Ergoweb- The Place for Ergonomics
Ergobuyer
Checklists are not very good diagnostic tools for ergonomic problems, however, they can be useful teaching tools to help you learn about some factors to consider when performing a workstation evaluation.
The Office-ergo checklist this is our own tool created by Chris Grant and shown in the table below on this page
Working Safely with Video Display Terminals and OSHA VDT Checklist This web site discusses basic health effects of computer use, lighting, and workstation set up. It has a nice section on alternative keyboard/ monitor/ document arrangements based on your type of work and has a Yes/ No checklist at the end of the document.
DSE- Display Screen Equipment checklist (pdf). This is a version of the checklist commonly used throughout the European Union and in several SE Asian countries. The DSE asks about the monitor, keyboard/ mouse, software, desk/chair, posture, work environment, rest breaks and eyesight. See our Links & Resources page to learn more about the DSE regulations spelled out in the EU Directive No 90/270/EEC
RULA- Rapid Upper Limb Assessment at Cornell Ergo. RULA is a postural targeting method for estimating the risks of work-related upper limb disorders. A RULA assessment gives a quick and systematic assessment of the postural risks to a worker.
REBA- Rapid Entire Body Assessment at Cornell Ergo. REBA is a postural targeting method for estimating the risks of work-related entire body disorders. A REBA assessment gives a quick and systematic assessment of the complete body postural risks to a worker.
| Things to look for | Possible solutions, (depending on further analysis) |
| Chair backrest not used for long periods | Check chair fit, especially seat pan depth and height
Check leg room Check monitor distance and character height Habit training |
| Different viewed objects (screen, documents) at different distances from the eyes | Use document stand or otherwise equalize distances to within about 10 cm (4″) if rapid viewing changes are required |
| Elbow flexed for long periods using the telephone | Telephone headset
Speakerphone |
| Elbow or forearm resting for long periods on hard or shrp worksurface, chair armrests | Pad or round surfaces, corners, and armrests
Replace armrests Telephone headset Habit training |
| Elbows splayed out (shoulder abduction) | Lower worksurface
Lower chair armrests Bring chair armrests in closer Awareness and habit training |
| Eyestrain complaints | Check all aspects of visual environment
Suggest consultation with vision specialist |
| Feet dangling, not well supported, or a posture which seems to put pressure on the backs of the thighs | Lower chair
Lower worksurface Habit training Foot rest (last resort) |
| Forceful keying, key pounding | Habit training
Light-touch keyboard |
| Forward head posture (peering) or squinting | Lower monitor
Tilt monitor back Check for monitor image quality problems, character height or monitor distance Suggest consultation with vision specialist |
| Frequent or prolonged leaning or reaching | Rearrange work
Mouse pad, palm or forearm rest Bring mouse and keyboard closer to body |
| Hands held actively over the keyboard during keying pauses | Habit training
Palm or forearm rest |
| Light sources that can be seen by the worker | Cover or shield light sources
Rearrange work arena Lower other viewed objects to lower field of view |
| Lumbar back area not supported | Lumbar cushion
Backrest height and tilt Check chair fit, especially backrest/lumbar height |
| Monitor closer than approximately 65 cm (25″) | Push monitor back (enlarge font size)
Habit training for reclining Computer glasses Bring keyboard forward, possibly with a keyboard tray |
| Monitor image dim, fuzzy, flickery, small, or otherwise difficult to read | Upgrade monitor
Use software to enlarge image |
| Neck extended backwards, head tilted back, even slightly | Lower monitor; Remove CPU from under monitor
Lower monitor; Remove tilt-swivel base from monitor (leave ventilation space) Check for bifocals and suggest full-frame “computer glasses” prescription |
| Neck severely flexed (downward) | Tilt face of monitor back
Tilt document – do not lay flat on worksurface Raise document or monitor to a comfortable height Adjust posture Habit retraining Check glasses for proper prescription |
| Prolonged hunched or elevated shoulder while holding the phone | Telephone headset
Speakerphone |
| Prolonged mouse use | Greater work variety
Aggressive break schedule Alternate hands Alternative pointing devices Arm support, including small table Mouse close to body (extended keyboard tray) Learn keystroke shortcuts for menus |
| Prolonged near focusing throughout the day with few far-focusing opportunities | Move monitor back as far as possible
Habit training Rearrange space to provide distance view Suggest looking into distance for 30 seconds every 30 minutes |
| Prolonged sitting, especially in only one posture | Greater work variety
Aggressive break schedule Chair that supports posture change, through movement, size, or easy adjustability Habit training Move phone and printer to the other side of the office to force standing, or suggest standing when on phone Check chair fit Monitor in-out mechanism Sit-stand worksurface |
| Raised or tensed shoulders | Habit or tension training
Lower worksurface or keyboard Lower chair armrests Raise chair, if foot contact with the floor can be maintained |
| Rapid, sustained, or prolonged keying | Greater work variety
Aggressive break schedule Reduce overtime |
| Reflected glare on the screen | Shield light sources
Shade screen Glare screen Move monitor so light enter from side angle, not back Do NOT tip monitor down Lower light levels Move light sources |
| Screen or documents not oriented perpendicular to the line of sight (tipped back slightly is even better) | Change monitor, document stand angle |
| Shiny, low-contrast, or small-print documents | Improve lighting on documents if documents cannot be changed |
| Significant amounts of hand stapling, punching, lifting, opening mail, or other forceful exertions, especially combined with awkward postures | Mechanical aids, such as electric stapler or punch
Reduce size of lifted loads Bring heavy loads close to the body, at a medium height Substitute sliding (worksurface) or wheeling (floor) Sharpen letter openers |
| Too much contrast between screen and surroundings or document; worker feels relief when bright areas are shielded | Lower ambient light levels
Turn off, reposition, or dim task lights Block offending light sources Change screen polarity to black on white |
| Twisted torso | Rearrange work
Provide more knee space U-shaped worksurface layout Swivel chair |
| Twisting the head to the side | Bring viewed item closer to centerline of view |
| Very bright ambient lighting (above 500 lux or 50 fc) or shadowed areas caused by over-illumination | Lower ambient light levels to 200-500 lux (20-50 fc) and use task lights |
| Working with one or both arms “reaching” toward a mouse or keyboard | Bring keyboard closer to body
Mouse pad, palm or forearm rest Bring mouse closer to keyboard |
| Wrists bent back (extended) or forward (flexed) for prolonged periods | Habit training
Palm rest Lower, raise, or change slope of the keyboard |
| Wrists bent to the sides when using side key | Habit training
Keyboard with more accessible keys or split keyboard design |
| Wrists or palms resting for long periods on hard or sharp keyboard or work surfaces | Habit training
Palm rest Padded or rounded surfaces, corners |