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What is Ergonomics in the Workplace?

  • Updated
Picture of Ronel Hendry
Ronel Hendry

An ergonomic workplace is essential for the health and wellbeing of all workers. Aching backs, carpal-tunneled wrists and other ailments lead to employee discontent, an increase in sick days and overall lower productivity. Good ergonomic practices in the workplace doesn’t just mean moving a few things around to avoid hazards or buying an expensive office chair. What is ergonomics in the workplace?

In this article I will provide a complete guide on how to improve office ergonomics to make your workplace healthier and more productive. I will also provide some tips and highlight potential risk factors.

According to a report published by MedicalBrief, low back pain is a leading cause of disability‚ affecting an estimated 540 million people worldwide at any one time.

Evidence suggests that low back pain should be managed in primary care‚ with the first line of treatment being education and advice to keep people active and at work. The dangers of sitting: why sitting is the new smoking.

back support for office chair

Video Guide:
How to correctly adjust your office chair, desk and monitor

1. Improving ergonomics in the workplace – Adjusting your OFFICE CHAIR

Best ergonomic practices in the workplace: For office workers, a correctly adjusted work chair is essential

For office workers, an ergonomic chair is the most essential item in the workplace. The 5 consequences of sitting on the wrong chair.

Adjusting your chair to the correct position is critical to avoid common posture-related hazards, and is the first step to improving the overall ergonomic setup in your place of work. What is an Ergonomic Chair & what makes it special?

Your chair is the most important piece of equipment in your office. Adjusting your chair correctly is the first step to improving the ergonomics in your workplace.

1.1 Adjusting your chair

Seat height

  • Move the chair AWAY from your desk.
  • Sit on your chair making sure your back is against the backrest of the chair.
  • Make sure that you don’t feel too much pressure on the underside of your thighs or the back of your knees.
  • Ensure that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are slightly below the level of your hips. Slight seat height adjustments may be necessary.
  • What is the correct height for my chair, desk and monitor?
seat gap between knees and front of office chair

Seat depth

If your chair has a seat depth adjustment feature, slide the seat pan forward or backward until there is a 2-3 finger gap between the back of your knees and the front edge of the seat. Your back should be resting comfortably against the chair backrest.

Backrest height and lumbar support

  • If your chair has a height adjustable backrest, move it up or down so that the lumbar area fits snugly into your lower back.
  • Adjust the lumbar support (if available), so that it fits comfortably into your lower back.
  • Back support for office chairs – User Guide

Backrest angle & Tension

  • The backrest can usually be locked in an upright position or at various angles. We recommend that you keep the backrest in a free-float position to promote dynamic sitting. By doing so, the muscles in your lower back and core are stimulated, thereby improving blood flow and reducing muscle fatigue.
  • If available, adjust the tension of the backrest movement to suit your body weight. Some chairs have a self-tensioning feature built into the mechanism which will automatically tension the backrest according to your body weight.

Armrests

  • Adjust the height of the chair armrests. Your elbows should be bent at about 900 with your forearms parallel to the floor.
  • Change the width of the armrests (if available), so that your arms are close to your body. Refer – What is the difference between office chair armrests.
  • Move as close to the desk as possible.

Headrest

If you have one, move the headrest to your preferred position.

2. Improving ergonomics in the workplace – Adjusting your DESK

Your desk is the second most important piece of equipment in your office and plays a major role in the overall ergonomic setup. With so much emphasis on the correct office chair setup, people often neglect the proper ergonomic setup of their desk and other equipment in their place of work. The incorrect configuration of your desk, computer and ancillary equipment, can contribute to stress at work, poor posture and other long-term health issues.

Once you have setup your chair, move it towards your desk. If you are working on a computer, your desk should be at about elbow height.

The desk is at the correct height when your elbows are bent at approximately 900 and your forearms are resting on the surface of the desk. Your forearms will now be parallel to the floor.

If your hands are on the surface of the desk and forearms are NOT parallel to the floor, then your elbows cannot be at 900. If your elbows are bent at less than 900, then the desk is too high. Conversely, if your elbows are bent at more than 900, your desk is too low.

Best ergonomic practices in the workplace:
Left: Desk too high and angle of the elbows is less than 900. Forearms are not parallel to the floor.
Right: Desk too low and angle of the elbows is greater than 900. Again, forearms are not parallel to the floor. The hunched back typically results in pain in the back and shoulders.

IMPORTANT!

  • If the desk is too high, raise the height of your chair until your elbows are at 900 and your forearms are resting on the surface of the desk, and are parallel to the floor. This will result in your feet no longer being flat on the floor, so use a footrest, books, etc, to support your feet.
  • If the desk is too low, raise the height of the desk. Place blocks or spacers under the desk legs until your elbows are at 900 and your forearms are resting on the surface of the desk, and are parallel to the floor. 
    DO NOT lower the height of your chair. If you do, the chair will no longer be adjusted correctly!
How to improve ergonomics in the workplace – use the correct chair and desk setup.

2.1 Height adjustable desks can improve ergonomics in the workplace

In conjunction with your chair, for the best ergonomic practices in the workplace, use a height adjustable desk. Whether gas, manually or electrically actuated, these desks allow you to adjust the height of your work surface to an ergonomically correct position. Most importantly, they also enable you to alternate between sitting and standing while you work.

