An Entrepreneur’s Trilogy

Basic Workstation Ergonomics 101

While making my daily rounds around the Blogosphere, I took a brief stop to glance at a friend’s blog. Rob had just updated his personal weblog with a post that left me contemplating. He was having hand pains, but feels better now due to an implementation of daily exercise and stretching routine. This pain was preventing him from using a computer. He couldn’t roam around the internet because the pain in his hand was too severe. For a guy who uses a computer daily for his job and lifestyle, this can turn into a huge problem. Ironically, the over usage of a computer is what lead to the pain in the first place. I’ve done some research on the subject and have composed four basic tips on proper workstation ergonomics. The truth is that computers are bad for your health. If you don’t use measures to prevent the strains that a computer can cause, you too might find yourself with back, neck, hand, or even vision issues.

Computer Workstation Ergonomics:

1. The top of the computer monitor should be directly centered in front of you. It should be about an arm’s length in front and directly at eye level.

2. Your elbows should be roughly at a 90 degree angle, just below the desk surface. Your desk should be right at belly button level. The armrest of the chair should be almost the same level as your desk to support your elbows.

3. Sit fully back in your chair. You want to avoid pressure to your knees. Make sure your feet are sitting flat on the floor, and your back/ shoulders are straight and supported by the back of the chair.

4. Your keyboard should be centered directly in front of you. When typing, make sure your wrists are in line with your forearms and not bent in any direction.

Rob applied a constant routine of exercise to aid his situation. Stretching and exercising is fundamental for your health even if you aren’t on the computer all day. I use a computer at least eight hours during a regular “work day”. The over usage of a computer is something that I’ve pondered over before, but never really put any real emphasis on until now.

U.S. Department of Labor website provides a checklist for the proper ergonomics of an existing workstation, and a guide for setting up a proper workstation. Be sure to check these out as they provide more details on proper workstation ergonomics.

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