1. Workstation Design
Lab # 3

2. Outline Modern Work Environment. Workstation Design Guidelines.
Introduction.
Ergonomic Design.
Modern Work Environment.
Workstation Design Guidelines.
Ergonomic Computer Workstation.
General Tips.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

3. Workstation Design introduction April 1, 2017
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

4. Introduction
Ergonomics is a scientific discipline, which is concerned with improving the productivity, health, safety and comfort of people, as well as promoting effective interaction among people, technology and the environment.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

5. Introduction (Cont.)
Designing for ergonomics requires understanding and consideration of the following:
The physical and psychological attributes of the person or population of people that will perform the job.
The design and arrangement of the workstation furniture, computer hardware, and other workstation accessories.
The tasks required to perform the job.
The work environment, including such things as noise and temperature, also management and organizational methods and constraints.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

6. Workstation Design Ergonomic Design April 1, 2017
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

7. Ergonomic Design
Because people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, and much of it in their workplaces, the physical environment in offices should be carefully designed and managed.
The physical conditions that operators experience are important determinants of satisfaction, comfort, well-being, and effectiveness.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

8. Ergonomic Design (Cont.)
Ergonomic furniture should be designed to facilitate task performance, minimize fatigue and injury by fitting equipment to the body size, strength and range of motion of the user. Office furnishings, which are generally available, have adjustable components that enable the user to modify the workstation to accommodate different physical dimensions and the requirements of the job. Ergonomically designed furniture can reduce pain and injury, increase productivity, improve morale, and decrease complaints.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

9. Ergonomic Design (Cont.)
Ergonomics is used in the design of furniture to eliminate:
Static or uncomfortable posture.
Repetitive motion.
Poor access or inadequate clearance and excessive reach.
Display that are difficult to read and understand.
Controls that are confusing to operate or require too much force.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

10. Ergonomic Design(Cont.)
Design objectives should support humans to achieve the operational objectives for which they are responsible. There are three goals to consider in human-centered design.
Enhance human abilities.
Overcome human limitations.
Encourage user acceptance.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

11. Ergonomic Design(Cont.)
To achieve the previous objectives, there are several key elements of ergonomics in the office to consider.
Equipment: video display terminals
Software design: system design and screen design for greater usability
Workstation design: chairs, work surfaces and accessories
Environment: space planning, use of colors, lighting, acoustics, air quality and thermal factors
Training: preparing workers to deal with technology
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

12. Modern Work Environment
Workstation Design
Modern Work Environment
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

13. Modern Work Environment
Changes in modern business practices have considerably changed the way we work in the office.
The delivery of low-cost, high-quality, customized products and services to customers who are increasingly demanding is critical to organizational success.
These changes in business practices are being reflected in modern office designs.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

14. Modern Work Environment (Cont.)
In the Past
At Present
Large areas filled with rows of clerks and typists conducting routine, repetitive tasks.
Most routine tasks, such as text typing and data entry, are now integrated into more complex, project-based work.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

15. Office Design Private Office Open-Plan Office April 1, 2017
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

16. Office Design (Cont.)
You must take into your account how office design parameters (e.g. workstation size, ceiling type) affect physical office conditions (e.g. lighting, acoustics, indoor air quality), and occupant satisfaction.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

17. Office Design: Noise
Absorption properties of the ceiling, the workstation size, and the partition height have the largest effect on acoustic conditions since they are compensating for walls that would normally block sound travel between neighbors; however, no one element can control noise, and the most significant improvements in office acoustics occur when most of the office elements are well designed.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

18. Do! DO NOT! Practical tips: Noise
Provide acoustic satisfaction with comfortable background noise and good speech privacy.
Block sound with absorbent surfaces (especially the ceiling) and high, wide partitions.
Provide a sound masking system.
Expose occupants to unacceptable noise sources, especially speech sources.
Create small workstations with low partitions.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

19. Office Design: Ventilation
In any office, indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal conditions are determined by the building’s ventilation system and by the contents of the office.
Poor conditions can result if contaminants, air delivery, and temperature are not properly managed.
Poor IAQ and thermal comfort are among the most common problems in offices. Poor conditions can be uncomfortable and make it harder to concentrate and work efficiently. They can also lead to symptoms such as headaches, sleepiness, or eye, nose and throat pain.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

