessories
For an ergonomic workplace, a height-adjustable desk and an adjustable chair are not enough. People who work 8 or more hours a day at a computer workstation often have problems in the wrist area. Therefore, office accessories such as an ergonomic keyboard and comfortable wrist rests on the desk should not be missing. A simple trick also helps here: place the keyboard on a folder with an inclined plane so that it is slightly higher and at an angle. This reduces tension in the arms and improves writing comfort.
Tips for more ergonomics in the workplace
In order for the workplace to be designed ergonomically, a few basic rules must be observed. We have summarized the most important of them below.
- Sufficient work space – Especially in shared office spaces, it is important to ensure at least 10 square meters of space per workstation.
- Good lighting conditions – Rooms with sufficient daylight and good ceiling lights that do not glare or cause reflections on the screen are ideal.
- Room design in light colors – Dark furniture and walls appear oppressive and should be avoided in the office. Instead, you need to go for light, natural tones without too much shine or strong accents.
- Large screen – A large monitor is preferable to a laptop when working on a PC. A screen that is at least 22″ large would be recommended. Studies have further proven that theMulti-monitor workstation significantly increases productivity, so purchasing a second monitor can be advantageous in many cases.
- Raise the monitor – If a height-adjustable table is not available at your workplace, you should at least be able to raise the monitor to a higher level. If you look downwards throughout the working day, neck problems will result. The easiest way to regulate the height of the screen is to use a monitor riser. If you work on two screens, they should ideally be positioned at different heights.
- Good working atmosphere – There doesn’t have to be any annoying noise at the workplace. The heating in winter and ventilation in summer must work well. Plants can also contribute to a pleasant atmosphere in the office.
Common mistakes when setting up an office
If you want to set up your workplace ergonomically and comfortably, there are a lot of things you should pay attention to. Here we have listed some of the most common office design mistakes that you should definitely avoid.
The desk is too small or transparent
A large desk provides freedom of movement and allows you to work with multiple monitors and documents. So you have to expect minimum dimensions of 160 cm x 80 cm for the desk. The table top does not have to be transparent at all. Glass desks cause light reflections that reduce concentration and tire eyes more quickly.
The desk is incorrectly positioned
There is no single right place for the desk. However, positioning it directly in front of the window or against the wall is not optimal and can be problematic. It would be advisable to position the desk perpendicular to the window.
Office chair is poorly adjusted
The presence of an ergonomic office chair cannot guarantee a good sitting position. The chair must be adapted to the user and you must ensure good posture yourself. The backrest should be adjusted so that the lumbar support is at belt height. The angle between your upper body and thigh should be between 90 and 120 degrees so that there is no strain on your back.
Too much emphasis was placed on appearance
Although design plays an important role in office design, it is by no means the most important one. First and foremost, the office furniture must be functional and ergonomic and only then must it look good.
Not enough storage space
Ifclutter in the workplaceprevails, you feel cramped and stressed. Therefore, storage spaces, drawers and shelves should not be missing in the office. Everything that is needed frequently must be close by. Documents and papers that are used less should be stored in a separate location.
Conclusion
Good office design can significantly improve productivity in the workplace. Ergonomic furniture ensures greater comfort and prevents health problems. If the workplace is set up ergonomically and a pleasant working atmosphere is created, concentration and performance are improved.
