HG

Office Ergonomics and Sedentary Work Overview

5.1 Office Ergonomics and Seated Work

  • Definition of Workstations

  • Types: Office workstations and control room workstations.

  • Importance: Ergonomics in office design is crucial for health, safety, and wellbeing.

  • Key Considerations in Office Workstation Design:

  • Ergonomics minimizes health risks and improves efficiency.

  • Match human capacity (physical & psychological) to workstation design.

  • Includes considerations of anthropometry to reduce risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

  • Postural Influences:

  • Posture affected by task requirements, workspace design, and personal factors.

  • Assessments should include tape measures, musculoskeletal surveys, and photographs to document worker postures.

  • Workstation Heights:

  • Ideal desk height for keyboard work: 640-690mm, average 670mm.

  • Common desks height: 700-730mm, often too high for many users.

  • Ensure equal knee/elbow angles and neutral neck position.

  • Common Measurement Considerations:

  • Desk height and depth, leg space, seat pan dimensions.

  • Positioning for relaxed shoulders and neutral eye height.

  • Work Surface Layout:

  • Arrange tools based on usage frequency and importance.

  • High-frequency items should be easily accessible to minimize neck and body strain.

  • Lighting:

  • Adequate illumination, reduction of reflections, and glare management are critical.

  • Understand WHS legislative requirements regarding lighting in workplaces.

5.2 Sedentary Work

  • Definition and Impact of Sedentary Work:

  • Sitting for over 30 minutes continuously can impact health negatively.

  • Increased prevalence of sedentary roles due to technological advances.

  • Risks of Prolonged Sitting:

  • Leads to poor blood flow, muscle stiffness, and potential chronic diseases (cardiovascular issues, diabetes, etc.).

  • Static postures can exacerbate musculoskeletal disorders.

  • Design Recommendations for Workstations:

  • Design should encourage movement and vary posture throughout the day.

  • Sit-stand workstations are a solution to mitigate sedentary risks, allowing alternation of sitting and standing positions.

  • Guidelines for Effective Use of Sit-Stand Workstations:

  • Aim for a sustainable mix of sitting and standing; recommended not to exceed 4 hours of continuous standing.

  • Educate employees on proper ergonomic practices for workstation height.

  • Avoid using mats with sit-stand desks due to potential hazards.

  • Overall Workplace Strategy:

  • Monitor posture and frequent adjustments to promote health and wellbeing.

  • Encourage training in correct workstation settings to prevent discomfort and injury.