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Guide to Setting Up Office Work Stations

Strategies to create workstations that promote productivity and efficiency

By Jenni Simcoe, Writer


You can’t expect to create comfortable, productive and efficient workstations simply by heading to the nearest office superstore and buying whichever desks, chairs and computers happen to be on sale. Setting up office workstations that keep employees motivated, productive and happy begins with planning — something that should begin when you’re looking for office space.

Before you buy, calculate how many employees will be working in the space and what tasks they‘ll be performing in order to know the square footage your office will require. Set up workstations with these items in mind:

  1. What tasks will this person perform on a daily basis?
  2. What kind of storage will each person need?
  3. What tasks can be assigned to common areas?
  4. What office machinery needs to be nearby?
  5. Is cabling and wiring adequate?
  6. Are there any city or county code requirements or permits required?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Create and stick with your budget

A budget will help you determine whether you should buy or lease furnishings and how much you can spend per station.
I recommend: Register to access free workstation planning tools, including a budget worksheet, and get a free estimate from maxonfurniture.com.

Consider lighting and electricity

Consider all of your layout logistics including electrical and lighting. One of your main concerns should be avoiding excessive lighting and glare on computer monitors, which can lead to eyestrain and headaches. Having adequate electrical outlets is essential to keep your business humming.
I recommend: Review lighting suggestions to reduce glare from the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Office Space Planners offers a free space planning checklist that includes tips on cabling and wiring.

Create your layout

With the rising costs of office space, workstations are getting squeezed into smaller areas. Map out your floor plan in advance to know how large your desks, storage cabinets, file cabinets and office machinery can be.
I recommend: Create a professional floor plan using drag-and-drop technology in SmartDraw software. Or design your own modern workstations with the Ikea Space Planner. Plan for every detail including common task workstations and storage by considering tips from officebydesign.com.

Go ergonomic

Make employees comfortable and avoid costly repetitive stress injuries by setting up workstations with ergonomics in mind.
I recommend: Check out OSHA recommendations and charts for basic computer workstation design elements you should consider as well as a purchasing guide checklist. Shop for adjustable height desks at Ergopro.com and complete ergonomic workstation supplies at ergostoreonline.com.

Choose cubicles or open spaces

"Dilbert" cartoons and the movie "Office Space" poked fun at cubicle workstations, but they do serve a purpose in offices that require a measure of noise control and privacy.
I recommend: Determine if cubicle workstations or an open floor plan work best for your company by taking a quiz at Builder.com. Shop for new and used affordable cubicle furniture at CubeSolutions.com.

Rely on professionals

Many office furniture manufacturers and dealers offer workstation space planning and project management so you can concentrate on running your business.
I recommend: Office Space Planners and My Office Planning Group offer full-service project planning for designing workstations.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Save money and space by setting up common task stations such as light tables or drafting tables in the office.
  • Plan for growth and set up extra workstations. You'll save money by purchasing or leasing all workstation furniture at one time and you won't disrupt productivity by adding workstations as you go.
  • Before you purchase computer systems, consider the amount of space they'll require. Opt for flat screen monitors when possible to save space.
  • Computers, printers, phones and desktop accessories take up space, so you need to make sure to leave desktop room for people to work in each workstation.

The official source of Setting Up Office Work Stations is
the Workstation Furniture page at Business.com

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Recommended Solution Providers

Everything Office Furniture: Workstations
Everything Office Furniture offers a wide selection of furniture, a buyer's guide and volume discounts.

3M: Ergonomics
3m offers ergonomic office equipment. This site has an evaluation form as well.

Usernomics: Ergonomic Consultants
Usernomics will help you set up your office according to ergonomic principles. They offer training and resources on ergonomics as well.

Furniture Buzz: Office Furniture
Furniture Buzz offers a wide variety of office furniture.

Legare Furniture: Office Furniture
Legare' offers eco-friendly wood office and media furniture at reasonable prices.

Best Sites to Learn More

Cornell University: Ergonomics Web
Cornell University has collected a vast set of resources that will help any business set up office work stations that will promote productivity as well as employee well-being.

Ergoweb: Ergonomic resources
Ergoweb has many useful resources that will aid business owners set up office work stations. Includes information on government regulations.

OSHA: Computer Workshations
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration offers a guide to creating a proper work station.

Allbusiness.com: Buyers Guide to Office Furniture
This guide offers advice on determining your furniture needs and what to buy when you are setting up an office.

Best Blogs and Forums

Ergoweb: Discussion Forums
This public discussion forum is very active and has a variety of threads dealing with everything from proper chair height to news about ergonomics.

Usernomics: Blog
This active blog provides news and information about ergonomics.



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