Ergonomics at Work

If you or your employees spend a lot of time at a desk, typing on a computer or talking on a phone, considering ergonomic office furniture might be a good idea.

This is so for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact it can help cut down on sick days, worker's compensation claims and, quite frankly, improve morale.

The problem for the person in charge of stocking the office with furniture is figuring out what to buy in the ergonomic arena. There are a lot of choices out there and not every employees needs every item by necessity.

Here's a break down of some of the most common forms of ergonomic furniture and/or devices:

• Footrests - these are incredibly valuable for employees who sit a great deal of their day. Properly aligned, ergonomic footrests can ease legs problems and lessen lower back issues. Considering the back creates some of the most days of work lost each year in America alone, looking into these is not a bad idea.
  
• Adjustable Chairs - one size does not fit all when it comes to chairs. The smartest purchases are those with proper armrests, adjustable heights and those with good back support. See footrests in regard to the back!
  
• Desks with lowering keyboard holders for those who type a lot. This can help ease issues with wrists and frankly just make it easier and more efficient to type. The more natural the hands lie on the keyboard, the better.
  
• Wrist guards for keyboards - if height can't be adjusted correctly between the chair and desk, these can work well to avoid issues with carpal tunnel. Any small gesture you can make to lessen or eliminate problems before they start just makes good common sense.
  
• Glare reducers for computer screens - if you can't afford eye-friendly flat screen monitors, consider relatively inexpensive screens that make working on the computer easier on the eyes. Computer screens can cause issues with headaches, eyestrain and more, which equates to lost days or can. It's a small investment that can save money in the long run.

There are a number of ergonomic tools offices can employ to improve the comfort and productivity of their employees. Looking into them is no longer a novelty, it's good business sense.