Ergonomic tools, indispensable in a modern working environment.
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Working ergonomically becomes a lot easier with the right tools. They not only help you sit more comfortably, but also promote your health and reduce absenteeism. But what do you need to work ergonomically? We are happy to help. Below, we explain the 10 most common ergonomic aids. And above all, what the advantages of the different ergonomic products are, so that you know what the right set-up is for your workplace.
With a monitor arm, you can easily position your monitor(s) at the ideal viewing height and distance, allowing you to adopt a better posture: snug in your chair, shoulders relaxed and your head straight above your body. A monitor arm allows the monitor to float above your desktop, thus creating considerably more desk space. It also offers more flexibility. For example, you can more easily show something to a colleague standing next to you.
Benefits:
Facilitates correct use of chair and desk
Reduces eye strain or neck, shoulder or back complaints
Provides more space and comfort
What to look out for when buying?
A good monitor arm is easily adjustable in both height and depth, is stable and made of high-quality materials and components. Cheaper monitor arms, for instance, often have a (gas) spring that breaks easily and are often difficult to install or adjust.
With a laptop, the least ergonomic product in the working environment, the fixed distance between the screen and keyboard is far too small. So you are automatically hunched over the laptop. With a laptop stand or notebook riser, you can raise your screen to the right height so you can adopt a healthier posture. Ideally, the top of your screen should be set at eye level. With a laptop stand, always use a separate keyboard and mouse and, where possible, a second monitor if you need to work for more than 2-3 consecutive hours.
Benefits:
Reduces tension in neck, shoulders and back
Improves viewing height and distance to the screen
No more double chin when video calling
What to look out for when buying?
Make sure the laptop stand is stable and provides enough support for the laptop. The stand should be adjustable and able to raise the screen by at least 20cm. Not all laptops can unfold completely, so check how the riser works (tilt only or lift and tilt).
Office chair
One of the most logical ergonomic tools is the office chair. Understandably, considering your whole body rests on the chair, it also has the biggest impact on your health. Especially if you sit incorrectly! A good ergonomic office chair is an important part of a good ergonomic workplace.
For chairs, a number of standards have emerged in Europe that determine what a good chair should meet. Among other things, these stipulate that your seat height and depth should be adjustable, the backrest should be able to tilt and your armrests should be height-adjustable.
Benefits:
Back support
Relieves pressure on the body
Relieves pressure on arms and shoulders
What to look out for when buying?
Does the chair comply with the NEN EN 1335 standard? Check whether all adjustment options are easy to find and operate. See how quickly you can find a comfortable sitting position. Is the chair easy to clean?
Sit/stand desk
A truly healthy workplace has a height-adjustable desk that can be used for both sitting and standing work. This also means the desk can always be adjusted to suit the person using it. A sit/stand desk makes it possible to work more actively and dynamically. This has many advantages both physically and mentally. We recommend everyone to work standing up regularly.
Benefits:
Help improve posture
Suitable for multiple users
Good for circulation, concentration and productivity
What to look out for when buying?
Make sure you have enough working space, on average (WxD)160x80cm is fine. Cable ducts are also handy so that all cables can be neatly concealed. A bench, where people sit opposite each other, can often be fitted with an acoustic partition. No superfluous luxury in open environments.
Less known, but indispensable
There are ergonomic tools that may not immediately come to mind when we talk about products that can help you work more ergonomically, that can nevertheless be very helpful. Besides office chairs, desks, monitor arms and laptop stands, there are numerous products that can help you get through your working day more healthily. Often, these aids specialise on a specific (body) part. It is therefore a good idea to check what is important in your (or your company's) specific situation.
A document holder or concept holder places your documents at a comfortable viewing angle, in line with your monitor. This ensures that this viewing distance is the same as that of your screen. This reduces the need for your eyes to refocus and keeps your neck in a relaxed position. So you no longer have to bend forward or continuously turn your neck from screen to document as you do when a document is on your desk.
Benefits:
Less tired eyes
Less tension in your neck and shoulders
More desk space
What to look out for when buying?
