FPA offers an extensive range of commercial office furnishings that comply with Australian and International standards. Where applicable and appropriate, our preferred products are approved and evaluated by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (Worksafe Australia) and other relevant bodies. (AFRDI).
We have produced the following guide, using materials provided by the Ergonomics Unit of the Health and Safety Organisation, Victoria, as a resource to provide information on creating a comfortable and productive work environment.
How to set the correct height of an adjustable chair
The chair height should be set so that the thighs are approximately horizontal and the feet rest comfortably on the floor.
If the chair height is correctly set but the desk is too high, either lower the desk height or raise the height of the chair and use a foot rest to make up the height difference of the feet above the ground. (see figure right)
Combine chair and desk adjustments to position the work at elbow height. Where writing and keying tasks are performed, it may be necessary for the chair height to be adjusted between these two tasks (that is, raised for keying and lowered for writing).
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VDU Standards
VDU monitors should be raised above desk height to reduce postural strain to the user's muscles. The top of the VDU should generally be level with the user's horizontal eye level and at a distance of one full arm length when the operator is sitting in their usual position for keying.
(see figure right) |
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Eye Exercises
Sit up straight, face forward and repeat this sequence several times without moving head. Look up then down. Look left, then right.
Look up and away from screen. Focus on a distant object (more than three metres). For example, look out of the window or at a picture on a far wall. Shift vision back to screen and refocus.
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Breaks
Rest or work breaks can range from short pauses to defined breaks such as lunch. Answering the phone or collecting a document from the printer are short breaks that provide different movements. They are an opportunity for muscles that have been active in computer use to rest and recover.
From the Health and Safety Organisation, Victoria publication Officewise: A Guide to Health and Safety in the Office, Second edition, May 1996. Reproduced with permission.
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References
The following is a general list of Commonwealth Acts and Regulations pertaining to work safety:
Acts
Occupational Health and Safety Act, (Commonwealth Employment) 1991.
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.
Comcare, National Occupational Health and Safety Standards Information Booklet (1994).
Regulations
Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Regulations 1993.
Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment)(National Standards) Regulations.
Occupational Health and Safety Act, (Commonwealth Employment) 1991.
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.
Comcare, National Occupational Health and Safety Standards Information Booklet (1994). |
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