Advice

Ergonomic advice

Ergo2Work is happy to help you create a healthy and efficient workplace, both at home and in the office. Guidelines on occupational health and safety state that the workplace must be adapted to the employee, so that he can work responsibly and healthily. What this exactly means varies of course from person to person. We can therefore provide you with specialized and personal advice, so that you are actually helped. We supply all kinds of products that can help set up an ergonomic workplace.

If you need personal advice, you can contact our specialists by phone or email. Ergo2Work has specialists with a background in ergonomics and physiotherapy.

Tips for Setting Up an Ergonomic Workplace

Below you will find some general advice for setting up an ergonomic workplace. This is described on the basis of the following sections:

• The correct sitting position
• Work standing
• Monitor height
• Mouse use
• Keyboard usage
• Other resources

The correct sitting position

There are a number of rules of thumb to achieve the correct ergonomic sitting position.

Legs:

• The thighs are horizontal;
• Feet are flat on the ground;
• The angle between upper and lower legs is 90º to 120º.;
• The seat depth is sufficient, so that a maximum of a fist's width fits between the seat and the back of the knee.

If your office chair is not sufficiently adjustable in height, a footrest is recommended. That way you can still place your legs in the right angle and position.

Arms:

• The forearms are horizontal, with the angle between the upper and lower arms being 90º.;
• The forearms rest on an armrest or can rest on the tabletop.;
• Ideally, the office chair has armrests that can be adjusted in width, height and depth. If not, an external armrest offers a solution.

Back:

• The backrest offers sufficient support at belt and lumbar height;
• The backrest is slightly reclined in an angle between 95º and 105º;

We have different types of office chairs and ergonomic saddle stools in our range, which contribute to an ergonomically correct sitting position. The chairs provide adequate support; the stools ensure that the user remains in constant movement and thus trains the muscles.

If you have a chair that meets the requirements in terms of height, but not quite yet in terms of support, seat cushions or lumbar rolls offer a solution.

Work standing

Desktop workplace

Alongside maintaining a correct sitting position, the height of the desk is equally crucial.

Extended periods of seated work can place excessive strain on the body, particularly if there is minimal movement. Recognizing this, many employers are transitioning to height-adjustable desk workstations, allowing employees to alternate between sitting and standing.

The desk should be adjusted to a height that enables the arms to rest comfortably, maintaining a 90º angle at the forearms. This ergonomic positioning applies whether sitting or standing. A useful guideline for selecting a height-adjustable workstation: the maximum height of the table should be approximately 50-60 cm lower than the individual's body height (measured from the top of the head to the elbow).

Adequate space should be available at the bottom of the desk for the feet, allowing for comfortable positioning and the ability to stretch the legs to an angle of 120º. Additionally, there should be ample room for the thighs, with a hand-sized gap between the thighs and the underside of the tabletop serving as a practical rule of thumb.

Height-adjustable desk systems are engineered for prolonged and frequent use, offering various options including hand-crank models, those with a single built-in motor, and those with two built-in motors. Furthermore, some variants can be adjusted to angles of 90º or 120º. If you already have a tabletop, it can typically be easily mounted on any of our table frames.

Monitor height

Desktop workplace

When setting up a desktop workstation, it's recommended to position the screen approximately 50 cm away, with the top edge of the screen aligned with eye level. This arrangement minimizes strain on the neck and reduces eye fatigue.

To achieve this optimal setup, consider using a monitor stand or a monitor arm. These accessories can be easily mounted on your desktop or even on the wall, providing flexibility in positioning. Additionally, using a monitor arm creates more desk space, enhancing overall workspace organization.

Studies have indicated that using dual monitors can significantly boost productivity and reduce error rates. This setup offers a more efficient workflow, particularly when multitasking with multiple documents or applications simultaneously.

Laptop workplace

Neck discomfort often arises from prolonged laptop use, as the screen tends to be positioned too low. A simple solution to enhance your laptop workspace is to utilize a laptop stand. By elevating the laptop, the screen can be adjusted to the correct height, alleviating strain on the neck. Additionally, certain laptop stands available in our selection offer the convenience of accommodating documents in front of the laptop, especially when using an external keyboard.

Ensure that the screen is positioned approximately at arm's length away. Whenever feasible, consider incorporating one or more external monitors for an expanded workspace.

Mouse use

The mouse stands as the most frequently used device in the workplace and is consequently a primary source of complaints. Many individuals still utilize a conventional, flat-shaped computer mouse, which, due to its design, can cause rotation of the forearm joints and lead to long-term issues like RSI or related discomfort.

Primarily, it's crucial to keep the mouse within easy reach to avoid unnecessary stretching of muscles and tendons. Furthermore, the shape of the mouse, along with the hand and forearm's position and posture, play pivotal roles.

Vertical mice such as the Evoluent, Newtral, or HE Mouse offer a remedy. Their upright positioning enables joints and muscles to relax, thereby preventing or alleviating wrist and forearm complaints.

For shoulder discomfort, opting for a central mouse like the Rollermouse is advisable. Operating close to the body and within the shoulder line minimizes strain on muscles, making these computer mice a suitable alternative for addressing neck issues as well.

If finger-related clicking causes discomfort, the Rockstick mouse may provide a suitable solution. Its design facilitates clicking with the entire hand, reducing strain on hand muscles and nerves.

For hand-related complaints, the Hippus HandshoeMouse presents a solution. Its ergonomic shape provides support for the entire hand, while its keys require minimal effort, reducing strain on hand and finger muscles.

Moreover, a foot pedal mouse serves as a useful tool to decrease manual mouse clicks. Combining this with a vertical mouse promotes a natural wrist/arm position, thereby reducing muscle tension in the wrist and forearm.

Keyboard usage

Using an ergonomic keyboard alongside a mouse is highly recommended for individuals engaged in prolonged computer work. Two main types of ergonomic keyboards are compact keyboards and adjustable keyboards.

Positioning the keyboard directly in front of the body, within shoulder width, ensures optimal ergonomics. This arrangement allows the upper arms to hang naturally along the body without exerting strain.

Compact keyboards, which lack the numeric part, offer several benefits. They reduce the distance to the mouse, minimize muscle tension in the forearms, and generally provide greater comfort compared to standard keyboards. By eliminating the numeric part, compact keyboards enable typing within the shoulder line.

On the other hand, adjustable keyboards offer the advantage of height adjustability, allowing users to position their wrists at a natural angle. Adjustable split keyboards, in particular, enable users to split the keyboard into two halves, promoting a neutral and relaxed position of the forearms and wrists.

Even for laptop users, utilizing an external keyboard is recommended. In addition to ergonomic benefits, pairing an external keyboard with a laptop stand creates space for conveniently placing documents.

Other resources

Complaints are often multifaceted and can stem from various sources. While ergonomic mice and keyboards can alleviate some discomfort, the underlying causes may also include improper overall posture or an inadequately arranged workspace. Addressing these issues comprehensively, a complete ergonomic setup comprising a height-adjustable desk and complementary products like monitor arms and document holders, can have a significant impact.

Monitor arms enable users to customize the monitor's height, distance, and angle to achieve an optimal viewing position. Similarly, document holders help maintain a neutral neck position by preventing unnecessary twisting when referencing documents alongside the keyboard and mouse.

Should you have any inquiries regarding the information provided above, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to offer personalized advice and assistance.