20. Practical tips: Ventilation
DO!
DO NOT!
Provide an adequate supply of outdoor air.
Provide some individual control over temperature, air velocity, and/or air direction.
Clean and maintain the ventilation system and the office space.
Create a comfortable thermal environment.
Insulate windows and provide perimeter heating/cooling.
Exceed air supply capacity of ventilation system.
Choose furnishings and equipment that emit high levels of contaminants.
Place workers close to contaminant sources.
Block air diffusers.
Use very high partitions.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

21. Office Design: Lighting and Day-lighting
Light reflected off surfaces and objects reveals the world to us.
Good interior lighting reveals what we need to see, making details visible but also facilitating communication, setting the mood, and addressing health and safety. It does so in balance with the architectural characteristics of the space and practical considerations such as costs, energy consumption, installation, and maintenance.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

22. Practical tips: Lighting
DO!
DO NOT!
Provide adequate task illumination.
Provide access to daylight.
Provide uniformity on task surfaces.
Create visual interest and a pleasant atmosphere.
Use fluorescent lamps with good color rendering.
Provide some individual lighting controls.
Allow walls and ceilings to be dark and cave-like.
Permit glare problems.
Create a colorless, blandly uniform office.
Use glossy surfaces.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

23. Office Design: Layout
Offices exist primarily to allow employees to do their work, and, thereby, support their organization’s goals. Though work performance is the key function, a workstation should also provide a supportive environment for mental and physical well-being. Employees may spend upwards of 30% of their working hours per year in their offices, which need to be comfortable and satisfactory.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

24. Practical tips: Layout
DO!
DO NOT!
Furnish cubicles based on worker job needs.
Provide visual and acoustic privacy with enclosure (higher number of partitions, and larger workstations).
Provide adjustable furnishings and environmental controls.
Provide lockable storage for personal items.
Locate work groups in the same area.
Provide access to a window and a view.
Match alternative office strategies to tasks and employee needs.
Crowd worker.
Make shared resources difficult to access or place routes through work groups.
Place workers in busy, noisy areas of the office.
Prevent personalization of the workstation.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

25. Office Characteristics
Partition height: Heights between 1.5 m and 1.8 m are recommended
Workstation size: Workstation of 6.3 m2 or greater are recommended.
Orientation: The orientation of workstation openings and of workers.
Office Layout: Isolate noise sources.
Office Etiquette: Encourages open-plan office workers to speak more quietly.
Partition height: Partitions need to be high enough to block sound paths between occupants; this can be achieved by blocking sight lines between occupants at their most common task locations and orientations. Partition height can also affect light distribution and perceptions of air flow: consider all aspects of the indoor environment when choosing partition height.
Workstation size: Sound diminishes over distance; therefore, larger workstations reduce the amount of noise that reaches neighbours. COPE research recommends workstation sizes of 6.3 m2 (67 ft2) or greater.
Orientation: The orientation of workstation openings and of occupants can reduce the level of noise that travels around the office. Groups of workstations should be carefully arranged to avoid noise reflection out of one workstation into others. Occupants working in adjacent workstations should be seated so that they are facing away from each other. Speech is then directed away from neighbours.
Office Layout: It is important to isolate noise sources. Designers should locate shared, noise-generating resources – such as meeting rooms, group discussion areas, lunch rooms, printers, photocopiers, main traffic corridors– away from workers who need quiet to concentrate on their tasks. Direct sound paths between workstations should also be avoided. One solution is to arrange shared resources along a main path, and locate individual workstations along quieter, less travelled paths.
Office Etiquette: A policy that encourages open-plan office workers to speak more quietly, use headphones for music and radio, avoid speaker phones, and be aware of the noise they generate will help to solve noise problems.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

26. Workstation Design Guidelines
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

27. Workstation Design Guidelines
There are 14 guidelines that must be taken into considerations by ergonomists when considering the design of a workstation.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

28. Guideline 1 Avoid Static Loads and Fixed Work Postures
Static load increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Metabolic wastes accumulate in the muscles.
Consider increasing recovery time.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

29. Avoid Static Postures
Employees should be encouraged to wear proper shoes for work requires lots of standing.
Workstations should be equipped with mats.
Have hips parallel to the floor.
Provide bar rail to vary work posture.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

30. Falls
Slips and falls are a major cause of injury deaths and have annual direct cost/capita of $50–400.
Causes of falls:
Slips: unexpected horizontal foot movement
Trips: restriction of foot movement
Stepping-on-air: unexpected vertical foot movement
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

