Home > Administrative Offices > Finance and Administration > Environmental and Occupational Safety > Ergonomics > Proper Workstation Posture

environmental and Occupational Safety

Introduction to Ergonomics

Within these pages you will find useful information about:

Proper Workstation Posture

3M Workspace Comfort Guide

One of the easiest ways to avoid bodily strain at a workstation is to keep your body in a neutral position.  Neutral positions include: standing with your head, neck, torso, and legs aligned vertically or sitting with your head, neck, and torso aligned vertically with legs at a 90 degree angle and feet firmly on the ground (Occupational Safety & Health Administration [OSHA], n.d.; American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees [AFSCME], n.d.).  Additional neutral positions include sitting in declined or reclined positions.  Please follow these other tips for proper workstation posture.

  • Sit with feet firmly on the ground or resting on footstool
  • Have enough clearance under desk for legs
  • Arms should fit on chair-rests or rest comfortably at your side
  • Telephone and other commonly used items should be easily within reach
  • Computer monitors should be at eye level

References
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees [AFSCME]. (n.d.) The keys to healthy computing: A health and safety handbook. Retrieved June 12, 2006 from http://www.afscme.org/publications/1328.cfm

Occupational Safety & Health Administration [OSHA]. (n.d.) Computer workstations: Good working positions. Retrieved June 5, 2006 from http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/positions.html