WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

Is your workspace set up correctly?

What are workstation ergonomics? This is basically how your workspace is set up and lets you perform your day to day activities safely. As office-related injuries are very common, we have put together this workstation ergonomics questionnaire. In order to assess whether your workstation ergonomics are adequate, answer all the questions as accurately and honestly as possible.

In an ergonomically correct work environment, the replies to all questions should be in the affirmative. If the reply to any of these questions is no, action should be taken to optimise your workstation ergonomics. This will help to prevent any possible office-related injuries before they occur. You may be able to do this yourself or with the help of your manager, union representative, or health and safety officer. You can also download the questionnaire in PDF format here.

Workstation ergonomics questionnaire

For an accurate reflection of your workstation ergonomics, please answer all questions.

Desks

• Is there enough space on your desktop for the flow of work?
• Do you have adequate leg room (height, width and depth)?
• Is the desk deep enough for the monitor to be at least 20 inches away from the eyes?
• If the monitor is at one end of the desk, do you have sufficient legroom to roll the chair to that end of the desk. Thus allowing you to sit square to it?
• Do you have a comfortable resting place for your hands and wrists when not typing?
• Is the layout of the desktop equipment satisfactory?

Chairs

• Is the chair at a height that allows your elbows to be at approximately the same height as the desk edge when you are using the keyboard?
• Does the bottom-cushion have a suitable length for your upper legs? (i.e. Can you sit fully back in the seat without any pressure behind the knee?)
• Are the armrests at a suitable and supportive height when you sit upright?
• Can you get the chair close enough to the desk to type with your elbows vertically under your shoulders?
• Does the backrest support the small of your back (lumbar spine) in an upright posture?
• Does the foam on the bottom and back of the chair cushion your fist when you press hard into them?
• Is the chair comfortable?
• Can you adjust the backrest  in order to provide adequate support and encourage good posture?
• Is the chair stable and undamaged?

Footrests

• With the seat and desk adjusted correctly for the elbows, are the feet firmly on the floor without compressing the underside of the thighs?
• If a footrest is (thus) required, is an appropriate one present?
• If not, are you going to get one without a Health & Safety intervention?

Display screen equipment

Is the:

• top of the visible area at eye height when you are sitting upright?
• monitor at a suitable distance from your eyes (20″- 26″ / 50-65cm)?
• monitor directly in front of you so that you do not sit twisted?
• screen free from glare and reflections?
• information on the screen well defined and easy to read?
• image stable and flicker free?
• screen tilted between 0 and 15 degrees up from the vertical?
• brightness and contrast of the screen easily adjustable?
• monitor positioned so that you are you free from discomfort in the eyes and neck?

Keyboard

Is the keyboard:

• at an angle that prevents wrists becoming angled when typing?
• suitably distanced from you so that your elbows are vertically under your shoulders when typing?
• Are you aware that you should move the keyboard over for intensive mouse or keypad use?
• Is the standard keyboard width satisfactory (e.g. can you use the mouse without having to reach excessively to the side)?

Mouse

• Is the mouse close enough to the user to use without extending the arm at the elbow?
• Does the mouse run smoothly on its mat and work accurately?
• Do you know how to clean the mouse?
• Are you able to adjust the tracking speed of the mouse and use double-click intervals?
• Have you received training in order to minimise mouse use  (quick keys, keyboard shortcuts, styles and templates)? Do you know that you should use them?

Document holders

• Can you perform all of your tasks without having to refer to paper documents?
• Does the duration of these tasks mean that you do not need a document holder?
• Can you review documents with your head in a balanced posture?
• Has your employer provided you with a document holder?
• Is the document holder of a suitable size and position?

Other equipment

• Is the other equipment at the workstation appropriate for use?
• Does the location of this extra equipment allow you to maintain correct posture?

Space and room layout

• Do you have adequate access to the workstation?
• Is there space to manoeuvre the chair?
• Does the layout of the immediate work area allow you to work in a correct posture?
• Is there sufficient storage space?
• Are the cables in a safe and secure position in order to prevent accidents?
• Thinking about the position of your monitor, is it positioned at right angles to the windows?
• Is the work area free from obstructions and hazards?

Lighting

• Do you have adequate lighting for all the tasks?
• Is the background behind the screen slightly less bright than the screen?
• Does the position of the lighting prevent glare and reflections?
• Do the windows have effective blinds to control daylight?

Noise

• Is the workstation quiet enough for concentration and conversation?
• Does the noise originate from something that is not part of the workstation?

Temperature and humidity

• Is the temperature comfortable most of the time?
• Can you adjust the temperature locally?
• Is humidity normally comfortable for your eyes and sinuses?
• Is the work area free from draughts?

Software

• Are you free from stressing levels of uncertainty and anxiety when using software?

Work organisation

• Can you organise your time to have adequate breaks from the screen?
• Do you have non-computer activities incorporated into your daily routine?
• Is your workload reasonably free of urgent peaks and troughs?

Training and information

• Have you received information about how to adopt good posture at the workstation?
• Do you know how to avoid visual fatigue?
• Have you received training in order to detect and avoid stress at work?
• Has your employer provided information about the provision of eyesight tests?
• Are you aware of the provision of corrective lenses?
• Do you know about taking breaks and changes in work activities?
• Does your employer provide training and information as to how to adjust your workstation?
• Do you know who you can report workstation problems to?

Cleaning activities

• Is your workstation tidy and cleaned regularly?
• Is your equipment cleaned regularly?

Tasks and posture

• Do you have to hold the phone and type at the same time? How often does this occur?
• Do you type with your wrists not resting on the table?
• When typing, are your wrists in a flat, neutral position?

Appointments

If you are experiencing an office-related injury or need further advice about workstation ergonomics, our team of highly qualified osteopaths and physiotherapists may be able to help you. They will be able to offer treatment for injuries, as well as offer workstation ergonomics advice to prevent the injury from recurring. You can book by calling us on 020 8789 3881.

Further reading

Ergonomics – Health and Safety Executive