31. Solutions for Falls Prevent the fall:
Use well-designed ladders, scaffolds, and ramps properly.
Provide safe steps.
Use the three-contact rule.
Provide good friction and reduce lubricants.
Reduce the consequences of the fall:
Interrupt the fall.
Soften the impact.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

32. Head Weight The head weighs about the same as a bowling ball.
Keep the line of sight below the horizontal.
Maintain forward head tilt of 10º-15º
Avoid backward and sideward tilts.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

33. Hands/Arms An arm weighs about 4.4 kg.
Avoid using the hand to hold up a tool or work piece.
Avoid working with elevated hands.
Support the arms on the work surface or chair arms.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

34. Guideline 2 Reduce Musculoskeletal Disorders Don’t bend your wrist.
Don’t lift your elbow.
Don’t reach behind your back.
Follow guidelines for hand and arm motions.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

35. Guideline 3 Set the Work Height at 50 mm Below the Elbow
Work height is defined in terms of elbow height.
Optimum height is slightly below the elbow.
Optimum height from the elbow is the same for sitting and standing.
Work height is not table height.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

36. Solutions for Work Height
Change machine height.
Adjust elbow height.
Adjust work height on machine.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

37. Video Display Terminal Workstations
Key items: screen, keyboard, document, eyes, hands
Workstation furniture must be adjustable.
Locate the primary visual element first: ahead of the eye, perpendicular to the line of sight.
Train the operator in adjusting the equipment.
Provide a wrist rest.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

38. Guideline 4 Furnish Every Employee with an Adjustable Chair
The cost of an adjustable chair is very low compared to labor cost.
Allow users to try chairs in their specific jobs.
Buy chairs that are easily adjustable.
Train people in proper adjustment.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

39. Chair Design Seats Backrests Armrests Legs/pedestals
Seat Height from Floor
Seat Length
Seat Width
Slope of Seat
Seat Shape
Backrests
Position of Backrest
Molded Chair Back Position & Curvature
Armrests
Legs/pedestals
Clearance of feet and calves under chair
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

40. Guideline 6 Use Gravity; Don’t Oppose It
Make movements horizontal or downward; avoid lifting.
Consider using the weight of the body to increase mechanical force.
Use gravity to move material to the work.
Use gravity as a fixture.
Use gravity in feeding and disposal.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

41. Guideline 7 Conserve Momentum
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and deceleration.
Use circular motion for moving and polishing.
Eliminate grasping motions by providing edges, rolled edges, and holes.
Avoid transporting weight in the hand.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

42. Guideline 8 Use 2-Hand Motions Rather Than 1-Hand Motions
Cranking with 2 arms is 25% more efficient than with one.
Using 2 hands is more productive despite taking more time and effort.
Don’t use the hand as a fixture.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

43. Guideline 9 Use Parallel Motions for Eye Control of 2-Hand Motions
Minimize the degree of spread rather than worry about symmetry.
Estimate the cost of eye control with predetermined time systems.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

44. Parallel vs. Symmetrical motions
BC DD
B C C C
A D B B
A D A A
Parallel motions
Shoulder moves
Easy eye travel
Symmetrical motions
Shoulder steady
Difficult eye control
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

45. Guideline 10 Use Rowing Motions for 2-Hand Motions
Alternation causes movement of the shoulder and twisting of the torso.
Alternation causes higher heart rates.
Rowing motions are more efficient and provide greater power.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

46. Guideline 11 Pivot Motions About the Elbow
Motion time is minimized with motion about the elbow.
Cross-body movements are more accurate than those about the elbow.
Physiological cost is lower for movements about the elbow.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

47. Guideline 12 Use the Preferred Hand The dominant hand is:
10% faster for reach-type motions
More accurate than the non-dominant
More exposed to cumulative trauma
5% to 10% stronger
Work should arrive from the operator’s preferred side and leave from the non-preferred side.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

48. Guideline 13 Keep Arm Motions in the Normal Work Area
Avoid long benches.
Use swing arms.
For high use, keep it close.
Remember the arm pivots on the shoulder, not the nose.
The shoulder is very sensitive to small changes in workplace layout.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

