Workstation
Key Points
Your workstation surface needs to have enough space, i.e., depth, to accommodate your monitor(s) and other input devices
Eye to monitor(s) distance is important
Your desk can be a traditional desk, standing desk or a combination of the two.
The Workstation
A workstation is a designated area, such as your office at work or at home, but is can also be wherever you place your laptop computer. In a rapidly changing world, we have to be familiar with the traditional permanent workstation at the office but we also have to be ready for the portable nomadic workstations we create outside of work. That location can be at home or at poolside at the resort in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
With that being said, the purpose this page is to consider the workstation and its set-up. If you have a proper set-up, you can increase your productivity and minimize the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.
In the sections below, we’ll touch upon some topics that will optimize your workstation, regardless of how or where you work. I hope you get some ideas to increase your productivity but most importantly, I hope you can minimize the risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder.
Office vs Remote
Set-up
Height: the height of the desk should be such that there is enough clearance for your thighs and legs to fit under the desk
Desk top:
Waterfall edge: if possible, the desk edge should have a rounded edge and not a sharp edge. This type of edge is also known as a waterfall edge. This is gentle to your hand/wrist and forearms in the event you have to push against the edge or are resting your arm on the edge of the desk.
Area: the area needs to be deep enough to accommodate the items below.
Monitor
Depth is important to minimize digital eye strain. The recommended distance from your eyes to the monitor(s) is contingent on the size of the screen. As a general rule, the further the away your eyes are from the screen the better and allows for a greater central field of view (which decreases neck rotation).
You can try 24’’ or 30’’ away from the screen
In the case of 2 monitors:
Center them both
If you have a primary monitor, they should still be centered but the secondary monitor that is used intermittently, should be placed on the same side of your dominate eye and angled 30 degrees away from the primary monitor.
Keyboard
Numeric keypad
Mouse
Document holder
Desk Types
Traditional
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Standing
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Combo
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.