Choosing the Right Equipment

There has been a proliferation of solutions in recent years (and months) as the entire office furniture industry is getting on board to the Active Working principles.

Users need to understand that “Desk Risers” and other equipment that sit on the desktop serve a positive purpose but have limitations. Desk Risers seem to be a growing trend and are easy to add and certainly allow for both sitting and standing to take place, if the proper adjustments cannot be made to allow for ideal hand working height for both sitting and standing, awkward postures may develop and risk for discomfort and fatigue increased.

For example, consider your shoe size. If you wear a size 9 shoe and were asked to wear a size 12 or larger and then run a marathon, it is likely you would wonder why you could not wear the size that fits your foot. The same is true for a workstation/table that is too high or low, it just does not fit. Adjusting a table or workstation to the correct height is much like getting a shoe that fits your foot. It is important to also mention that an anti-fatigue or comfort mat will significantly reduce the stain on your feet whilst standing and will encourage you to move more – so definitely worth considering.

Many ergonomists would suggest that an electric, pneumatic, counterbalance or electric sit-stand desk may be the most ideal option for height adjustability. Although initially expensive, these do not create ergonomic hazards since they are adjustable to fit almost everyone who uses the table for years down the line. (Crank tables are not recommended for use when the goal is to alternate between sitting and standing, because these require too many cranks to adjust and introduce a risk to the shoulder, arm, hand and wrist due to the number of cranks. Crank tables typically require approximately 10 cranks per 1 inch of adjustment. To adjust every hour as recommended, this will require approximately 100-160 cranks to adjust from sitting to standing, and vice versa, each time postures change. Over an eight-hour day, this is likely more than 400 cranks per day, which is far too many repetitions, considering the force to turn the crank.

Ensure that the table is adjusted correctly. Too often, many of us wait until there is pain or discomfort before we make needed changes to our workstation setup. Rather than wait for discomfort, be proactive and schedule an ergonomic evaluation to quantify your risk for injury and ensure that the workstation is set up in the best way possible.