Ergonomics in the office: how we set up workspaces

All jobs carry a few risks for employees. Our bodies are designed to be in motion, so when we spend too many hours sitting, as is the case with office jobs, we end up suffering from ailments and health problems.

Thus, ergonomics seeks to find a comfortable office environment for our bodies, adapting the furniture and our work tools to our body postures.

Ailments caused by the absence of ergonomics in the office

When there is no ergonomics in the office or ergonomic spaces have not been designed, pathologies and health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle begin to appear:

• Back pain from sitting for too many hours.
• Discomfort in the eyes due to spending too many hours with screens or without natural light.
• Spread of viruses and bacteria due to poorly ventilated office spaces.
• Pain in hands and wrists
• Bad posture due to poorly designed chairs or desks.

In this way, office ergonomics focuses on the furniture, tools and environment of workspaces, so that each of them is adapted to the worker, thus reducing the ailments and discomfort resulting from office work and, therefore, improving the comfort and productivity of workers.

It is important to focus on the following:

1. The desk.
2. The office chair.
3. The arrangement of the computer.
4. Distance from the screen.
5. Position of the mouse and the telephone.
6. Working space: lighting, temperature and ventilation.

How to improve ergonomics in the office?

Workstations should be adapted to the height of each employee. In this way, we generate greater comfort for the worker during the hours he or she spends sitting in front of a computer screen.

1. Office chairs

The desk or office chair is an essential element to prevent bad posture, contractures and back pain. Thus, an ergonomic chair should:

• Have adjustable backrests and tilt to adapt to the height and posture of the worker.
• Have rounded edges and corners.
• Have adaptable armrests.
• The seat should swivel.
• The upholstery should be comfortable, allowing air to pass through and preventing humidity.

2. Worktables

Another essential piece of furniture in the office is the desk. Thus, an ergonomic desk should:

• Fit the height of the desk chair.
• The desk should be at elbow height.
• The table should be large, in a soft colour and with enough space to work comfortably.

3. Workspace

We understand that an ergonomic work environment is one that is correctly adapted to the workers. Elements that we do not give much importance to, such as light, temperature or ventilation, have an influence on our health when we work 8 to 10 hours a day in such an environment.

Thus, an ergonomic workspace should comply with the following:

• The workspaces should be bright to avoid straining the eyes while working.
• Soft, preferably natural light that avoids glare.
• The temperature in the office should be between 21º-24º (although you can adapt it to your needs).
• Spaces should be ventilated. This has become even more important in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Office spaces should comply with the minimum safe distance between workers, have an adequate ventilation system and be disinfected daily in areas such as desks, keyboards and office chairs.
• Offices should be spaces where workers can concentrate, avoiding a noisy environment.

At Ibercenter we start from these premises, which is why both office and coworking space rentals include ergonomic furniture. Visit our facilities in Azca, Gran Vía and Velázquez and see for yourself.

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