49. Guideline 14 Let the Small Person Reach; Let the Large Person Fit
Design so most of the user population can use the design.
Jobs must be designed for both sexes: Small or Large - Weld
Multi-person use of equipment and stations is becoming more common.
The proportion to exclude depends on the seriousness of designing people out and the cost of including more people.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

50. Ergonomic Computer workstation
Workstation Design
Ergonomic Computer workstation
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

51. Ergonomic Computer workstation
10 steps for a good ergonomic arrangement of a Computer Workstation:
How will the computer be used?  
What kind of computer will be used?  
What furniture will you use?
What chair will be used?
What kind of work will the computer be used for?
What can you see?
Posture, posture, posture!
Keep it close!
Good Workstation Ergonomic Arrangement
Where will the computer be used?
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

52. Step # 1: How will the computer be used?
Who will be using the computer? 
One person: then the arrangement can be optimized for that person's size and shape, and features such as an adjustable height chair may be unnecessary.
Several people: you will need to create an arrangement that most closely satisfies the needs of the extremes, that is the smallest and tallest, thinnest and broadest persons, as well as those in between these extremes. 
How long will people be using the computer?
If it's a few minutes a day then ergonomic issues may not be a high priority.
If it's more than 1 hour per day it is advisable that you create an ergonomic arrangement.
If it's more than 4 hours then you should immediately implement an ergonomic arrangement.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

53. Step # 2: What kind of computer will be used?
Desktops : are the most widely and it means that the computer screen is separate from the keyboard. 
Laptop computers: are growing in popularity and are great for short periods of computer work. Guidelines for laptop use are more difficult because laptop design inherently is problematic - when the screen is at a comfortable height and distance the keyboard isn't and vice versa.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

54. Step # 3: What furniture will you use?
Make sure that the computer (monitor, CPU system unit, keyboard, mouse) are placed on a stable working surface with adequate room for proper arrangement. If this work surface is going to be used for writing on paper as well as computer use a flat surface that is between 28"-30" above the floor (suitable for most adults).
You should consider attaching a keyboard/mouse tray system to your work surface.
Choose a system that is height adjustable, that allows you to tilt the keyboard down away from you slightly for better wrist posture, and that allows you to use the mouse with your upper arms relaxed and as close to the body as possible and with your wrist in a comfortable and neutral position.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

55. Step # 4: What chair will be used?
Choose a comfortable chair for the user to sit in.
If only one person is using this the chair can even be at a fixed height providing that it is comfortable to sit on and has a good backrest that provides lumbar support.
If more than one person will be using the computer, consider a chair with several ergonomic features.
Best seated posture:
Studies show that the best seated posture is a reclined posture of degrees
NOT the upright 90 degree posture that is often portrayed.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

56. How to choose an ergonomic chair?
An ergonomic chair should meet at least the following criteria:
Does the seat pan feel comfortable and fit your shape?
Is the seat chair height adjustable?
Is the range of height adjustment of the chair sufficient to meet the needs of all users?
Does the chair have a comfortable lumbar (lower back) back rest?
Is the chair back rest large enough to provide good back support?
When you sit back against the lumbar support is there ample space for hip room?
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

57. How to choose an ergonomic chair? (Cont.)
Does the seat pan still feel comfortable after you've been sitting in it for minutes?
Does the chair backrest recline and support your back in different positions?
Does the chair have a 5 pedestal base?
Do you need armrests on your chair?
Do you need a footrest?
What chair covering is best?
Do you need an adjustable tilt seat pan ?
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

58. Step # 5: What kind of work will the computer be used for?
Try to anticipate what type of software will be used most often.
Word processing: arranging the best keyboard/mouse position is high priority.
Surfing the net, graphic design: arranging the best mouse position is high priority.
Data entry: arranging the best numeric keypad/keyboard is a high priority.
Games: arranging the best keyboard/mouse/game pad is a high priority.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

59. Step # 6: What can you see?
Make sure that any paper documents that you are reading are placed as close to the computer monitor as possible and that these are at a similar angle - use a document holder where possible. 
Take the following considerations into account to position the monitor:
Place it directly in front of you and facing you.
Center the monitor on the user.
Put the monitor at a comfortable height.
Bifocals and progressive lens.
Viewing distance.
Screen quality.
Eye checkup.
Use a document holder that can be comfortably seen.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

