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Weigh the benefits of ergonomic furniture

Beneficial to employees and employers who spend hours at desks and computers, ergonomic office chairs and other ergonomic business furniture help relieve stress and tiredness in joints and muscles. The results are fewer injuries, which then translates into fewer sick days, fewer workers compensation claims, more productivity and improved motivation by workers comfortable in an environment conducive to work. Ergonomic office and computer furniture will help prevent injuries caused by forceful, repetitive or prolonged exertion of hands and prolonged awkward postures. Besides proper posture and positioning of hands, ergo office chairs and computer chairs assist in promoting proper blood circulation/flow in the users' legs.

I recommend: Don't sacrifice looks to get the comfort and benefits of ergonomic chairs. Visit CSN Office Furniture to view the huge selection of office, desk and task chairs with ultra-modern and contemporary styles. Find companies like OfficeDesigns.com that let you compare ergonomic products side by side, making it easier to get the best product for your money.

Grasp the principles and theories behind ergonomic furniture

Ergonomic furniture does make a difference because designers and manufacturers build furniture that equalizes a worker's physical capacity and the demands of the job or task. They believe that when workers need muscular force to accomplish tasks while using ergonomic furniture, they'll be able to do so with the largest appropriate muscle groups. Forefront in their minds is the principle of performing work activities with the lease amount of joint strain. Adjustable ergonomic furniture is best, so employees can customize their furniture for the greatest comfort, and ability to change positions during the workday.

I recommend: Always research prior to buying office furniture. Start with companies that understand ergonomic principles like RightAngle Ergonomic Products. When setting up any computer stations, follow the 12 steps that Ergo In Demand adapted from Cornell University studies.

Find ergonomic furniture and office supplies

Ergonomic desk chairs, office chairs and computer chairs make excellent investments for your company because of all their benefits. Look for chairs with pneumatic height adjustment, adjustable height arms and arm width, independently adjustable and lockable seats, back tilts and adjustable lumbar support and proper seat depth. Adjustable-height desks make a great addition when multiple people share a desk. Footrests make ergonomic sense for non-adjustable height desks or when users don't have ergonomic seating. Task lighting makes work easy on the eyes, and accessories like an ergonomic mouse and keyboard keep hands/wrists free from injury and from tiring too quickly.

I recommend: Humanscale, a leading manufacturer of ergonomic office products, creates products that marry function and aesthetics with ease of use. Look for ergonomic office supplies, furniture and accessories at Ergonomic Resources. For adjustable desks, check out the selection of interactive desks from biomorph.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take ergonomic office furniture basics a step further with custom-made furniture. Designers consider user height, weight, gender, right or left-handedness and tasks performed before building furniture.

Guide to Essential Office Ergonomics

Prevent wear and tear on your most valuable assets

By Toni Klym McLellan, Freelance Writer & Editor, Toni Writes

Proper office ergonomics are essential to prevent:

1. Repetitive stress injuries caused by doing the same task repeatedly.
2. Chronic pain from poorly designed and/or positioned equipment.
3. Tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain, and other chronic injuries often requiring long-term medical treatment and therapy.
4. Increased sick days due to injuries or stress.
5. Increased health insurance costs to offset chronic pain or stressors.

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Get the proper education

Ergonomics is big business: Many resources and consultants exist to help you pain-proof your workplace. Let them show you and your staff how to work safely, through online education on on-site visits.

I recommend: Ergonomics consultant firm Ankrum Associates created an office ergonomics training Web site addressing common problems and solutions, including a handy checklist to troubleshoot problems. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has ergonomics etools, including another troubleshooting checklist. Find a qualified professional ergonomics consultant at the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics web site. Ergoweb offers both on-site and computer-based ergonomics training.

Get the proper equipment

Knowing proper positioning to avoid repetitive stress and other injuries is vital. But this task is more difficult on poorly designed equipment. Know where to shop to get the most body-friendly gear.

I recommend: Healthy Computing created extensive buyer's guides for every office area. The "my workspace" section of the 3M Web site features an office evaluation, info on types of products and purchasing information.

If problems arise

While prevention is at the core of any ergonomic workplace, you or your employees may be experiencing pain without realizing its source. Learning common medical conditions associated with workplace ergonomics makes great business sense.

I recommend: The Healthy Computing lists causes of discomfort, conditions and treatments, and basic preventative exercises. A physical therapist is trained to analyze and treat chronic pain or injuries; find one through the American Physical Therapy Association (but get a medical exam and insurance referral first).

