According to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the average Canadian spends approximately 36 hours per week at work. That’s a long time to be stuck behind a tiny desk in an uncomfortable chair! Ensure your employees have the best possible environment to work in by incorporating ergonomic office furniture into your workstation layouts. Investing in ergonomic office furniture is a great way to improve the health and productivity of your workforce, but only if the design is executed properly. When it comes to creating ergonomic workstations, trust Ontario’s premiere new and used office furniture supplier for knowledgeable advice and personal service. The following are four things to consider when shopping for ergonomic Ontario office furniture.
Consideration #1 – your employees
When it comes to creating an ergonomic workstation, the first thing to think about is the person who will be using the furniture. Customizing the workstation’s design to its occupant is the best way to ensure an ergonomic design. As such, it’s important that you consider things like, body size, height, gender, and whether the employee is right handed or left handed. These factors will affect the type of ergonomic office furniture that you buy, as well as how the various pieces are arranged to create a functional work area.
Consideration #2 – work responsibilities
Once you have a better understanding of who will be using the workstation, it’s time to learn more about that employee’s work responsibilities. This is because different equipment, accessories, and layouts are better suited to certain office tasks. Before purchasing your Ontario office furniture consider whether or not your employee:
- Does very little computer work or a lot of computer work
- Requires both typing space, as well as space for desk work (phone calls, filing, note taking, etc.)
- Uses a mouse or other input devices
Consideration #3 – office space
The final factor that will affect the design of your ergonomic workstation is the physical office environment. This will require taking measurements of the available space, noting the dimensions of any existing furniture, and documenting light sources. Remember to ask yourself whether or not customer interaction will take place in this workspace, as this will have a bearing on the layout as well.
Once this initial assessment is complete, it’s time to start looking for suitable ergonomic office furniture. The ergonomic experts at atWork recommend focusing on three major features first: the desk, a chair, and accessories. Remember to include your employee in the purchasing process. Let them test out the various designs and select components that suit their comfort level.
Consideration #4 – training
Setting up an ergonomic workstation can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the various components. This is why interactive training on how to use, adjust, and re-adjust the furniture in an ergonomic workstation is absolutely crucial. A representative from atWork can help ensure that all components of your workstation are properly set for their respective dimensions and occupant.
More and more Ontario businesses are enhancing their offices with ergonomic workstations. For more information on how to create workspaces that protect your employees from job-related injury, please contact the ergonomic experts at atWork. Our selection of new and used Ontario office furniture includes many ergonomic offerings.
