Workstation Discomfort and Solutions
Where is your problem area?
Choose a marker to find out about risk factors and
how to minimize them
Discomfort Area: Shoulders
Risk Factors | How to Decrease Risks |
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Phone use is greater than one hour per day | 1-2 hours per day:
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Mouse position is too far from keyboard | Move mouse closer to keyboard |
Wiggling wrist while using the mouse |
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Using mouse solely with right hand | Use mouse with left hand |
Arm rest is too far apart and individual leans on one rest |
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Lifting heavy items with one arm | Use two arms or reorganize office space |
Keyboard drawer only holds keyboard |
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Keyboard is too far away, too high, or too low |
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Monitor too far away and person leans forward to view screen |
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Back rest on chair does not fit individual; low back and no shoulder support |
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Arm rests are too high or too far apart |
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Content provided by University of Minnesota |
Discomfort Area: Wrists
Risk Factors | How to Decrease Risks |
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Mouse is positioned far away from the keyboard; the wrist is bent at an awkward position; Mouse may be too low |
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Tight pinch grip on pen and heavy writing |
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Keyboard is poorly placed | Align keyboard drawer at elbow height |
Calculator is positioned too high or too far away |
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Keyboard is too high, too low, too far away | Place keyboard near elbow height with shoulders relaxed |
Wrist rest is too high, too low, too hard, too soft, or in the way | Remove the wrist wrest or use one that is comfortable |
Elbows are above the keyboard height and there is a crease at the wrist |
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Elbows are below the keyboard height |
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Repetitive job without variety |
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Content provided by University of Minnesota |
Discomfort Area: Neck
Risk Factors | How to Decrease Risks |
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Monitor is too far away and head is tilted forward or person is nearsighted | Bring monitor closer, up to 15-25 inches away (roughly arms length away), or change vision prescription |
Mouse is too far to one side, too high, or too far forward | Move mouse closer to keyboard height |
Documents on desk or documents too far to one side | Place the document and the monitor at height that allows neck to be neutral (straight) |
Individual wears bifocals and tilts head back |
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Monitor too low, neck tilted forward | Raise monitor |
Phone cradled between neck and shoulder | Phone use 1-2 hours per day:
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Elbows are above the keyboard height and there is a crease at the wrist |
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Content provided by University of Minnesota |
Discomfort Area: Eyes
Risk Factors | How to Decrease Risks |
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Monitor tilted too far away | Change monitor position |
Direct light in eyes | Reduce light, use glare screen or change monitor position |
Low relative humidity and dry eyes |
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Eyeglass prescription too weak or too strong | Change eyeglass prescription |
Monitor too high |
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Monitor off to side |
Center monitor |
Content provided by University of Minnesota |
Discomfort Area: Low Back
Risk Factors | How to Decrease Risks |
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Chair back is down at bottom of seat; seat pan is too long |
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Feet are dangling from chair |
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Keyboard in poor location or too far forward | Move keyboard closer |
Back injury or medical condition prevents sitting for long periods |
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Content provided by University of Minnesota |
Discomfort Area: Legs
Risk Factors | How to Decrease Risks |
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Chair seat is too big; individual has to sit forward or cross legs to relieve discomfort |
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Chair seat too small; poor weight distribution |
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Pain in buttocks - knees higher than hips (usually problem for tall people) |
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Pain in calf or back of thigh below knee |
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Top of leg hurts, can't cross legs | Table top too thick; purchase a thinner table |
Content provided by University of Minnesota |