Texas Tech University

Ergonomic Solutions

Did you know that ergonomic positioning is crucial to your health and productivity? Being comfortable in the workspace is critical to having a safe and productive work day. Texas Tech Environmental Health and Safety offers free, on site ergonomics assessments and consultations to all Texas Tech employees. 

How to Practice Good Workspace Ergonomics

  • Try to keep elbows, hips, and knees at 90 degree angle
  • Sit up straight
  • Angle straight toward your work station
  • Take breaks often
  • Adjust your chair so that your feet are firmly on the ground
  • Minimize desk clutter to avoid unnatural angles
  • Place your computer screen 18-24 inches from your eyes

Easy Ergonomic Solutions

Problem Solution
Prolonged sitting, especially in only one posture
  • Apply greater work variety
  • Implement aggresive break schedule
  • Obtain a chair that supports posture change, through movement, size, or adjustability
  • Move phone and printer to the other side of the office to force standing or suggest standing when on the phone
Raised or tense shoulders
  • Lower work surface or keyboard
  • Lower chair armrest
  • Raise chair if foot contact with floor can be maintained
Forward Head Posture or Squinting
  • Lower monitor
  • Tilt the monitor back
  • Check monitor for image quality problems, character height, or monitor distance
  • Suggest consultation with Vision Specialist
Elbows Spayed out (shoulder abduction)
  • Lower work surface
  • Lower chair armrest
  • Bring chair armrest closer to body
Neck severely flexed downward
  • Tilt face of monitor back
  • Do not lay documents on a flat surface; use a document holder instead
  • Raise document on monitor to a comfortable height
  • Adjust posture
  • Check glasses for proper prescription
Prolonged hunched or elevated shoulder while holding phone
  • Obtain telephone headset
  • Obtain speakerphone
Twisted Torso
  • Rearrange work
  • Provide more knee space
  • Change to U-shaped work surface
  • Obtain swivel chair
Working with one or both arms "reaching" toward a mouse or keyboard
  • Bring keyboard closer to body
  • Add mouse pad or palm/forearm rest
Prolonged near focusing throughout the day with few far focusing opportunities
  • Move monitor back as far as possible
  • Rearrange space to provide distance view
  • Suggest taking micro breaks for vision - look away from the screen for 15-20 seconds every 30 minutes

Workplace Improvement Recommendations 

  • Sit-to-stand desktop
  • Alternative desk chairs
  • Support bars for computer monitors
  • Foot and wrist rests
  • Shock absorbing mats
  • Document holders
  • Adequate lighting and placement to avoid screen glare

More Ergonomics Information

Environmental Health & Safety

© 2024  Texas Tech UniversityOct 19, 2021  8:54 AM