National Ergonomics Month – Work From Home Considerations
October is National Ergonomics Month. Ergonomics refers to the science of designing systems, products and work environments to help people enjoy optimal conditions. Ideal ergonomics may improve productivity and limit health issues, including musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive stress injuries.
However, given the recent rise in the popularity of remote work arrangements, employers may not be as capable of monitoring and shaping ergonomics according to their staff’s needs. If you work from home, consider the following tips to ensure good ergonomics for your office or work area:
- Choose a suitable chair. Even if you’re working at your kitchen table, you’ll likely want to sub out one of those chairs for a desk chair that offers good back support and that can be adjusted.
- Think about where you sit. Avoid sitting too high or too low. You should generally sit at a height that allows your feet to rest flat on the floor. If necessary, a footrest can help create more flexibility in this regard.
- Consider desk height. In addition to sitting at the right level, you’ll also want to make sure you’re not having to reach too far up or down to type or conduct other tasks. Try to arrange your workstation so that your arms are parallel to the floor while reaching.
- Position screens appropriately. If you’re working at a laptop or monitor, position it so that the screen is approximately arm’s length away. Additionally, you should try to have the top of your screen at approximately eye level to avoid neck strain.
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Article Published By: Zywave, Inc.
