Ergonomics + Work From Home
Don’t forget some important aspects of your home office.
Remote Workstation Ergonomics
The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly forced many people to work at a location other than their normal workplace. If you are working from home for the first time, getting the correct home workstation setup can be challenging. Your workstation might be a home office, a kitchen table, or wherever you can find the necessary space. Unfortunately, it is easy to overlook ergonomics in the home environment. However, by understanding basic home ergonomics and taking small steps, you can positively impact your health and well-being.
The Impact of Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of fitting a workspace to an individual’s needs and aims to increase efficiency while reducing discomfort and the likelihood of injury. When working at a desk or workstation, poor ergonomics can not only lead to reduced productivity—but can also lead to a number of health issues that may have long-lasting effects, including head or neck strain, damage to muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. If you’re sitting at your workstation for eight hours a day, it’s important for these hours to be as healthy as possible. While completing a motion that’s not ergonomic may feel safe or even natural for the short term, prolonged use of an unhealthy body movement can lead to long-term injuries and strains, leading to why it’s vital to prioritize home workstation ergonomics.
Remote Workstation Tips
There are some general ergonomics best practices. Consider these tips for components of your remote workstation setup:
Chair—Using a sturdy chair that supports the curvature of the spine is ideal for working. Chairs should also allow for adjustments so that your feet can rest flat on the floor and your thighs are parallel to it. While typing, your arms should be parallel to the floor as well.
Desk—Find a work surface, such as a desk or table that has space underneath for your legs and feet without your knees banging on the bottom. If a work surface is too low, adjust the chair or work surface accordingly. Cushion your wrists from the surface edge with padding or a wrist rest.
Footrest—Your feet should be flat on the floor. If your chair is too high for you to rest your feet flat on the floor, consider using a footrest. If not available, you can use a household object.
Monitor—Arrange your laptop or monitor directly in front of you and approximately an arm’s length away. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. Try to set up the monitor to avoid glare, as it can strain your eyes. If you wear bifocals, you can lower the monitor an additional 1-2 inches for more comfortable viewing. If necessary, tilting your screen can also help.
File storage—Organize files and materials so that you don’t have to frequently bend and strain to reach them.
Keyboard and mouse—When using a keyboard and mouse, keep them on the same surface. Ideally, a flat keyboard is better than one tilted up. Position your arms so that your wrists can be straight, with your arms at elbow level. If using a laptop, the same principles apply.
Phone—If you use your phone often, consider using a headset or a speakerphone to reduce the need to frequently hold up the phone or press it up against your neck.
Cords—Be aware of other risk factors that may be present, such as overloading electrical outlets or creating tripping hazards with power strips or extension cords running across the floor.
Working from home comes with its own set of challenges. As you find yourself working from home for a prolonged time, taking small steps can go a long way toward working more productively, preventing ergonomic injuries and improving your physical well-being. Keep ergonomics in mind and make your workstation work for you.
Team WIS&G is here for you!
Questions? Contact us today at (800) 790-4875 or info@wisg.com.
