Glucode Glucode Handbook

Remote workspace setup tips

Setting up your workstation

Ergonomics is a scientific discipline which is concerned with improving the productivity, health, safety, and comfort while you work.

It is important that you adjust your workstation furniture and equipment to suit your individual needs.

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At Glucode, we offer the Home Office Allowance to assist you in having a comfortable, safe and productive remote working environment.

Here are some tips on how to set up your workstation:

Chair

A good chair provides necessary support to your back, legs and arms, while reducing exposures to awkward postures, contact stress, and forceful exertions.

How to sit to ensure you have enough support:

  • Push your hips as far back as they can go in the chair.
  • Adjust the seat height so your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are equal to or slightly lower than your hips. Use a footrest if necessary.
  • Adjust the back of the chair. Make sure your upper and lower back are supported. Use inflatable cushions or small pillows if necessary. If you have an active back mechanism on your chair, use it to make frequent position changes.
  • Adjust the armrests so that your shoulders are relaxed. If your armrests are in the way, remove them.

Workstation

Besides having a good chair that supports you, there are other important aspects to ensure you’re working from a healthy and safe environment.

Desk

Your desk is the foundation for all of your work and where all of your work-essential devices will live.

How to setup your desk for enough support:

  • Under the desk, make sure there’s clearance for your knees, thighs and feet.
  • If the desk is too low and can’t be adjusted, place sturdy boards or blocks under the desk legs.
  • If the desk is too high and can’t be adjusted, raise your chair.
  • Use a footrest to support your feet as needed.
  • If your desk has a hard edge, pad the edge or use a wrist rest.
  • Don’t store items under your desk.

Keyboards and Mouse

Proper selection and arrangement of your keyboard and mouse may help reduce exposure to awkward postures, repetition, and contact stress.

  • Put the keyboard directly in front of you.
  • Keep shoulders relaxed and your elbows close to your body.
  • Maintain your wrists straight and in-line with your forearms.
  • Keep the mouse close to the keyboard.
  • Alternate hands with which you operate the mouse.
  • Use keyboard shortcuts to reduce extended use.

Monitors and screens

Choosing a suitable monitor and placing it in an appropriate position helps reduce exposure to forceful exertions, awkward postures, and overhead glare.

This helps prevent possible health effects such as excessive fatigue, eyestrain, and neck and back pain.

  • Center the monitor above your keyboard, directly in front of you.
  • Position the top of the monitor approximately 2 to 3 inches above seated eye level. (If you wear bifocals, lower the monitor to a comfortable reading level.)
  • Sit at least an arm’s length away from the screen, and then adjust the distance for your vision.
  • Reduce glare by the careful positioning of your screen.

Location

Aside from applying ergonomics for your posture, consider what other room modifications need to be made to enhance your productivity at work.

The room where you work needs to have sufficient:

  • lighting
  • airflow