A good document holder is freely movable, adjustable at an angle, stable and can hold at least 2 x A4 documents side by side. It is also handy to have space underneath the document holder so that you can place your note pad underneath if you want to take notes.
A footrest, when for example the desk or chair are too high, mainly helps to put your knees and hips in the right position. When they are at the right angle, your back is relieved and you adopt a better posture more easily. It also improves blood circulation in your legs, making you less likely to get tired. Most footrests also offer a tilt function that supports a more active posture.
Advantages:
Relieves strain on the back
Improved blood circulation in the legs
Less pressure on the hips
What to look out for when buying?
Footrests come in all shapes and sizes. Adjustable footrests are more comfortable than fixed ones. Pay attention to the width of the support, if your feet are placed close together it can pinch your legs, among other things, and make blood circulation worse.
Compact keyboard
The large keyboards that come with new computers are often not very ergonomic. An ergonomic or compact keyboard creates a more ‘centred’ workstation. The thin design, flat keys and absence of extra digits (numeric part) on the right side result in a better body posture. This allows you to keep your arms better alongside your body and to operate the mouse without having to reach around the numeric part. Thanks to the keyboard's thinness, you do not have to bend your wrists upwards like with traditional, thicker keyboards. Ergonomic keyboards sometimes have a V-shape, so that both your elbows and hands point slightly inwards: a much more natural position that reduces the risk of (especially RSI) complaints.
Advantages:
Neutral position of arms, wrists and hands
Less risk of RSI due to flat design and low wrist tension
More desk space
What to look out for when buying?
Make sure your new keyboard supports your language. There are also keyboards with built-in mouse that can be operated with the thumb. A very convenient two-in-one solution.
Vertical mouse
The difference between an ergonomic or vertical mouse and a traditional mouse is the perfect example of ergonomics in ergonomic products. The design of a traditional mouse is purely mass-oriented. Cheap and fine for the short term. Like keyboards, these mice often come standard with the computer. In contrast, a vertical mouse, like any other ergonomic product, takes into account ease of use, user behaviour, and prevents the repetition of incorrect arm and hand positions that can cause complaints etc.
Benefits:
Hand, wrist and forearm in natural position
Less risk of strain (mouse arm)
Less fatigue in the arm
What to look out for when buying?
Because these vertical mice are an ergonomic alternative, they often come in different sizes. A mouse should fit properly just like a glove. In addition, using these mice takes some getting used to, but is worth it for many.
Help from an unexpected source
In addition to ergonomic tools that focus sec on your body, there are also products we class under ergonomics that you might not expect. Often, these are products that focus more on mental ergonomics, creating calm or promoting ease. We highlight two of the most important ones below.
Your phone, laptop, tablet, wireless headset... today there are plenty of devices that you use daily at your workplace. What these devices have in common is that they all need to be charged. And then there is nothing more annoying than having to search for a USB charger or power point under your desk. Easily accessible power points on, in or under the desk offer a solution here. It also prevents a tangle of cables in the workplace.
Advantages:
Power at your fingertips, including your devices
Professional solutions are safer
Less chance of tripping hazards or accidents
What to look out for when buying?
Get good advice. In particular, there is a lot of difference in the quality of USB chargers. Which connectors (USB-A or C) do you need and what wattage (voltage X ampere) can the chargers deliver? Cheaper (fast) chargers can damage your equipment or cause short circuits!
Organising cables neatly has surprising benefits. It makes your workplace tidier and cleaner, which will give you more peace of mind. As a result, you will be able to work more productively and with greater concentration. In addition, neatly stowed cables are a lot safer in the workplace. This also makes equipment maintenance easier. And the right cable management will lead to less wear and tear and strain on your equipment.
Advantages:
Safer to use
Less dust and easier to clean
Less wear and tear and damage to equipment
What to look out for when buying?
Ease of use and installation speed are important. If a cable needs to be replaced, it should be done as efficiently as possible to minimise downtime. So good cable management should keep your cables tidy and accessible.
Curious to know more?
Have you become curious about the ideal ergonomic solution for your company? We would be happy to advise you.
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