Work surface size and shape
Your work surface should be large enough to accommodate all your tools, equipment, and paper. It should also allow these items to be moved as required by your task or changes in posture. Your work surface should variably allow you to place your keyboard, screen, or source documents directly in front of you.
In general, the greater the number of work tools (input and output devices) and documents required to perform the task, the greater the need for your work surface area to be configured close-in. This is accomplished by increasing work surface size, by shaping the work surface to surround you, and by the placement of trays and accessories within the worker’s easy reach. Conversely, for jobs involving fewer physical tasks, smaller, more linear work stations are adequate.
Desk activities involving mixed computer and writing tasks are best performed on a worksurface curved to surround the worker. If you use a corner configuration, place your computers at the center of the corner for tasks which center around the computer. However, if you access your computer less often than paperwork, reserve the corner angle for the paper, and place your computer elsewhere.
If you use a dual-platform (split-level) height-adjustable table, the keyboard platform must be large enough to hold all frequently used work-materials and equipment (e.g., including computer, phone, papers, and calculator). Keyboard platforms which are only large enough to hold a keyboard and mouse, rarely offer the adjustment flexibility of a single worksurface and monitor arm combination, are more costly, and are often inadequate for paperwork and other office tasks.
WORK SURFACE WIDTH
- For keyboard and mouse use only: 48”.
- For keyboard, mouse, and other tasks: 60”.
- Corner work surface width should be greater than 48”.
WORK SURFACE DEPTH
Ideally, your work surface depth will allow you to place the face of your monitor an arms distance away from you, or more. The further away from your eyes, the less stress on your eye -- assuming, of course, that your eyes can accommodate the distance and that the display is clear at that distance. This distant positioning is rarely possible on most worksurfaces unless you are using a flat-panel monitor. See also Monitor Positioning Specifications.
Common system furniture work surface depths of 24" are inadequate for today's monitor sizes. Even a 30" work surface depth may be inadequate for graphics and CAD monitors. Systems furniture work surfaces are not commonly available in depths greater than 32". In such cases, free-standing work surfaces provide greater alternatives in work surface depth.
Eileen Vollowitz PT
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