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.