subject: How To Build An Ergonomic Workstation [print this page] Ergonomics have become very popular in recent years. This is because more and more people are learning that they can have better control of their health. Rather than suffering for years on end due to unhealthy work conditions, people are changing things in their work stations to make them more compatible with their bodies. This is what ergonomics is all about.
Ergonomic products have been considered to be pricier and not attainable for the average person. In the last few years, however, people have realized that ergonomics are not for the rich, trendy or eccentric. Instead, ergonomics are for everyone. There are ways that you can correctly set up an ergonomic workstation that is reasonably priced and much better for your health.
In order to have a work station that is the healthiest, there are some basic concepts that should be followed. These suggestions are ways that you can keep your body the healthiest while working each day.
Your back should rest comfortably against the backrest of your chair. The curves of your back should provide enough support to stop extra pressure on the hips, legs and back. If your back is not fitting correctly against the back, think about using a towel or finding a more ergonomically correct chair.
You must change your position often. In other words, if you sit in any one place for a long period of time, you are going to put extra pressure on your back. Instead, you need to move around. Here are some ideas on how to change your position: Tilt your chair back some so that your back is reclined between 105 and 120 degrees. Sit straight up with your body slightly in a vertical position, your thighs in a horizontal position and your legs vertical. Tilt your chair forward to be less than 90 degrees, but not so much that you feel you are slipping off the chair.
The computer monitor must be between 20 and 40 inches from your eyes. This will help reduce eye strain. If this is a problem, find a new place to sit or use a flat screen monitor or adjustable computer tray so you can make the necessary changes. Also, the monitor needs to be at eye level - not higher or lower. This is important to avoid putting unnecessary strain on your neck. Fix the screen so that the head is not tilted up or down, but is rather facing straight towards the screen.
The keyboard and mouse should be close together in order to avoid straining your hand and arm. Items that are used often need to be within your reach at all times. You should not be stretching and twisting to get reach objects, as this can cause strain to your body, particularly your back and neck.
While ergonomics can help those who are experiencing problems with their health, the best thing you can do is to use ergonomics as a preventative measure. It takes much longer to recover from a health problem than if you can prevent it completely. Having an ergonomic workstation can help either way, however, so it is important to make the necessary changes as soon as possible so you can enjoy your work and feel better at the same time!
