AN ERGONOMIC WORKSPACE

Transcription

1 AN ERGONOMIC WORKSPACE The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate that musculoskeletal disorders cost UK employers between 590 million and 624 million per year. The estimated health care costs for back pain alone are 1.6 billion per year and nearly 5 million working days are lost as a result. The critical reason is the revolution in working lifestyle: more and more time is spent sitting at a desk, working at computers. Many of these disorders and their associated costs can be avoided with simple advice and good workspace design. Educating users and investing in ergonomic products enables employers to increase productivity and company performance while reducing employee absenteeism, staff turnover and compensation claims. KEYBOARD PAGE 2 MOUSE PAGE 3 FOOT REST PAGE 4 BACK REST PAGE 4 CHAIR PAGE 5 DESK PAGE 6 RED SPACE have come up with this handy guide* to help users create the perfect ergonomic workspace. The diagram below will help direct you to ergonomic advice about relevant pieces of apparatus as well as product recommendations. RED SPACE Unit 5, Tower Estate, Chalgrove, Oxon, OX44 7XZ T: redspaceinteriors.co.uk *The advice in this leaflet is guided by The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the 1992 EC Directive (90/270/EEC) and information published by the HSE. 1

2 AN ERGONOMIC POSITION CAN BE MAINTAINED BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES: 1. Your keyboard should be separate and tilt adjustable. It is not advisable to use a laptop for prolonged periods unless you have at least a riser or preferably a workstation. 2. There should be enough space in front of your keyboard to provide support for your wrists and hands a wrist support can help. 3. Ideally, the keyboard should be directly in front of you and parallel with your shoulders. KEYBOARD THE POSITION OF YOUR KEYBOARD IN YOUR WORKSPACE WILL AFFECT THE POSTURE THAT YOU GENERALLY MAKE. IF YOUR KEYBOARD IS POORLY POSITIONED YOU RISK DEVELOPING BACK, NECK AND WRIST PAIN AS WELL AS REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY (RSI) AND CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME (CTS) SERIOUS CONDITIONS THAT AFFECT THE MUSCLES, TENDONS AND NERVES IN THE HANDS, ARMS AND UPPER BACK. FELLOWES OFFICE SUITES LAPTOP RISER Places laptop at a comfortable viewing angle for ease of use. Adjustable tilt allows you to customise viewing angle and screen height. Supports up to 5kg FELLOWES PROFESSIONAL SERIES LAPTOP WORKSTATION Eliminates the need for a monitor and adjusts to seven different heights to maximise viewing comfort. Rotates 360 degrees for sharing work and easy cord access. Dedicated external keyboard storage saves valuable desktop space FELLOWES CRYSTAL GEL WRIST SUPPORT Ergonimically designed to help maintain a neutral wrist positioning when typing which helps to reduce strain. Available in 3 colours X Blue Red Purple RED SPACE Unit 5, Tower Estate, Chalgrove, Oxon, OX44 7XZ T: redspaceinteriors.co.uk 2

3 MOUSE MOUSE WORK SHARES MANY OF THE RISKS OF USING A KEYBOARD, BUT BECAUSE ACTIVITY IS CONCENTRATED ON ONE HAND AND ARM (AND ONE OR TWO FINGERS), PROBLEMS ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY. ACHES AND PAINS IN THE FINGERS, HANDS, WRISTS, ARMS OR SHOULDERS ARE COMMON AND RSI AND CTS CAN OFTEN DEVELOP AFTER LONG PERIODS OF BAD POSTURE AND TECHNIQUE. FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO AVOID THE RISKS. 1. When using your mouse, your forearms should rest slightly higher than the working surface and should be supported with the aid of the armrest or a mouse rest. 2. Place the mouse close so it can be used with a relaxed arm and straight wrist. 3. If you find using a mouse awkward, try a different shaped or sized one. 4. Try to limit the time you spend using the mouse and take frequent breaks or short pauses to relax your arm. Armrests should be used when resting and they will encourage you to lean back and take the strain off your upper limbs. 3M ERGONOMIC MOUSE The unique, ergonomic vertical grip design has been clinically proven to reduce muscle strain and discomfort associated with CTS and RSI compared to using a traditional mouse. Enhances your comfort by keeping arms and shoulders in a more relaxed, neutral position. Available in 2 sizes. EM500GPL Large EM500GPS Small FELLOWES CRYSTAL GEL MOUSE REST Ergonomically designed to help maintain neutral wrist positioning when typing which helps to reduce strain. Available in 3 colours Blue Red Purple RED SPACE Unit 5, Tower Estate, Chalgrove, Oxon, OX44 7XZ T: redspaceinteriors.co.uk 3