Remaining in one position for long periods, be it sitting or standing, will have a negative effect on your overall health.  

Should you alternate between sitting and standing at work?

2.1.1 Useful tips when using a height adjustable desk

  • Use anti-fatigue mats to reduce strain in your legs.
  • Wear supportive footwear.
  • Shift positions frequently. Rest one foot on a footrest and regularly alternate with the other foot.

2.1.2 Advantages of alternating between sitting and standing while you work

  • Stimulates circulation.
  • It keeps your intervertebral discs in a better shape.
  • Reduces possibility of varicose veins.
  • Improves concentration.

2.1.3 Negative effects of sitting too long

  • Muscle fatigue which results in bad posture.
  • Poor blood circulation and concentration.
  • Muscle tension and pain in the neck, back and shoulders.

2.1.4 Negative effects of standing too long

  • Fatigue in your legs.
  • Inflammation of veins and possible varicose veins
Buy height adjustable desks

2.2. The working area on your desk

The way you arrange your keyboard, monitor, mouse and other ancillary equipment on your desk, can have a huge impact on your posture and wellbeing. Even with the correct desk and chair setup, you may still experience discomfort in the neck and shoulders. This is often as a result of excessive leaning, twisting or over-reaching for items on your desk. What are the health benefits of a document holder?

Best ergonomic practices in the workplace: Avoid ergonomic hazards in the workplace like neck and shoulder pain by creating Inner and Outer zone working areas on your desk.

2.2.1 Working Zones can improve ergonomics in the workplace

Your frequently used equipment and documents should be placed within your Inner Zone (regular and occasional work area).  Your regular work area is the most important area as it is the closest to your body and within easy reach. This is where the keyboard and mouse should be placed. 

If you constantly use your phone, place it in the Regular work area or use a headset. Avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder. Items that are not used regularly should be placed in the occasional work area. These items should still be within reach when your arm is extended but without having to lean over.

To prevent over reaching and stretching, avoid placing items that you use often in the Outer Zone (non-working area).

3. Improving ergonomics in the workplace – using your KEYBOARD, MOUSE and MONITOR

Best ergonomic practices in the workplace: Position your keyboard, hands and wrists as shown to prevent repetitive strain injuries (RSI).

3.1 Keyboard

The keyboard should be flat on the desk, although some people prefer a slightly angled keyboard.  Try different angles to find the most comfortable position for you. Ensure that your wrists remain in a neutral position to reduce fatigue and potential injury. Move the keyboard close to the front of the desk.

Do not place documents between the keyboard and the front edge of the desk as this increases the reach distance to the keyboard.

3.2 Mouse

Place your mouse as close as possible to the keyboard to minimize forward or side reach. Remember to maintain a 900 elbow angle. Maintain a straight wrist position when you are using the mouse. 

The fine movement of the hand, fingers and thumb repeated for hours on end can cause repetitive strain injury (RSI). A mouse that fits your hand poorly can cause thumb tendinitis.

Best ergonomic practices in the workplace: Use the mouse in a neutral position to prevent repetitive strain injuries (RSI).

3.3. Monitor

3.3.1 Single monitor setup

  • Sit upright and centre the monitor so that it is directly in front of you.
  • Adjust the monitor height until the top of the monitor is at or just slightly below the level of your eyes. If you don’t have a monitor arm to adjust the height of the monitor, use books to raise it’s height.
  • Your eyes should look slightly downward when viewing the middle of the screen.
  • Position the monitor approximately one arm’s length away from you (50-60cm). Sitting too close or too far from the monitor can cause eye strain.
  • Based on your eyesight, adjust the monitor by slowly moving it towards you or further away until you can view the text comfortably. Larger screens require a greater viewing distance.
  • Tilt your monitor slightly upward to enable easy viewing and reduce glare. Tilting the monitor too far back may cause glare from overhead lighting.
  • Have regular eye breaks. Look 20 meters away for 20 seconds every 20 minute. This will allow the muscles in your eyes to relax.

3.3.2 Dual monitor setup

Your primary monitor (the one you use most frequently), should be centered directly in front of you, and the secondary monitor should be placed slightly off centre and at the same height and distance as the primary monitor. If both monitors are used equally, place them side by side at the same height with the inner edges touching.

Dual monitor setup

4. Using a Laptop

Improving ergonomics in the workplace would not be complete without a discussion on laptops. Laptops were originally designed for short-term and mobile use, but are now commonly used as a primary computer. 

Best ergonomic practices in the workplace: If you use a laptop for long periods, add a laptop stand and external keyboard and mouse.

If you use a laptop continuously, you can reduce the stress in your neck and shoulders by:

  • Using a laptop stand or books to elevate the screen to eye level.
  • Alternatively use an external monitor with a separate keyboard and mouse.
  • Due to the size of laptop screens, you may have to adjust the font size.

5. Conclusion

Recognising the importance of ergonomics in the workplace is the first step in creating a beneficial environment for the health and wellbeing of every employee.

Best ergonomic practices always begin with your chair followed by your desk. Your chair is the single most important piece of equipment in your office. Adjust it correctly!

For greater overall comfort, adjust the ambient temperature to about 250C. Lastly, to enhance the mood in your office, add some of your own stuff like photos, plants and music, as it creates a sense of identity!

Contact us for more information.

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