Top ten tips for creating an ergonomic workstation using office furniture | ABL


Have you suffered from back pain? Do you know that back pain is the leading cause of long-term sickness in the UK? In 2013 alone, more than 15 million work days were lost because of back-related ailments. And poor desk posture is one of the factors that get your back in pain! Our mission at ABL is to make the office space more usable and ergonomic – reducing the worlds back pain and improving it’s posture! Here are some guidelines for you to prevent from body aches and embrace a healthy working environment using office furniture.

Top Ten Tips for Creating an Ergonomic Workstation Using Office Furniture

We give you the best possible office furniture products to help you and your colleagues create a healthy workstation. Read on to find out how you can make your workstation better.

1st tip: Seating is Key

Choose a right chair. The best chair has an adjustable seat height. Adjust it so that your legs form a 90-degree angle at the knees, and your thighs are parallel to the floor. It should have good lumbar support and a back tilt adjustment so that you can sit at a slight recline and also shift your upper body position. Consider a chair with seat slide controls and simple and intuitive on/off controls to operate the seat and back movement.

2nd tip: Back Up Your Back

Pick a back cushion for your chair. This helps support your spine and take the pressure off certain muscles. A good cushion can help to stimulate circulation, and make it easier for you to maintain good posture.

3rd tip: Monitor Works Magic

Re-arrange your monitor. Position the monitor at least an arm’s length away with the top line of text at or slightly below eye level. Tilt the monitor away from you so your line of sight is perpendicular to the monitor. Installing a monitor arm lets everyone with different height or arm’s length adjust to their most comfortable position.
For example, our AERO Free Flow Gas Arm can bring you ergonomic benefits since its tension adjustment allows movement resistance. This makes your monitor not easily affected by careless moves when you have already found the suitable distance for yourself.

4th tip: Be Aware when Typing

Use an articulating keyboard support. Position it between 1 and 1.5 inches above your thighs. Angle your keyboard away from your body to keep your wrists straight while typing. Try and position your mouse close to the keyboard to avoid reaching. Instead of using your wrist to navigate your mouse, glide the heel of your palm over the mouse surface and use your entire arm.

5th tip: Give Your Paper a Lift

Use a document holder to put all your papers. If you lay papers and books flat on the desk, you have to twist or tilt your head to see them, which can cause neck and shoulder strain. Instead, use a document holder. Look for one you can place close to the monitor at the same distance and height.

6th tip: Hide the Wires

Keep your workplace clean and organized. Not only papers but wires can also get people crazy sometimes as they ‘crawl’ from your computer to desk and they are everywhere! To manage the cables, you may consider our cable spine to hide the cables from your desk. It has large weighted base so that your wires will not ‘lose control’ easily. We also offer a wire basket in different sizes to suit your individual needs.

7th tip: Illuminate your Workday

Check the direction of the light source to avoid glare or reflections on the screen. Place the screen at right angles to the window when possible. If the light source is not helping you out, get a task light and position it to the side opposite your writing hand.

8th tip: Give Your Foot a Break

Get a footrest. It is just plain more comfortable than resting your feet on the floor. In addition to the circulation benefits, a footrest is designed specifically for your feet’s comfort, much more so than carpet or hardwood floor.

9th tip: Get Your CPU Protected

Invest in a below-the-desk CPU holder. Placing the CPU below the desk not only allows for better positioning of the monitor, but also creates additional desk space. It also protects the CPU from damage and increase leg room under the desk. In addition to the above benefits, our mobile CPU holder comes with an adjustable base that makes your access to drives even easier.

10th tip: Alert! Laptop-savvy

For those who are laptop-savvy, you should not use your laptop on your lap! Tilting your head to see the screen can cause neck strain. The keyboard should be at elbow height, and your hands and wrists in a straight line. If touchpad makes your thumb sore, attach an external mouse.

These are but a few of the most important tips to creating a healthy, comfortable workspace. They may seem simple or inconsequential, but they’ll make a world of difference. Good luck on your journey to create a healthy workstation!