Being comfortable at work is a shortcut to increased productivity. When work environments are ergonomically designed, everybody can perform to their full potential. Follow our five tips to achieve a more ergonomic and productive office. 1. An ergonomic workstation A good working posture is vital for everybody’s physical and mental wellbeing whether employees choose to sit or stand at their workstations. Investing in comfortable, well-designed chairs always pays off. They should be easily adjustable to give a relaxed posture and eliminate stressful angles or excessive reaching. Desks or other work surfaces should be tailored to individual use while giving the option of standing at the workstation for all or part of the working day if appropriate. Good-quality office seating and desks should always be adjustable to as many positions as possible.
2. Screen, keyboard and mouse positions Once seating and workstations have been individually tailored, the next step to an ergonomic office is considering the positioning of screens, keyboards and mice. Mice should be placed so that arms remain parallel to the body, reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury while keyboards should be central to the body’s midline at a height that doesn’t put a strain on elbows and wrists. Screens should be angled so that they can be viewed with necks in a comfortable neutral position. 3. Lighting Lighting has a huge impact on the workplace. Flickering ceiling lights or lights that cause glare on computer screens must be eliminated for a more ergonomic office. If it’s not possible to work in natural light, pick customised desk lamps with state-of-the-art LED bulbs that mimic daylight. As well as providing illumination that is kind on the eyes, LED bulbs also save money and energy. If the day’s workload also involves reading printed material, a suitable light should be provided for this. 4. Filing systems Having a well-organised filing system designed for the particular needs of an office eliminates stress and time wasting. Good filing systems not only increase productivity but create a good impression on customers in face-to-face office situations. Filing systems should be planned with a normal day’s office activity in mind and only ever be filled to a maximum 80% of capacity. This allows for flexibility and a general overview to be maintained. 5. Creating the right atmosphere Once office furniture and lighting has been ergonomically designed, consider the office atmosphere. Fans and humidifiers protect equipment as well as ensuring the fine dust emitted by electronic equipment does not cause or aggravate respiratory problems such as hay fever or asthma for office workers. Well-placed greenery is relaxing to look at and stimulates brain cells. If the plants are real, even better, as they help maintain oxygen levels in the atmosphere. Larger plants are also ideal for providing visual breaks and some privacy in open-plan offices. Whether starting from scratch or upgrading an existing space follow these five tips for a more ergonomic office. Head over to Kaiser+Kraft to find some more practical office equipment.