At Desk Office we spend a lot of time talking to our customers, helping them to find the perfect office desk to suit their tastes and requirements. But once our competitively priced office desks are delivered, there’s still a little more work to be done to ensure that the desk really does suit the user.
Whilst we supply a wide range of office desks and office chairs with ergonomic features, it’s up to our customers to make all the relevant adjustments once the desk or chair is in situ. Remember, working on paper and working at a keyboard require different desk and chair heights for optimum working posture, so it’s imperative that you choose your desk and office chair with great consideration!
So for your benefit, in addition to your DSE assessment, here are a few tips to help you find the best working position and to get the most out of working from your brand new office desk:
1. Sit upright at your office desk in a relatively relaxed position with shoulders and elbows free of any tension. Make sure your back is making contact with the lumbar support and shoulder support areas of your office chair. Your chin should not stick out and should be tucked in very slightly to reduce strain to your neck and shoulders.
2. Make sure that your ears, shoulders, elbows and hip bones align vertically on both sides. You shouldn’t be slouched to one side – this is common in computer operators who use a mouse. Check that your armrests are in the correct position and do not impede your access to your computer keyboard or working area on your desk. Consider removing the armrests is they are too low as they can encourage you to slump.
3. Next, adjust your seat height and/or desk height so that the underside of your elbow can rest at desk height when it is in the ‘neutral’ position in alignment vertically under your shoulder. Your back should remain in a neutral natural ‘S’ position rather than a stooped ‘C’ position – you may need to adjust your seat pan backwards or forwards, upwards or downwards to ensure that your lumbar region and small of your back is upright, relaxed and in alignment.
4. Adjust your monitor height as per your DSE assessment guidelines. Your eye line with the monitor should allow you to keep your head looking straight ahead, whilst your eyes will look at a very slight downward angle.
5. Make sure you have enough room under your desk to move around comfortably, and to avoid contorting or sitting askew. Your legs should be squarely placed in front of you and you might require a footrest to reduce or increase pressure on the back of the thighs accordingly.
There are other elements that you need to be aware of to achieve the most healthy and productive way of working – wrist positioning, lighting, air quality and monitor quality are all aspects of the work environment that need to be considered via your DSE assessment. In some cases, special equipment and extra steps may need to be taken to ensure that you’re working in the safest and most appropriate way.
So whilst Desk Office can find you the most stylish and cost-efficient office desks to work with, it’s up to you, our customers, to make them the safest and most productive office desks you’ve ever invested in!