- By Braidy Jarvis
- In Education
Ergonomics & Safety When Working Remotely Environmental Health and Safety
The way that you use the mouse of your computer and the other input devices can also have an effect on your health. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that can be developed because of the way that you use the mouse of your computer.
- For example, if you need a higher chair so you can reach the keyboard, your feet may not rest on the floor.
- Set up your work desk so that the items of frequent use are placed closest to you.
- It’s easy to work on your laptop for a few hours on the weekend, but doing so for 40-plus hours a week can lead to back, shoulder, and neck strain.
- If you already have an office in your home, simply check that your keyboard, monitor, and desk are the proper height and you are able to reach all the things you need while working.
- Dangling feet can lead to lower back pain, so if needed, invest in a simple foot stool for the extra height.
Following the principles of ergonomics, it is essential that while sitting, your forearms and thighs should be parallel to the floor. An adjustable chair with good lumbar support will help minimize neck and back strain, thereby https://remotemode.net/blog/10-remote-work-ergonomics-tips-to-use/ saving you from chronic neck/back pain in the future. Align the top of the monitor screen with the user’s seated eye height (when the user has no glasses, wears computer glasses, or wears single prescription lenses).
Keep this work from home ergonomics checklist in mind when transitioning into remote working:
Sharing a workstation means you need to adjust your computer height, chair, and furniture every time you sit down. Often, you may choose to skip adjusting the workstation altogether. If you are the only person using the space, customizing will reduce the time and discomfort of sitting at a station that does not fit you. Moving from workspace to workspace brings the challenge of finding a chair that’s the right height. Adjustable chairs allow you to have the proper height no matter if you’re at your desk or the kitchen table. The good news is that there are simple ergonomic tips that you can use, so you don’t suffer the consequences of sitting down for too long.
- Now that commuting has been nonexistent for so many people, natural daily movements are minimized.
- A typical kitchen or dining room table height is about 28 to 30 inches, so the height of your table should be fine for setting up your home office there.
- Try to keep the lighting to the side of the screen for indirect (and less harsh) lighting.
- Elbows should rest toward the side of your body, close to your center of gravity.
- This means more and more people are working at a location other than their business office.
- Even 61% of those who have an office to venture into choose to work from the comfort of their home, owing in part to the flexibility.
If progressive, bi-focal, or tri-focal lenses are worn, position the monitor so that the neck is neutral (straight) while looking through the glasses to view the monitor. If more https://remotemode.net/ than one person is using the same setup, some monitor adjustability may be needed. Placing your keyboard at elbow height is only the beginning of proper keyboard ergonomics.
Sitting vs. Standing
If the feet do not comfortably rest on the floor, use a footrest. Footrests can be purchased or can be made by using stable boxes, reams of paper, step stools, etc. The aim should be to have a right angle at the knees and hips with feet comfortably supported. Other times, a desk and chair are present, but may not have the adjustability needed to provide a suitable long-term work environment.
Try to keep the lighting to the side of the screen for indirect (and less harsh) lighting. If your monitor doesn’t adjust height (or you can’t raise it any more), consider propping the monitor up on a riser (or books) to achieve the right height. If the monitor is too high and won’t lower, adjust your chair up. Some adjustable-height desks let you save settings, so multiple users can quickly access their preferred desk height.
