Workstation Components
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions

Purpose

The State of Utah Risk Management Ergonomics Program is designed to recognize, identify, and reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) to which employees may be exposed.

Goals

  • Decrease exposure to ergonomic risk factors that result in injury;
  • Reduce direct (workers’ compensation claim costs) and indirect costs related to WMSDs;
  • Enhance employees’ comfort and safety, thus improving worker productivity and satisfaction;
  • Increase knowledge of ergonomic best practices;
  • Encourage ergonomic solutions through training; and
  • Incentivize state agencies to embrace ergonomic solutions by reducing the burden of cost.

The Ergo Request Process

Please feel free to contact ergo@utah.gov at any stage of the request process if you have any questions or concerns.

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Meet The Team

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Byungju Yoo, PhD

Ergonomic Consultant

Division of Risk Management

byoo@utah.gov

801-360-9480

Janet Bostrom

Janet Auger, MS, CAE

Ergonomic Consultant

Division of Risk Management

janetauger@utah.gov

385-226-4027

Workstation Components

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Even with the best equipment in the world, if it is not set up right for you, it will not work well.

See the information below to properly adjust your workstation equipment.

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Computer Equipment Setup & Tips

Keyboard
The preferred position for many workers while keyboarding is having the forearms parallel to the floor and elbows at the sides, which allows the hands to move easily over the keyboard. The wrist should be straight with the hand in line with the forearm.

Problems/Suggestions:
A) If the keyboard is too high, consider lowering it by:
  • using the keyboard tray
  • lowering the work surface
  • raising the chair and providing a foot rest.
B) If the keyboard is too low, considering raising it by:
  • raising the work surface
Mouse

Place the mouse next to the keyboard, as it is usually most comfortable to operate the mouse when it is positioned next to the keyboard.

Furniture Setup & Workstation Tips

*Chair Adjustment
1. With the arms at your sides and the elbow joint at approximately 110 degrees, adjust the height/position of the chair armrests to support the forearms.
2. Adjust the height of the chair so that the thighs are horizontal while the feet are flat on the floor.
3. If available, adjust the seat pan depth so that your back is supported by the chair back rest.
4. If available, adjust the lumbar support vertically so that it supports/fits the curvature of the lower back.

*To see common chairs and how to adjust them click here.		 Chair with legs at 90 degrees and elbows resting on arm rests.
Problems/Suggestions:
  1. My thighs aren't horizontal.
    1. If the chair height does not adjust and the feet do not rest on the floor, consider using:
      1. a foot rest (or a book)
  2. My lower back hurts.
    1. If you are unable to sit upright (90-degree angle at the hip) with your back being supported by the back rest, consider using:
      1. a small pillow between the low back and the back rest
      2. a rolled-up towel between the low back and the back rest
      3. a commercially available, low-cost lumbar support
      4. another chair that supports your low back when you sit upright
  3. My shoulders and upper back hurt.
    1. If the chair does not have armrests, or the armrests do not adjust to a supportive position, consider using:
      1. another chair that offers adjustable arm rests
      2. an adjustable height keyboard tray (it will allow the upper extremity to assume a good position)

        Resource Documents

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        Frequently Asked Questions

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