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Seek referrals for any ergonomics consultants before hiring.
• •  Ask your health insurance provider if they offer any discounts for purchasing ergonomic office equipment or providing ergonomics training to employees.
• •  Many retailers will offer discounts if you purchase office equipment in bulk – ergonomic equipment is no different, so ask about special offers or discounts if you purchase for your entire office.
• •  More expensive doesn't equal better — sometimes mid-range and even discount products garner reviews comparable to more expensive ones.
• •  Read current reviews to keep abreast of new products and technologies.

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Remember that you get what you pay for with ergonomic office chairs

Ergonomic desk chairs, computer chairs or task chairs vary greatly in price, and don't assume you've found a great ergonomic chair deal when you come across a $99 chair at an office supply store. The more ergonomic features you add -- like height, arm and seat adjustments, custom padding/upholstery and others -- the more the chair will cost. The manufacturer also figures into the cost. Top-of-the-line chairs from names like Humanscale, HON, BodyBilt and Steelcase range from $250 for task/computer chairs to over $2,000 for executive chairs. If the prices still seem too high, save money by purchasing quality used chairs.

I recommend: Get a feel for pricing on specific ergonomic chairs from the selection available at UltimateBackStore. Get a feel for pricing on specific ergonomic chairs from the selection at UltimateBackStore. Conklin Office Furniture offers tips for buying office chairs, and also sells top-quality ergo office chairs and other furniture.

Invest in adjustable ergonomic office furniture for more productive employees

Pricing and costs of ergonomic office furniture range from $200 to more than $3,000, depending on your needs. Like chairs, ergonomic computer furniture, workstations and desks incorporate features like adjustable heights to help workers maintain proper posture and remain comfortable while working. Office employees typically spend work days tied to a desk, computer and chair. Ergonomically designed office furniture helps maximize productivity and efficiency. Take it a step further and organize work areas for convenience so employees are more efficient and productive, then the pricing and costs of ergonomic office furniture won't even be an issue. To reap the benefits of ergonomic furniture without all the expense, consider purchasing used furniture or leasing.

I recommend: Check out pricing for ergonomic office computer furniture, workstations, desks and work tables at Ergoboy.com. Whether your budget's tight, you've hired temporary employees or you're working on a special project, many situations lend themselves to leasing ergonomic furniture, so start your search at the Office Furniture Rental Alliance website.

Add ergonomic office supplies for a fully functional, ergonomic office environment

You can find reasonably priced accessories like footrests between $40 and $100, task lighting between $100 and $300 and copy holders between $15 and $80. While you can find ergonomic office supplies like pencil grips or pens at any office supply store and spend only a few dollars, you can also find companies that specialize in ergonomically designed pens and other supplies and spend anywhere from $2 to $50 or more.

I recommend: Rest your hands when reading books with one of the book or copy holders from Atlas. Visit The Human Solution to view the large selection of ergonomic office and workstation accessories. Purchase ergonomic pens, pencils and grips from The Writing Pen Store.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Search for ergonomic business furniture that comes with lifetime warranties on all but parts you'd expect to wear down like fabric or cylinders. Also ensure you're happy with a company's return policy -- at least 30 days.

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Ergonomics

Ergonomics is that science of designing work spaces to fit the needs of the worker. It is the study of ways to maximize productivity and decrease potential strain on a worker due to poor positioning at his or her workstation.

I recommend: Health, Environment & Work describes ergonomics in more detail.

Ergonomic chair

An ergonomic chair is one that allows for proper positioning when sitting. It helps to put the spine in a neutral alignment to avoid stress on your muscles and back. An ergonomic chair also allows adjustment of height and armrests for comfortable positioning.

I recommend: The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety defines an ergonomic chair and describes its features.

Height adjustable workstations

Height adjustable workstations are tables that allow for height adjustment to meet the needs of the worker. These workstations come in a variety of styles, but all have the same feature of height adjustability to help with proper positioning, whether sitting or standing.

I recommend: MCErgo.com provides examples of height adjustable workstations.

Ergonomic keyboard

Ergonomic keyboard trays are trays that attach to your desk or workstation. They hold the computer keyboard at a position that is comfortable for your wrist and forearms, allowing for good support and neutral positioning of your wrists to prevent injury.

I recommend: See the Blue Hen Office Furniture site for examples and descriptions of ergonomic keyboard trays.

Footrests

As part of ergonomic office furniture, the footrest serves an important purpose in allowing for proper positioning of your knees and hips. They let the feet rest comfortably while sitting so that your knees and hips stay in a 90-degree position for maximum function.

I recommend: The Human Solution provides examples of footrests for your workstation and describes how they are helpful.

Ergonomic mice

Ergonomic mice are computer mice that are designed with principles of positioning so as to decrease repetitive strain on your hands and wrists. Some ergonomic mice are vertical in position, which means your thumb rests on top.

I recommend: Ergo-items.com shows many types of ergonomic mice on its website, with descriptions of how they are ergonomically useful.