Your 5-Item Checklist to Setup Your Computer Workstation

Ergonomics focuses on creating the best fit for you. Often, all it takes are some quick fixes to optimize your workstation for your comfort and safety.

By Linda Weitzel

I receive requests every day. They are for one or more items. An ergonomic chair. An ergonomic keyboard. An ergonomic mouse.

“A simple definition of ‘ergonomic’: Adjustable.” -- Linda Weitzel, senior ergonomist, Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability for Xerox
“A simple definition of ‘ergonomic’: Adjustable.” — Linda Weitzel, senior ergonomist, Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability for Xerox

“Ergonomic” is the word that runs through all of them. And a simple definition of the term is, in one word, “adjustable.”

However, there’s a twist.  Getting an ergonomic chair is only a starting point. Ergonomic is a label. These items are not automatically ergonomic. The adjustable features have to align with the user’s needs. Otherwise, the ergonomic chair is simply not ergonomic. It’s all about fitting the item to the user.

Anatomy of a Workstation

Many of us spend our day at an office workstation. We go to our space, where we perform the same actions, using the same muscles and maintaining the same posture. This routine may be a formula for physical stress.

Ergonomics focuses on your workstation and the strategies to prevent and reduce musculoskeletal disorders. These are injuries to muscles, tendons, nerves or other soft tissues caused or aggravated by patterns of usage. The good news is that there are simple and quick fixes.

Health and safety at Xerox

Environment, health, safety and sustainability at Xerox: Learn how we align our goals for the environment, health and safety in five key areas to make an impact across our value chain worldwide.

Three answers that help you and your employees avoid repetitive stress injury.

Ergonomics and workstations: More to know from ergonomist Linda Weitzel.

Here are 5 items for your computer workstation set-up checklist.

Chair: Position your chair so that your feet rest comfortably on the floor/footrest; your hips are at about a 90 degree angle with your thighs and roughly parallel to the floor. Set your armrests just under your elbow to support your arms without elevating your shoulders. The backrest should support your lumbar curve.

Keyboard: Put your keyboard directly in front of you and as close as possible to your body. The correct height: Under your hands with your shoulders relaxed, upper arms at your side and elbows bent 90 degrees or more.

Mouse: Keep your mouse next to and level with your keyboard. Did you know you can switch the button functions on a mouse? This helps left-handers. Click the “start” button, then go to control panel, select mouse options and, under the button tab, check “switch primary/secondary buttons.”

Monitor: Place your monitor directly in front of you at about an arm’s length away. Your eyes should be level with the top of the monitor. Avoid glare from light sources.

If you are using a laptop and don’t have a separate monitor, you should set the laptop on reams of paper (or some kind of platform) so that you achieve the proper height for the screen. (Eye level = top of monitor.) Use an external keyboard and mouse.

Telephone: Use a headset. It eliminates the awkward posture created by holding the headset between your ear and shoulder. As an alternative, if possible, use the telephone speaker function.

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7 Comments

  1. search engine July 9, 2014 -

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    • Gregory Pings July 10, 2014 -

      Hi Mila:

      I agree, provocative photos and engaging videos are always helpful, and much easier for readers to share. Your question reminds me of an article that I published on this blog in March. Neal Wolff, who has produced a number of great videos for Xerox, shared some advice on how to make truly great videos that cut through the clutter. And, yes, we included some examples that will knock your socks off.

      Here’s the article: Share Your Brand’s Story with High Impact Videos

      I’d love to know what you think.

  2. MomSheri September 22, 2014 -

    Thanks and I agree with you Linda; ergonomic is all about being adjustable. One that will let us move and work freely. I started thinking of ergonomics when I had slip disc in my C5/C6 few months ago. Right now, I am using Ergostyle Taskmate Go sit stand desk. It is perfect for me since I am able to move from sitting to standing position for comfortable prolonged working in front of a computer.

  3. Linda Weitzel September 23, 2014 -

    Thanks for the comments MomSheri – I am really glad that you found a good solution for your situation. I really like the sit to stand fixtures that allow you to alternate posture throughout the day – I had never seen the Taskmate option before, so thank you for sharing that with me. I wish you continued success as you recover from your injury.

    • MomSheri September 23, 2014 -

      Thank you, Linda.

  4. Paulette Mason April 29, 2016 -

    How can I set the Xerox printer where I can scan to it. Now it’s set up to a different printer and I can’t find where I can change the default setting.

    Thanks

    • Gregory Pings April 29, 2016 -

      To Paulette Mason: Sorry you’re having trouble with your printer. I asked some people who know about these things, and since we have so little information to go on, they recommend you use the Support Forum, or your local support centre.
      Best of luck!
      Greg

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