Michaels Business Furniture

Ergonomics

The study of equipment design to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort. A person’s relationship and interaction within work environments.

Input Device(Mouse) Recommendation in Work surface design

Subject Recommendation Mouse Placement
Mouse Platform Height Place at same height as keyboard and as close to the keyboard as possible. Mouse should be placed within the space delimited by the user’s forearm length and shoulder breadth to maintain neutral seated posture.
Mouse Platform Distance Located close to keyboard For operation without reaching. Wrist flexion less than 30' and wrist less than 10'.
Mouse Platform Tilt Mouse tray should have a slight negative tilt to keep wrists in a neutral posture. Mouse tray should have a slight negative tilt.
Palm Rests Use of palm rest is optional. When used, palm rests should not interfere with typing and wrist should not rest on sharp or hard edges. Palm rests should no impede motion while mousing or cause the user to assume outward postures.

Keyboard Recommendation in Workstation Design

Subject Recommendation Keyword Placement
Keyboard Height Keyboards should be located at a height that allows the worker to key with upper arms hanging relaxed from the shoulders and the elbows at roughly right angles, to allow the wrists to be fairly straight. Keyboard tray should be located at a height between 6.5 in (16.5 cm)(95th% male) and 10.5 in (26.7cm)(5th% female) from the top of the user's chair seat pan. *1
Keyboard Distance Keyboard should be placed within the space delimited by the user's forearm length and shoulder breadth. Keyboard tray should be located between 10.9in. (27.7 cm)(5th% female) and 15.7 in. (39.9 cm) (95th% male) from the back of the user's elbow when forearms are positioned parallel to the floor. Combined with keyboard distance to allow worker to maintain neutral postures while typing. *1
Keyboard Tray Tilt

Keyboard tray should have a slight negative tilt to keep wrists in a neutral posture.

Keyboard tray should have a slight negative tilt.
Palm Rests Use of palm rest is optional. When used, palm rests should not interfere with typing and wrists should not rest on sharp or hard edges If palm rests are used, they should fit the width and height of the keyboard, so as not to impede motion during typing or cause the user to assume awkward postures. Resting heel of hand on palm rests while keying is not recommended.

*1 Values based on anthropometric data from US military personnel in the 1970’s * Recommended by BIFMA, CSA, ISO, OSHA, Research

10 Tips for an Ergonomic Workstation
  1. Place the monitor directly in front of and centered about the user.
  2. Place the monitor at a distance of more than 16” from the user and the viewing angle between 0 to negative 18 degrees.
  3. Keep CPU within arm’s reach but off of the work surface.
  4. Place work surface at a height that allows legs to fit comfortably underneath with feet flat on the floor. Use a footrest if needed.
  5. Keyboard should be located at a height that allows the worker to key with the upper arms hanging relaxed from the shoulders.
  6. Elbows should be roughly at right angles to allow the wrists to be fairly straight.
  7. Keyboard should have a slight negative tilt.
  8. Place the pointing device (mouse) at the same height as the keyboard and as close to the keyboard as possible.
  9. Always maintain contact with backrest of chair to minimize back discomfort.
  10. Take various 20 second to 2 minute rest breaks between regularly scheduled breaks.