Ergonomic workstation: do you know these accessories?
If you’re looking to create an ergonomic workstation, then you need to consider more than just your office chair. Accessories like keyboard and monitor stands, lighting and power supplies, or even active furniture, play a big role in productivity and a healthier work environment.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most important ergonomic accessories solutions to keep in mind when setting up your workstation. We’ll also discuss how they can help save time and improve productivity!
What is an ergonomic workstation?
An ergonomic workstation is a work area that has been adjusted to fit the individual’s needs. This includes adjusting the height of the chair, desk, and computer monitor, as well as using ergonomic accessories like keyboard and monitor stands.
Why is it important to have an ergonomic workstation?
It can help to reduce discomfort, increase productivity, and efficiency. A key consideration in ergonomics is individual variation. What fits one person perfectly will be entirely wrong for someone else.
If you do not feel comfortable in your workspace, or you suffer pain from a long-term injury, it would be best if you sought out ergonomic changes for your workspace.
How to set up an ergonomic workstation?
An ergonomic Workstation is not just about adjustable desks and chairs. Let’s take a look at the accessories that make your work more comfortable and efficient.
Ergonomic Keyboard Stands
An ergonomic keyboard stand, also known as a keyboard tray, is a device that attaches to a desk and holds a keyboard in a more neutral position than when it is placed directly on the desk. This allows for a more natural typing posture, which can help prevent repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) like carpal tunnel syndrome.
There are a few different types of ergonomic keyboard stands, but they all share the same goal of promoting a healthy typing posture. Some common features include adjustable height and tilt.
The ideal height for your office depends on where you’re going to put the computer. Without a keyboard tray, most desktops are too tall for strain-free typing, forcing you to use muscles that should be stretched. Under-desk keyboard trays will generally help with this problem.
Tilting your keyboard is necessary to acquire a proper feel when typing. For your wrists to be properly aligned, your keyboard should be able to achieve a negative tilt of 15° or more when seated, and 30° or more when standing.
Ergonomic Screen Stands
A computer screen that’s too high or low, or too close or far away from you, will put strain on your neck and shoulders. Ergonomic monitor arms enable personalization of the workstation for comfort, health, and productivity.
This is what you should expect from the best ergonomic monitor stands:
- Height and positioning adjustability. Ergonomic screen stands must offer positioning control and height adjustment. You may need the ability to raise or lower your monitor and adapt the depth placement of the monitor.
- Angle adjustability Ergonomic monitor stand designs have pivot mechanisms that let you change both the angle and tilt of your screen for optimal positioning.
- Rotation adjustment. Ergonomic screen stands should allow you to view your monitor in either landscape or portrait layout.
Finally, keep in mind that for an optimal ergonomic workspace setup you should:
- position your monitor in front of you, about an arm’s length away.
- The top of the screen should be at or somewhat above eye level.
- Lower the monitor 1 to 2 inches if you wear bifocals for more comfortable viewing.
- Place your monitor so that the strongest light source is on the side.
Ergonomic Power Supplies
A workspace uses multiple types of technological supports with different power needs: tablets, phones and mobiles, lighting, desktops and laptops, speakers, smartwatches, among others. All this in an integrated, connected and intelligent space.
Traditional wall power supplies are now complemented by smart USB integrations (in desks and other office furniture) and wireless charging, in placements that ensure energy optimization, safety and efficiency of ergonomic workstations.
Ergonomic Lighting
Workplace light is important. Poorly lit workplaces are more prone to eye-strain, tiredness, headaches, stress, and accidents. However, excessive illumination may have a detrimental influence on your health and safety by causing glare headaches and stress. Low productivity, high mistake rates, poor work quality, and a significant drop in mental alertness can all result from these two situations.
Lighting ergonomics is concerned with the connection between you and the light source. As a result, it focuses on optimizing working and interaction conditions by creating and arranging light sources.
In workplaces where daylight is limited, it is essential to have an electric lighting system. Here is some advice to improve lighting ergonomics:
- Make the most of the light or natural illumination. If at all feasible, position your workstation near windows. To prevent glare, you may consider using blinds to block out more natural light while still diffusing it.
- Use specifically targeted electrical lighting. After you’ve determined the location of your work, direct the light fixture in a way that is most appropriate for your tasks so that you can avoid adopting harmful working postures. If necessary, add or remove local lighting to obtain the optimum level of lighting.
- Paint walls and ceilings in a light color: it creates more reflection than dark colors.
Active furniture
Spending hours sitting at our workstation can lead to a sedentary lifestyle and, with it, health problems. Ergonomic treadmill desks, deskbikes, ball chairs, among others, help you to stay healthy and active while productive.
These are the main points to keep in mind while looking for active office furniture:
- desk height
- desk stability
- customization options
- noise signature
- suitability of use in work environments
In conclusion, a well-designed ergonomic workstation can help to prevent many health problems associated with sedentary lifestyles. In addition, there are a variety of ergonomic keyboard stands, monitor stands and active furniture options available to further customize your workspace and improve your comfort levels. By following the advice in this article, you can create an ergonomic workstation that is perfect for you.
