What are Some Basic Suggestions for Proper Office Workstation Ergonomics? Good ergonomic practices can boost your productivity and comfort, so this is an important question.

Let's start at the top. The monitor should be at a comfortable viewing distance -- usually about 20" to 30" from the eyes -- so that you aren't tempted to lean forward or backward. In general, your monitor should be positioned so the top edge of the monitor is about 2" above your eye level. This will put your horizontal line of sight at the top of the viewing area. The screen will then be at or below eye level. If you wear bifocals you will want to re-position the monitor slightly so that you can read the screen without tilting your head. An adjustable monitor arm can help you to achieve all of the above even if you use multiple monitors.

Your body posture should be upright, relaxed, and not slumped or twisted. The trunk of your body should be perpendicular to the floor or slightly leaning into your backrest if that is more comfortable for you. You should not hunch forward. Your upper arms should be relaxed and not extended out from the body. Adjustable armrests on your chair are desirable. Your hands, wrists, and forearms should be approximately straight and in-line and should not be in contact with any rigid edges. Your forearms should be at about a 90° angle with your upper arms and your wrists should be flat and not bent. The mouse should be placed next to your keyboard and at the same height. A good ergonomic chair with lumbar support and many adjustments to adapt the chair to your body and workstation is a wise investment. An articulating keyboard platform will let you adjust your keyboard to the position and angle needed to achieve proper arm, wrist, and hand position for comfortable typing. Finally, your feet should rest comfortably on the floor. If you are short, and your feet do not rest on the floor, a footrest will provide support so that your legs do not hang and cut off circulation on the underside of your thighs.



We hope this ergonomic information is of help to you. Please do not hesitate to call Modern Office at 1-800-443-5117 with any questions you may have. Modern Office is known for offering a large selection of office furniture from over 100 manufacturers at discount prices -- not just the limited colors or sizes you may see elsewhere. Modern Office - 7550 Corporate Way - Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Toll-Free 1-800-443-5117 (In Minnesota 952-941-2837) Fax 952-949-9816

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