60. Step # 7: Posture, posture, posture!
Good posture is the basis of good workstation ergonomics. Good posture is the best way to avoid a computer-related injury. To ensure good user posture:
Make sure that the user can reach the keyboard keys with their wrists as flat as possible (not bent up or down) and straight (not bent left or right).
Make sure that the user's elbow angle (the angle between the inner surface of the upper arm and the forearm) is at or greater than 90 degrees to avoid nerve compression at the elbow.
Make sure that the upper arm and elbow are as close to the body and as relaxed as possible for mouse use - avoid overreaching.
Make sure the user sits back in the chair and has good back support.
Make sure the head and neck are as straight as possible .
Make sure the posture feels relaxed for the user.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

61. Step # 8: Keep it close!
Make sure that those things the user uses most frequently are placed closest to the user so that they can be conveniently and comfortably reached.
Make sure that the user is centered on the alphanumeric keyboard. Most modern keyboards are asymmetrical in design (the alphanumeric keyboard is to the left and a numeric keypad to the right). If the outer edges of the keyboard are used as landmarks for centering the keyboard and monitor, the users hands will be deviated because the alphanumeric keys will be to the left of the user's midline. Move the keyboard so that the center of the alphanumeric keys (the B key, is centered on the mid-line of the user).
Make sure that the phone is also close to you if you frequently use it.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

62. Step # 9: Good Workstation Ergonomic Arrangement
A good workstation ergonomic arrangement will allow any computer user to work in a neutral, relaxed, ideal typing posture that will minimize the risk of developing any injury.
An ideal keyboard arrangement is to place this on a height adjustable negative-tilt tray.
An ideal mouse arrangement is for this to be on a flat surface that's 1-2" above the keyboard and moveable over the numeric keypad.
If you want a surface at the level of the keyboard base then make sure that this can also be angled downwards slightly to help to keep your hands in wrist neutral while you are mousing, and keep your elbow is as close to the body as possible while you work.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

63. Step # 10: Where will the computer be used?
Think about the following environmental conditions where the computer will be used:
Lighting: make sure that the lighting isn't too bright. You shouldn't see any bright light glare on the computer screen. If you do, move the screen, lower the light level, use a good quality, glass anti-glare screen. Also make sure that the computer monitor screen isn't backed to a bright window or facing a bright window so that there's the screen looks washed out (use a shade or drapes to control window brightness).
Ventilation: make sure that you use your computer somewhere that has adequate fresh-air ventilation and that has adequate heating or cooling so that you feel comfortable when you're working.
Noise: noise can cause stress and that tenses your muscles which can increase injury risks. Try to choose a quiet place for your workstation, and use low volume music, preferably light classical, to mask the hum of any fans or other sound sources.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

64. Lighting

65. Workstation Design General Tips April 1, 2017
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

66. 12 tips for an Ergonomic Computer Workstation
use a good chair with a dynamic chair back and sit back in this
top of monitor casing 2-3" (5-8 cm) above eye level 
no glare on screen, use an optical glass anti-glare filter where needed
sit at arms length from monitor
feet on floor or stable footrest 
use a document holder, preferably in-line with the computer screen
wrists flat and straight in relation to forearms to use keyboard/mouse/input device
arms and elbows relaxed close to body 
center monitor and keyboard in front of you 
use a negative tilt keyboard tray  with an upper mouse platform or downward tiltable platform adjacent to keyboard
use a stable work surface and stable (no bounce) keyboard tray
take frequent short breaks (micro breaks)
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