4 FOOT REST ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR YOUR FEET CAN MAKE A TANGIBLE IMPROVEMENT TO YOUR POSTURE AND PREVENT LOWER BACK PAIN. FOOT RESTS ARE PARTICULARLY HELPFUL FOR SMALLER USERS. It is recommended that you rest your feet firmly on the floor or on a foot rest. You should also ensure that there is enough space under your desk to allow your legs room to move and stretch. FELLOWES FOOT REST Includes two height position adjustments and textured platform to provide massage relief to tired feet KENSINGTON SOLESOOTHER FOOT REST 0-20 degree angle setting adjusted with your feet. Height adjustable with a wave massage patterned large platform BACK REST MOST CHAIRS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR YOUR BACK SO THE ADDITION OF A BACK REST CAN COMPENSATE FOR CHAIRS WITH STRAIGHT BACKS. THE BACK REST CAN HELP YOU TO OBTAIN THE OPTIMUM POSTURE THAT A MORE ADVANCED CHAIR DELIVERS AND AVOID BACK PAIN AND OTHER CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH A POOR SEATING POSITION. FELLOWES BACK SUPPORT Designed for chairs with straight backs that offer limited support. Made from high density foam to give firm consistent support. Removable cover for easy cleaning FELLOWES ULTIMATE BACK SUPPORT The most advanced back support in the industry. Mid-spine support with memory foam cushion. Tri-Tachment system ensures stability and eliminates the need for readjustment. Lumbar support with three memory foam sections conforms comfortably to natural body curvature. Fully adjustable design fits most office chairs (shown) RED SPACE Unit 5, Tower Estate, Chalgrove, Oxon, OX44 7XZ T: redspaceinteriors.co.uk 4

5 CHAIR THE SPINE IS ONE OF THE MOST DELICATE PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY. INCORRECT SEATING POSITIONS SUCH AS SLOUCHING MAY CAUSE AN UNHEALTHY CURVE OF THE SPINE AND PUT INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE SOFT TISSUES (MUSCLES, DISCS AND SO ON). A GOOD WORKING POSTURE CAN BE ACHIEVED BY ADJUSTING YOUR CHAIR IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: 1. Adjust your seat height so that your elbows are resting slightly higher than the desk surface. Your thighs should be between degrees to the upright body. Your eyes should be the same height as the top of your monitor. 2. You should ensure that you sit firmly against the back pad with a small gap between the front of the seat pad and the back of your knees. 3. The height of your back rest should be adjusted to match the small of the back. Shoulders should be relaxed to avoid neck and shoulder tension. 4. Allow your chair to move freely by releasing the seat and back locking mechanism to encourage your muscles to work and help circulation. Clik PLEDGE POSTURE COLLECTION These stylish chairs are designed using the revolutionary Pelvic Posture Principle. Developed by a prominent chiropractor and chartered engineer, they allow the wings of the pelvis to be supported just below the waist and allow the spine to take up its natural shape whilst sitting. The uniquely shaped pelvic support contacts these critical areas of the spine and pelvis, providing increased support. Available in 3 ranges: Task, Clik (shown) and Pos (shown), the chairs have the following seat and back adjustments: Pos Independent locking back rake adjustment Back height adjustment Independent seat tilt adjustment Seat depth adjustment Body weight tension control RED SPACE Unit 5, Tower Estate, Chalgrove, Oxon, OX44 7XZ T: redspaceinteriors.co.uk 5

6 DESK IF YOUR DESK IS AT THE WRONG HEIGHT IT WILL MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO REACH AN ERGONOMIC BODY POSITION. YOUR KEYBOARD, MONITOR AND MOUSE ALL REST ON THE WORKING SURFACE AND YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO USE THEM SAFELY IF THEY ARE AT THE WRONG HEIGHT. Height adjustable desking is available which can provide extra levels of adaptability to your workspace and help you make the perfect posture. Conventional desks can be raised with the addition of desk raisers; simple devices that provide an elevated and stable work surface. EUROTEK STRETCH RANGE Manually adjustable frames can be fitted to a variety of top sizes and shapes and will increase the height from 655mm to 855mm. The frame is adjusted easily by using a removable crank handle. OE DR1 VERSATILE DESK RAISER Enables a standard desk to be adjusted in height. Each stackable raiser is 1.1 inches in height, very strong and sturdy and will accept circular or cantilever legs. Comes in a set of 4, black finish. RED SPACE Unit 5, Tower Estate, Chalgrove, Oxon, OX44 7XZ T: redspaceinteriors.co.uk 6