When you think of the lies and falsehoods we pick up in our lifespan, it is hard to tell which one is the most striking. Whether George Washington chopping down the cherry tree, or that period in the past when people were told that the world was flat, myths have been around as long as the facts. A myth (or falsehood) is repeated to us whenever we shop is this: One size fits all. In all the subjects I have seen are marked with this phrase, I’ve never seen them in reality fit any person who desires to wear or utilize them. In fact, some clothing manufacturers confess “all” is a bit of a stretch and is now print “one size fits many” on their clothes. The place that most needs to catch up with the idea that one size does not fit all is ergonomic workstation designers. People who provide office space with desks, computers and chairs all the same do not realize that an ergonomic workstation will be different for each person they recruit.

Chair and desk

Everyone has a different body, and needs a chair that suits and encourages the best posture for this person to function in. A good quality chair is a must in any ergonomic workstation and should be able to be easily adjusted and have a back that is high enough to support the spinal column without any pressure points. The arms need to be supported by armrests that are aligned to the desk to make sure the wrists hang at a relaxed level to interact with the keyboard. The Chair should also have a caster-set 5 wheel base so there is more balance to the central point of the chair and the wheels should move easily. The Desk should be at a height that workers sit with their feet on the ground and have at least eight to ten inches between the top of their legs and the desk. This will also help the monitor stay at a higher level.

The video below is an example of how one computer worker has designed his own ergonomic workstation.


Keyboard and Mouse

Factory workers used to be the undisputed number one sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive motion injuries. Typists and data entry personel are now challenging them for the number of insurance claims filed each year. For this reason keyboard placement is a major factor in an ergonomic workstation. A keyboard should be in a position slightly below the wrist, so the hands float above the keyboard and the fingers can move freely. The wrist pillows are popular items that they actually impede the process approach to continuous typists because your wrists resting up on a wrist pad cause hands to be on a bad angle. Keyboard itself should have a spring assisted keys so they can give impetus to the fingers and can be placed in the opposite inverted position. A mouse should be close enough to the keyboard that the typist does not have to reach or stretch or put their hand in an unnatural position to use it.

Monitor and Printer

A great source of neck strain is having to look down to see the screen. The monitor of an ergonomic workstation should be at eye level, allowing the head to be at no more than a 30 degree angle. The monitor should be about 20 to 30 inches away from the eyes of the typist and should be adjustable so that the glare of lights or the sun does not interfere with the work. The printer should be in a position away from the office, so the typist can get up and travel around to get paperwork. The small break in traffic helps the body maintain work longer because it is not in the same position all day. If a printer will be within reach, it should be on the desktop in a way that the typist is not encouraged to stretch or lean back to get the paper.

In researching the components for an ergonomic workstation you should research and find out what others have said. Amazon reviews is actually a good source of unbiased data but only on those items that have a number of comments. People who bother th leave a comment are either real happy or real unhappy. Reading these reviews will give you a better understanding of the pros and cons of the products that you are considering. For example check out ergonomic workstations and look for what you would like and see if it has a number of reviews. If it does click on the number and read both the good and the bad.

Realizing a workstation type does not fit all people will save dollars, pain and time for the business and the employee. This is a truth worth pursuing.

Some Ergonomic Tools:

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