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DESKS
Desk Quick Tips
- Desk surface should allow you to place the monitor
directly in front of you, at least 20 inches away.
- Avoid storing items, such as a CPU, under desks.
- Desks should be able to accommodate a variety of
working postures.
A well-designed and appropriately-adjusted desk will provide
adequate clearance for your legs, allow proper placement of
computer components and accessories, and minimize awkward
postures and exertions. The installation, setup, and
configuration of comfortable and productive workstations involves
the following considerations:
- Desk or work surface areas
- Areas under the desk or work surface
Desk or Work Surface Areas
Potential Hazards
- Limited space on the work surface may cause users to
place components and devices in undesirable positions.
This placement may lead to
- awkward postures as you reach for a pointer/mouse or look
at a monitor that is placed to the side.
Possible Solutions
- Work surface depth should allow you to:
- View the monitor at a distance of at least 20 inches
(50 cm), and
- Position the monitor to achieve the appropriate
viewing angle, which is generally directly in front
of you.
- The location of frequently-used devices (keyboard, phone,
and mouse) should remain within the repetitive access
(primary work zone).
Potential Hazard
- Some desks and computer equipment have hard, angled
leading edges that come in contact with a user's arm or
wrist. This can create contact stress, affecting nerves
and blood vessels, possibly causing tingling and sore
fingers.
Possible Solutions
To minimize contact stress,
- Pad table edges with inexpensive materials such as pipe
insulation,
- Buy furniture with rounded desktop edges.
Areas Under the Desk or Work Surface
Potential Hazard
- Inadequate clearance under the work surface may result in
discomfort and performance inefficiencies, such as the
following:
- Shoulder, back, and neck pain due to users sitting
too far away from computer components, causing them
to reach to perform computer tasks; and
- Generalized fatigue, circulation restrictions, and
contact stress due to constriction of movement and
inability to frequently change postures.
Possible Solutions
- Provide, to the extent possible, adequate clearance space
for users to frequently change working postures. This
space should remain free of items such as files, CPUs,
books, and storage.
- Be sure clearance spaces under all working surfaces
accommodates at least two of the three seated reference
working postures, one of which must be the upright seated
posture.
Potential Hazard
- Desk surfaces that are too high or too low may lead to
awkward postures, such as extended arms to reach the
keyboard, and raised shoulders.
Possible Solutions
- Raise work surfaces by inserting stable risers such as
boards or concrete blocks under the desk legs if
necessary.
- Remove center drawers of conventional desks to create
additional thigh clearance if necessary.
- Lower work surfaces by cutting off desk legs if
necessary. If the work surface cannot be lowered, raise
the chair to accommodate the user. If needed, provide a
footrest to support the user's feet.
- Provide height-adjustable desks. Desk should generally be
between 20-28 inches (50-72 cm) high.
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