Ergonomically Sound Workstation Equipment

Selecting Equipment

Coupled with good work habits, a properly outfitted computer workstation is essential to maximize efficiency and productivity, and minimize the potential for repetitive motion injuries. The following pages provide specific information about ergonomically-sound equipment that have been identified as appropriate to the Yale University work environment. Please note that this is not a static listing, but rather one that will change regularly as new products and pricing discounts become available. Given the number of products available, it is also not meant to represent the “only” equipment your should consider. So long as the product can achieve the desired ergonomic capabilities and benefits, it should be suitable for your application.

Please also note that a workstation need not have each and every piece of the equipment shown here to be “ergonomically correct.” Many people can and do achieve the correct angles, distances, and body positions with their existing equipment, and all are encouraged to try before resorting to simply buying new equipment.

The equipment described below is available through University Purchasing, and some will also be available through the Micro Computer Support Center at 175 Whitney Avenue.

Desks and Work Tables
Chairs
Monitor Stands
Keyboard/Mouse Trays
Copy Stands
Foot Stools
Other Equipment

A updated equipment catalog for 2002 is being prepared

Ergonomic Guidelines
The ideal computer desk is one with sufficient surface space to accommodate the monitor (and central processing unit unless it is a “tower” style unit) and all other needed desktop materials within easy and comfortable reach. As the trend towards larger monitors continues, assume that even more space will be needed in the future for the monitor alone.

The desk or table should provide clearance for the legs, and also clear space for a keyboard tray if one is needed.

Although the height of a desk or table is ultimately driven by the height of the user, an upper surface ranging from 28 – 32 inches from the floor is sufficient for most users. Note that some tables are height-adjustable – although expensive, these often offer even more flexibility to different workstation users.

When selecting a table with a corner oriented computer work station, ensure that the corner width can accommodate the monitor and keyboard without crowding from the two intersecting side pieces.

If the desk has a sharp leading edge, and a keyboard tray will not be used, installing a wrist pad along the edge will help prevent unnecessary pressure and pinching on the inner surface of the wrists.

Ergonomic Guidelines
The purpose of an “ergonomically-correct” chair is to enable the user to maintain an erect sitting posture. The ideal chair is one with:

Adjustable lower back (lumbar) support
Soft or curved front edge of seat bucket
Easily adjustable in height,
Five legs with rollers to provide easy and safe maneuverability.

If, after adjusting the chair height to establish the “neutral” typing position, you find that your feet cannot fully reach the floor, get a foot rest or foot stool. This is very important as the act of “pressing” your feet against the floor or stool helps counterbalance forces exerted on your lower back when sitting.

Some people prefer chairs with arm rests, others don’t. Although it’s really a matter of personal preference, consider that many people simply plant their elbows onto the rest. Unfortunately, this often creates an awkward flexion of the wrist when reaching to use the keyboard. If you choose a chair with arm rests, make certain they are adjustable - then they can actually be used as “resting” places for the arms, and moved down or away when actively keyboarding.

Ergonomic Guidelines
In order to position a monitor at the proper viewing angle (remember: about even with or just slightly below plane of the eyes), it is often necessary to elevate the monitor above the working surface. Although this can be done easily and inexpensively with a few phone books or other thick sturdy objects, a more attractive and sometimes more useful alternative is a formal monitor stand. These come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from stackable plastic trays to cantilevered, weighted, height-adjustable stands. If needed, choose one that provides your specific workstation with the appropriate increase in height and adjustability, and also bear in mind the size of your monitor. Heavier duty monitor stands are needed for large monitors.

Anti-glare monitor screens can be helpful in work locations where all other means of reducing glare have failed. If used, remember to also keep the screen clean and free of dust.

Ergonomic Guidelines
These accessories provide an adjustable surface for keyboards and computer mice. Although not necessary if you can achieve the neutral typing position with your existing table and chair, these trays become essential when retrofitting certain furniture to more intensive computer keyboard work.

If needed, the ideal computer keyboard tray is one that possesses the following characteristics:

Sufficient size to accommodate both the keyboard and mouse on the same plane, or very close together
Adjustable up, down, sideways, and in pitch or tilt
Capable of easy retraction under, or out of the way from, a desk or table.
Sturdy and solidly built to accept frequent movement, yet easily and quickly adjusted.

Since keyboard trays almost always reside below a desk surface, adequate leg clearance can become problematic and is a compromise or trade-off the user must recognize and be willing to accept.

If you use a keyboard tray, tilt it so that the keyboard is either flat or tilted slightly away from you (negative tilt) to further promote the neutral typing position.

Ergonomic Guidelines
Minimize neck, shoulder, and eye strain by keeping written work materials close to the monitor and directed towards your face. A pile of books or even folded heavy cardboard can make a serviceable temporary copy stand, but for intensive copy work, get a metal or plastic copy stand to prop up your work materials. Stands with rubber tipped legs help keep the stand from sliding on smooth work surfaces, and those with page holders keep documents from closing while working.

Ergonomic Guidelines
Foot stools are essential for computer users whose workstation arrangements prevent their feet from being firmly planted on the floor. This usually happens when a desk is too high for a user and the only means to achieve the neutral typing position is by raising the chair, thereby leaving the legs and feet dangling. If possible, first try to lower the work surface by either replacing the desk or using a keyboard tray. If this is infeasible or impractical, get a foot stool.

A variety of other equipment is available for improving computer workstation arrangements. These include soft wrist pads to cover sharp desk edges, low glare task lights, hand-conformable computer mice, and special large rubber ring grips for pencils and pens (to increase grasping surface area and thereby reduce gripping forces). Although none are featured in our catalog right now, these and other supplies may be found through various office equipment suppliers

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Click here to learn about related exercises, stretches, and other medical issues

Other Human Anatomy
and Computer Workstation Issues
Neck and Shoulders
Back
Wrists and Arms
Legs and Feet

Medical Issues
Exercises and Stretching
Management of Ergonomically-Related Disorders