The following guidelines must be taken into consideration in the design of a work area.
Work stations, including screen-based equipment, have the potential to cause or aggravate Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) if they are not designed correctly.
Furniture location
In order to determine the best location for furniture in an office it is necessary to specify the tasks which are carried out in the office and analyse the usual flow of traffic which is associated with those tasks.
In this context 'traffic' refers to both foot traffic in the area and to the movements associated with performing those tasks at individual workstations - for instance, clerical work, word processing, typing, answering the telephone or responding to people presenting themselves at a counter.
Consideration should also be given to reflections and glare from work surfaces or Visual Display Units (VDUs), including computer screens. Wherever possible furniture should be arranged in order to eliminate reflections and avoid contrast of illuminance on screens. Screens should be located such that the face of the screen is at 90° to the window (see antiglare section).
Equipment layout
The optimum location of equipment on the work surface is determined by the tasks performed, their frequency and duration, equipment used, space allowances and acceptable reach limits.
Reach across a desk (horizontally)
Reach limits are described as different work zones consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary or reference zones.
Primary Work Zone – this is generally the distance from your elbow to your hand, moving in in an arc left to right. This is the frequently used zone where items are most handled within easy reach.
Secondary Work Zone – this is within arm’s reach without overstretching or lunging forwards, moving in an arc left to right. This area is for less frequently used items within the arm’s reach.
Tertiary or Reference Zone – this is greater than arm’s reach and often requires reaching out. Items should not be placed in this zone if they are to be used from the position. It is often better to get up and move to locate yourself closer to the item rather than overstretch.