67. Take a Break!
All Ergonomists agree that it's a good idea to take frequent, brief rest breaks: Practice the following:
Eye breaks: Every 15 minutes you should briefly look away from the screen for a minute or two to a more distant scene, preferably something more that 20 feet away. This lets the muscles inside the eye relax. Also, blink your eyes rapidly for a few seconds. This refreshes the tear film and clears dust from the eye surface.
Micro-breaks: most typing is done in bursts rather than continuously. Between these bursts of activity you should rest your hands in a relaxed, flat, straight posture.
Rest breaks: every 30 to 60 minutes you should take a brief rest break. During this break stand up, move around and do something else. Go and get a drink of water, tea, coffee or whatever.
Exercise breaks - there are many stretching and gentle exercises that you can do to help relieve muscle fatigue. You should do these every 1-2 hours.
Ergonomic software: working at a computer can be hypnotic, and often you don't realize how long you've been working and how much you've been typing and mousing. You can get excellent ergonomic software that you can install on your computer.
All Ergonomists agree that it's a good idea to take frequent, brief rest breaks: Practice the following:
Eye breaks - looking at a computer screen for a while causes some changes in how the eyes work, causes you to blink less often, and exposes more of the eye surface to the air. Every 15 minutes you should briefly look away from the screen for a minute or two to a more distant scene, preferably something more that 20 feet away. This lets the muscles inside the eye relax. Also, blink your eyes rapidly for a few seconds. This refreshes the tear film and clears dust from the eye surface.
Micro-breaks - most typing is done in bursts rather than continuously. Between these bursts of activity you should rest your hands in a relaxed, flat, straight posture. During a micro-break (< 2minutes) you can briefly stretch, stand up, move around, or do a different work task e.g. make a phone call). A micro-break isn't necessarily a break from work, but it's a break from the use of a particular set of muscles that's doing most of the work (e.g. the finger flexors if you're doing a lot of typing).
Rest breaks - every 30 to 60 minutes you should take a brief rest break. During this break stand up, move around and do something else. Go and get a drink of water, soda, tea, coffee or whatever. This allows you to rest and exercise different muscles and you'll feel less tired.
Exercise breaks - there are many stretching and gentle exercises that you can do to help relieve muscle fatigue. You should do these every 1-2 hours.
Ergonomic software - working at a computer can be hypnotic, and often you don't realize how long you've been working and how much you've been typing and mousing. You can get excellent ergonomic software that you can install on your computer (free download available at The best software will run in the background and it will monitor how much you've been using the computer. It will prompt you to take a rest break at appropriate intervals, and it will suggest simple exercises.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

68. Problem postures Desk top keyboard April 1, 2017
Typing at a keyboard on a desk is a common work posture for many computer users. In this position it is difficult to maintain the wrist is in a neutral posture, because the forearms sag as they tire and this puts the wrists into greater wrist extension. Also, most users have to work with their elbows flexed, which can compress the median and ulnar nerves at the elbow and restrict blood flow to the hands. Working with the forearms sloping up increase muscle loads in the upper arms, shoulders, and neck. Working in this position for more than 3-4 hours invariably leads to muscle fatigue.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

69. Problem postures (Cont.)
Conventional keyboard tray
Typing at a keyboard on a conventional articulating keyboard tray can increase postural problems for users. Working with the keyboard more steeply angled on the tray is a common work posture for many computer users. In this position it is also difficult to maintain the wrist is in a neutral posture, because the forearms sag as they tire and this puts the wrists into greater wrist extension. Studies have failed to show that conventional keyboard trays substantially improve wrist posture.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

70. Ideal Typing Position Negative slope keyboard support April 1, 2017
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

71. Good Posture

72. DO! & DO NOT!
Do NOT!
DO!
Looking forward to look at the screen, use the keyboard, and move the mouse.
Keep your back naturally curved.  Support your lower back with a lumbar support.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

73. Do NOT! DO! DO! & DO NOT! (Cont.)
Keep your feet flat on the floor or the footrest.  Do not tuck your feet under your chair.
Take breaks from sitting in you chair.  Stand up, stretch
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

74. DO NOT! DO! DO! & DO NOT! (Cont.) Do not use a wrist rest.
Position the keyboard so that your forearms are parallel to your thighs when your feet are flat on the floor.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

75. DO NOT! DO! DO! & DO NOT! (Cont.)
Do not use a mouse that forces you to bend your wrist.
Keep your elbow close to your body and allow your arm to relax while you use the mouse.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

76. Good Vs. Poor Designs Conventional Arrangement
Improved Ergonomic Arrangement
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

77. Good Vs. Poor Designs (Cont.)
Conventional Arrangement
Improved Ergonomic Arrangement
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

78. Mouse Use Conventional Mouse Arrangement
Improved Ergonomic Arrangement
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

79. Screen Adjustment
The optimum position for the most important visual display, degrees below the horizontal line of sight, according to the International Standards Organisation
It has been found that a lower monitor height and low gaze angle results in reduced
headaches and eyestrain. It has also bee found that lower monitor placement exposes
less of the eyeball to the atmosphere and reduces the rate of tear evaporation. This
keeps the eyes more moist and reduces the risk of Dry Eye Syndrome.
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017

80. Any Question?
Lab # 3: Workstation Design
April 1, 2017