The ergonomic workplace
The essence of an ergonomic workplace, is that you adapt your workplace to suit your work and body. This allows you to increase your productivity while minimising the strain on your constitution. A well-designed workplace can reduce the strain on your body by up to 30% (Robertson et al., 2009).
But how do you create a truly ergonomic workplace? Naturally, it is important to have the right products to furnish your workplace. The right office chair and monitor arm, for example, make it a lot easier to sit in the right position. But it is also especially important that you use the products in the right ways. How? You can find out here.
Before you continue...
Ergonomics is not an exact science. Views on what is truly ergonomic differ between countries, but also between ergonomists. For instance, some studies state that the top of your screen should align with your eye level to reduce the strain on your neck and shoulders (Burgess et al., 1999). While, on the contrary, other studies claim that your screen should be slightly below eye level (15 to 20 degrees), so that your eyes need to be less open (Hedge, 2016). Also, your build obviously makes a difference, if you have longer legs or shorter arms, you will have to adjust your posture accordingly to work in a truly ergonomic way (Grandjean, 1971). It is therefore simply impossible to follow every ergonomic guideline, as they can get in each other's way. The important thing is to adopt a working posture that best supports your body and adapts to your specific needs.
So when we talk about ergonomics and its guidelines, we are not talking about the absolute truth. The good news is that Dataflex's products are suitable for all scenarios and are adjustable to suit your needs. The best working position is next, and that's exactly where the right accessories help!
The golden triangle
To create a good ergonomic workplace, you need at least the 3 main ingredients: a well-adjustable office chair, a height-adjustable desk and a dynamic monitor arm. Together, they form the ‘golden triangle’. Only when each of these elements is properly coordinated with the other two, you will have a balanced ergonomic workplace that contributes to optimal posture and less physical strain.
When these elements are properly aligned, your body automatically stays in a natural and relaxed position. Your head, neck and back do not have to constantly compensate, ensuring that you can work comfortably and efficiently throughout the day. With a properly adjusted chair, desk and monitor arm, you can concentrate better, without your body getting tired unnoticed.
Sit like this
It sounds so easy: sitting. You do it every day, so what could be better about it? It will surprise you. The right sitting position will not only make you more comfortable, it will also make you less tired and more productive (Oguns, 2023). And this is how you get it:
- Adjust the height of your chair so that, when your feet are flat on the floor, your knees are at an angle of between 90 and 110 degrees
- Adjust your seat depth so that about a fist fits between the inside of your knee and the chair
- Provide lumbar support
- If your desk is adjustable in height, make sure your elbows can rest at a 90-degree angle on the arm rests and wrists on your desktop, so that your shoulders are relaxed
- Adjust your monitor arm so that the top of the screen is at eye level
- Place the screen about 1 arm's length away, to reduce eye strain (Anshel, 2007)
- Tilt the screen slightly (10-20 degrees) for a fine viewing angle
- Place your keyboard and mouse side by side 10 - 15 cm from the edge of the desk
A handy reminder! Download our practical seating instruction with handy tips here. So you will soon be sitting well again.
An ergonomic monitor arm
When you want to work ergonomically, a high-quality monitor arm is indispensable. Because you can adjust the height, depth and angle of your screen, a monitor arm is the ultimate tool for sitting correctly. When adjusted correctly, a monitor arm promotes a neutral (and thus ergonomic) body posture.
The flexibility of a monitor arm also allows you to adjust your screen position according to your tasks for the day. And it makes a monitor arm ideal for use in flexible workstations.
So a monitor arm ensures that you are not sitting on the edge of your chair and hanging off your desk. By easily positioning the monitor at the right height and ideal viewing distance, you can make the most of the support provided by your chair. In fact, it is often the position of the monitor that dictates how you sit during the day. The easier it is to adjust, the quicker you tend to position it correctly.
Because good monitor arms can be mounted in various ways (with a clamp, bolt or on the wall, for example), a monitor arm can actually always be placed.
Additional resources
Besides the ‘golden triangle’, there are of course more products to help you work ergonomically. All these aids have the same purpose: to help you. Which aids are best suited to you depends on your personal situation and what kind of work you do. We will be happy to advise you on the various options.
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