Tips For The Optimal Workplace

2023 Author : Hannah Pearcy | [email protected] . Last modified: 2023-06-05 00:21

Many people spend a large part of their working time at their desks and in front of their screens - especially designers and engineers. Sitting is the new smoking, is wisdom, because research shows time and time again that if you sit at the desk often and for a long time or even permanently, you are doing yourself and your health no good

"Our focus is therefore on an ergonomically optimal workplace," explains Simon Patrick Hausner, sales manager at Krieg, manufacturer of workplace systems. As a trained and IGR-certified ergonomics coach (see box), he wants to convey the right thoughts about CAD workplaces in companies. He not only takes into account the various standards and EU directives for the protection of employees, but also gives tips for ideal physical use in everyday work - for example for fitness exercises and the alternation between sitting and standing.

Picture gallery

Plus point of height adjustable tables

When sitting, especially with a rounded back, the spine and intervertebral discs are stressed twice as much as when standing upright. War is therefore increasingly offering height-adjustable work tables. In this way, the conditions for each employee can be set according to body size and grip space and even saved.

A load change between sitting and standing has a positive effect on muscles and joints and sustainably promotes relaxed work . In order for this to be done easily and with little conversion effort and thus also perceived by the employees, a motor drive makes sense for a comfortable, stepless height adjustment.

Ergonomics at the workplace

Pitstop software is reminiscent of regular breaks from screen work

High space requirement

Sufficient space and sufficient options that an employee has to accommodate his equipment and necessary inventory is an important basic requirement. A large screen or several monitors need their space without restricting the actual work surface. Hausner: "The screens are large these days, I see 27 inches and larger, because detailed drawings are created and discussed in the industries concerned."

Dossier and market overview ergonomics

Tips for more ergonomics in the workplace

In terms of ergonomics, there are a few things to consider:

• How big are the monitors and how many of them are on the desk?
• Are aspects such as visual distance and viewing angle taken into account with the display devices?
• How can we prevent disturbing reflections? Is something hiding, for example a window?
• What about lighting and lighting in the room?
• Which type of light comes from which direction and what are the illuminance levels?
• What is the indoor climate and acoustics like in the office?
• Which environmental stimuli could be disruptive?
• What about noise and radiation emissions?
• Where are computers, printers and other output and peripheral devices located: next to, below, on top of them - or in a separate room?
• Where do the keyboard and mouse and other input devices such as graphics tablets or digitizers have their place?
• Is there enough room to spread out plans?
• Do meetings and discussions take place at your own desk, and if so, with how many colleagues?

Storage shelves ensure a sensible order

Special shelves help to organize the organization at the desk in the sense of the lean idea : Wherever waste of resources and performance is to be reduced, the best possible self-organization is essential. "I often come to work and see how the CAD workplaces are literally packed," summarizes Hausner. Catalogs, face rolls and papers are stacked on the tables, just like utensils, bags and clothes. Mobile phones and tablets are charged here, food and drinks are set up, cables hanging around are not uncommon. “The workplace has to be free, without distractions and blockages. Only what is needed for value creation should be within reach."

Consciously integrate movement into everyday life

Printers, plotters and other EDP equipment in particular should never be directly at your desk - fine dust from the toner and heat development are relevant issues. Everything that is a little further away enables the employee to start moving. Get up, walk around, pick something up from further away - that is good for your health . Material, files and catalogs that you only need every now and then can be stowed away in cupboards, drawers and filing systems and quickly found again. Hausner: "Even if the lean principle can never be implemented 100%, a lot can be sorted and cleared well."

Ergonomics Coach: Ambassador for healthier work

What contributes to ergonomic improvement in production, manufacturing and office environments? How can companies ensure that employees stay healthy and motivated? And what convinces employees to take action themselves? The nationwide Institute for Health and Ergonomics (IGR), based in Nuremberg, deals with these and similar questions. The institution has set itself the task of promoting the topic of healthy working in companies and authorities and bringing it into the consciousness of people on a permanent basis. The area of education and training plays an outstanding role. Manufacturers of ergonomic products in particular are trained as multipliers and ambassadors. You can analyze situations with your customers even better in companies with their expanded advisory skills,assess and also act preventively. After intensive training and intensive exercises, theoretical and practical exams, the participants receive the certificate as an ergonomics coach.