Page number 4

How to use your workstation Purchasing adjustable workstations is a good idea, if you want to improve ergonomics. However, it literally cannot stand alone. A thorough risk assessment of the workplace needs to precede the purchase to help you clarify precisely what type of solution your employees need. The second part is teaching the employees how to use the adjustable workstation correctly. There are a few guidelines to start with. Nitty-gritty precision work is usually done close to the body and relatively close to the employee’s eyes. This means the tabletop needs to be quite elevated. Assembly work is often a more speedy process requiring a bit more space to move the arms, while heavier workloads require a lower table to minimise the weight to lift, push or pull by the worker. Basic principles for standing work • The human is built for movement, so change working positions frequently. Changing body positions improves blood supply to the muscles and helps reduce overall fatigue. It also distributes the load more equally on different parts of the body, reducing strain on individual muscles and joints used to maintain the upright position. • Pace work appropriately • Ensure suitable rest periods 4 95 - 120 cm 85 - 110 cm 95 - 120 cm 65 - 95 cm 85 - 110 cm 95 - 120 cm Precision work e.g. electronic assembly about 5 cm above elbow height Light work e.g. assembly line about 5-10 cm below elbow height Heavy work high downward forces about 20-40 cm below elbow height

Page number 5

The risk assessment will also help disclose what tasks are the most frequently performed by each employee. To minimise the strain on arms, shoulders, neck and back these repetitive tasks and associated movements should be limited to the area right in front of the employee. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety created a few rules of thumb to explain how to arrange work at the workstation. Needless to say, adjustable workstations will help you align with these rules and surely make your employees happier. Very rare reaches Occational work Usual work 15 cm 45° head rotation 50 cm 25 cm Rules of thumb: • Always face the object of work • Keep the body close to the work • Organise the work so frequent operations are done within close reach • Avoid reach above or behind the shoulder line • Avoid extreme bending, stretching and twisting • Elbow support for precision work helps reduce tension in the upper arm and neck 5

    ...