Workstation design

Disciplines > Workplace design > Workstation design

Chairs | Lighting | Worktop | Storage | Utilities | See also

Good workstation design can lead to more effective and contented employees. Here are some tips to help.

Chairs

• Ergonomic. There are standards and legislation on ergonomics which need to be followed. Chair mobility, height, depth, cushioning and back support are all important.

• Not too comfortable? The comfort paradox is that if we are too comfortable, we are less likely to get up. Yet sitting in one position for a longer time is not that healthy.

Lighting

• Low-level desk lighting. The trouble with overhead lighting is that as people lean forward, they cast a shadow over their work. A desk light creates a pool of light over the work, creating a focus on it.

Worktop

• Adequate depth. Many worktops are designed to hold deep computers. These are not necessary when people are using notebooks and flat-panel displays.

• Ls, Us and curves. The human arms in movement describe two circles. This is supported by desks which are L-shaped, U-shaped or curved in a similar way.

Storage

• Adequate storage. Storage is available in shelves, drawers, cupboards and worktop space. Ensure there is enough, to hand, and which does not encroach.
• Not too much. People will fill all storage you give them. Think about what is truly useful as opposed to space to put the junk. Good storage has things taken out of it as well as put into it.

Utilities

• Utilities at the worktop. When computers and equipment are permanently fixed, then under-desk power and network sockets are acceptable.

• Enough power sockets.

See also

Work patterns, Physical design principles