Ruby Fruit Journal

I want to know what should the dimensons be for the computer desk- height,length & depth of desk.Width & depth & ht of keyboard tray.Height& depth of chair.

The following are "preliminary guidelines for use in establishing preliminary design assumptions for a workstation display console". The important thing to remember while reading these values, is that these are guides, not to be taken literally (because tasks/users vary). But they are generally true to what you need:

{Since I’m in U.S., all measurements will be in inches… if you’re metric, I apologize).

Desk Chair – generally want a work station chair to be adjustable for comfort, and should adjust from anywhere to 15 – 18 inches from seat cushion to floor. Widths and depths vary, mostly by design… in which case you might want to research a site that specializes in office furniture (like Herman Miller) and get a specific spec on a specific chair that you want to represent. However, in general, office chairs are usually around 24-27 in wide. They are also typically 24-27 inches deep.

Computer Desk:
Keyboard Placement – 26.5 inches from the ground.
Table top/worksurface – 30 inches from the ground; desks are typically 30 to 36 inches deep. The general rule is that there should be 18 inches of minimum open work surface to use. With the advent of thin screens, this is easier to achieve with the 30 inch depth… however, larger monitors generally need the 36 inches to maintain this allowance. The length of the desk is more about task than about a requirement, so a computer station can be 48 inches wide, if that’s all that’s needed, or 120 inches wide if there’s need for more surface space.

Hope that all helped. If you need more information in regards to design, I STRONGLY recommend that you invest in the two books I list below. They are great resources for anthropometric requirements for designers. You can find both of these books at Half.com (which requires a free E-bay membership) for VERY reasonable prices.

Good luck.

Most mice (with the exception of the sqeeky, women standing on chairs type) have a rounded body with tapering front to fit the palm comfortably and to enable the easy use of the button/s.

A keyboard generally slants toward you, so the keys toward the top of the board are protruding more and easier to hit.

(oops. that was two.. me bad *slaps wrist*)

What are some health problems from using your monitor incorrectly?
What are some health problems from using your mouse and monitor incorrectly?

Next strain, eye strain, back problems

RSI injuries from incorrect mouse use like carpel tunnel syndrome

Everything about a "standard" work station is as bad for you as an extra hole in the head.

You need a chair that will allow you to keep a 128 degree angle from your trunk to leg, while completely supporting your body. Adjustable back height, seat height, angle, lumbar support, and arm height are also key components of a good ergonomic chair.

The keyboard and mouse should be slightly below your arms allowing your wrists to keep a more natural position. If possible a negative tilt keyboard or keyboard tray is the best option.

The monitor should be raised to eye level and placed as far away from you as you can clearly see. This helps reduce strain on your eyes as well as neck and shoulders.

Bear in mind there are several ergonomic computer keyboards value between $60 and $650 USD.

If you spend your workdays in front of a computer (a lot of us do) or are a programmer (my case) then you’d be willing to pay a lot, even around the 400$ IF IT SOLVES most of your ergonomic problems – like volume buttons, a nice trackball, and other tricks- and has nice key spacing, does a nice click (like the old IBM kb’s did, haven’t found anything near it in quality), will work OK after hitting it to remove dust…
Most PC workers will end up trying a lot of brands and makes, settling in one or two "good enough" but always willing to try a new one and hoping it’ll be "the one".

TEST YOUR COMPUTER KNOWLEDGE! WILL BE USED IN A SURVEY

Self Check

1. If va product is , it has been designed to work properly with the human body to reduce strain or injurys.
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of a(n) .
3. To reduce eyestrain, a monitor’s should be no greater than .28mm.

True/False
Test your computers skills

4. Injuries to the hand or wrist can result from using a keyboard for a long periods.
5. An ergonomic office chair should not have armrest.
6. When typing, you should set the chair and keyboard so that you must reach up to touch the keys.

Key Terms Quiz

7. Low frequency power creates WHAT? .
8. WHAT is a common injury among clerical personnel who spend a great deal of time using a computer keyboard or mouse.

Review Questions

9. What are repetitive stress injuries.
10. What are the three characteristics you should look for in an office chair.

1. Ergonomically correct
2. Repetitive Stress Injuries
3. dot pitch
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. Electronic fields
8. Carpal tunnel syndrome
9. A group of ailments caused by continuous use of the body in ways it was not designed to work.
10. Adjustable height
Lower-back support
Armrests (preferably adjusted)

google it. too complicated to give adequate answer.

1. top of monitor at eye level
2. forearms parallel with floor
3. back adequately supported
4. chair height adjusted so thighs are parallel with floor
5. mouse/keyboard in natural position where hands are without having to ‘reach’ for them
6. avoid higly repetitive mouse clicking
7. rest for at least 5 minutes every 30 minutes, ie get up, move around and stretch

what is it?

Ergonomics (or human factors) is the application of scientific information concerning humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for human use (definition adopted by the International Ergonomics Association in 2007). Ergonomics is commonly thought of as how companies design tasks and work areas to maximize the efficiency and quality of their employees’ work. However, ergonomics comes into everything which involves people. Work systems, sports and leisure, health and safety should all embody ergonomics principles if well designed.(International Ergonomics Association in 2007) It is the applied science of equipment design intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort. The field is also called biotechnology, human engineering, and human factors engineering.

Ergonomic research is primarily performed by ergonomists who study human capabilities in relationship to their work demands. Information derived from ergonomists contributes to the design and evaluation of tasks, jobs, products, environments and systems in order to make them compatible with the needs, abilities and limitations of people (IEA, 2000).

I’m an industrial design student, and I’m looking into new designs for computers. Your personal responses could really help me:

What bothers you about your computer? Is it ugly? Is something always breaking? What and how would you change your computer so that it would be perfect for you?

I’ve never found my computer to be ugly or to be breaking. But one problem that seems to bother me is the positioning of laptop keyboards, they are too far back from the edge of he laptop and hard on the wrists.

How do I have better ergonomics at my home computer station?

Any home techniques. I am broke right now so can’t afford anything new.
My back, shoulders, neck, and wrist hurt and I’m sure it’s from using the computer.

Any tips for me?

find a more comfortable chair