Treat Your Body Kindly With Ergonomic Office Furniture
Your legs are cramped, your neck hurts and your arms are tingling. Why? The answer lies in your office furniture. No doubt you are spending long hours in front of your computer screen, furiously typing, never taking a break. All of this, coupled with your badly designed furniture, is heading you straight for a work-related injury. Your body will definitely appreciate ergonomically-designed office furniture.
Ergonomics Defined
The American Heritage Dictionary says that ergonomics consists of the designing furniture that reduces fatigue, the chance of injury and pain. It is a way of arranging the office furniture that makes it easy for us to do our jobs.
The Office Chair
This is the piece of office furniture that you do not want to scrimp on. The office chair should be comfortable and fit your proportions. The chair’s seat must allow your knees to naturally bend, so it cannot be too long. Back support should be good, including good lumbar support. Adjustable seat height is important, as well. Any arm rests should be adjustable, if possible. The base of the chair, if it is on wheels, should be a 5-star pedestal.
The Desk And Computer Set Up
The desk should have two different heights: the main desk and a sliding shelf that is used for holding the keyboard and typing. Your computer monitor should be placed on the desk directly in front of you at eye level. This will reduce eye strain. A U-shaped desk set up keeps everything you use on a regular basis right at your fingertips, without overreaching and straining your neck and back.
The mouse should go on the side that is most comfortable. Keep the mouse close to the edge of the desk to avoid overreaching. Use the mouse with a relaxed, level hand.
Your keyboard should be sloped, with the top row of keys higher than the bottom row of keys. Use the legs on the back of the keyboard to raise it. Make sure that your keyboard is at the correct height. Sit in your chair with your upper arms close to your body and lower arms extended into a right angle, parallel to the floor. Your keyboard should be at the level of your hands.
Ergonomic Exercises
It may be worth your while to find a computer application that reminds you to take breaks every so often. You need a break about every 30-60 minutes to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive strain injuries. Roll you neck, stretch your arms and legs, move your hands, stretch your fingers. Look up, down and around with your eyes.
Prevent Injury
To prevent injuries and boost worker productivity, it is very important to provide yourself and anyone who works for you with the proper ergonomic office furniture. Spending money now will save you money later when you inevitably develop an injury.
When you are furnishing your office, a desk is an important piece of furniture. Take advantage of the many styles and designs to make your job of hunting for a desk Brisbane area simple.
