The Office Chair
Can the height, seat and back of the chair be adjusted to achieve the posture outlined below?
Suggested Actions:
• Obtain a fully adjustable chair
Are your feet fully supported by the floor when you are seated?
Suggested Actions:
• Lower the chair
• Use a footrest
Does your chair provide support for your lower back?
Suggested Actions:
• Adjust chair back
• Obtain proper chair
• Obtain lumbar roll
When your back is supported, you able to sit without feeling pressure from the chair seat on the back of your knees?
Suggested Actions:
• Adjust seat pan
• Add a back support
Do your armrests allow you to get close to your workstation?
Suggested Actions:
• Adjust armrests
• Remove armrests
Correct seating position at office desk
Keyboard & Mouse
Are your keyboard, mouse and work surface at your elbow height?
Suggested Actions:
• Raise / lower workstation
• Raise or lower keyboard
• Raise or lower chair
Are frequently used items within easy reach?
Suggested Actions:
• Rearrange workstation
Is the keyboard close to the front edge of the desk allowing space for the wrist to rest on the desk surface?
Suggested Actions:
• Move keyboard to correct position
When using your keyboard and mouse, are your wrists straight and your upper arms relaxed?
NB:- The keyboard should be flat and not propped up on keyboard legs as an angled keyboard may place the wrist in an awkward posture when keying.
Suggested Actions:
• Re-check chair, raise or lower as needed
• Check posture
• Check keyboard and mouse height
Is your mouse at the same level and as close as possible to your keyboard?
Suggested Actions:
• Move mouse closer to keyboard
• Obtain larger keyboard tray if necessary
Is the mouse comfortable to use?
Suggested Actions:
• Rest your dominant hand by using the mouse with your other hand.
• Investigate alternate mouse options
Hand Position for use with keyboard
Work Surface
Is your monitor positioned directly in front of you?
Suggested Actions:
• Reposition monitor
Is your monitor positioned at least an arm’s length away?
Note: the monitor’s location is dependent on the size of the monitor, the font, screen resolution and the individual user e.g. vision/use of bifocal spectacles etc.
Suggested Actions:
• Reposition monitor
• Seek an alternative monitor if necessary e.g. flat screen that uses less space
Is your monitor height slightly below eye level?
Suggested Actions:
• Add or remove monitor stand
• Adjust monitor height
Is your monitor and work surface free from glare?
Suggested Actions:
• Windows at side of monitor
• Adjust overhead lighting
• Cover windows
• Obtain antiglare screen
Do you have appropriate light for reading or writing documents?
Suggested Actions:
• Obtain desk lamp
• Place on left if right-handed – place on right if left handed
Are frequently used items located within the usual work area and items which are only used occasionally in the occasional work area?
Suggested Actions:
• Rearrange workstation
Correct seating position
Working zones
Breaks
Do you take postural breaks every 30 minutes? E.g. standing, walking to printer / fax etc.?
Suggested Actions
• Set reminders to take breaks
Do you take regular eye breaks from looking at your monitor?
Suggested Actions
• Refocus on picture on wall every 30 minutes
Accessories
Is there a sloped desk surface or angle board for reading and writing tasks if required?
Suggested Action:
• Obtain an angle board
Is there a document holder either beside the screen or between the screen and keyboard if required?
Suggested Action:
• Obtain document holder
Are you using a headset or speakerphone if you are writing or keying while talking on the phone?
Suggested Action:
• Obtain a headset if using the phone and keyboard
• Use Shoretel in conjunction with headset (Domain is shoretel.qprc.nsw.gov.au) or contact IT for assistance
Laptop
In the event of using a laptop computer for prolonged periods of time use of;
• A full sized external keyboard and mouse;
• Docking station with full sized monitor or a laptop stand
Suggested Action:
• Obtain appropriate laptop accessories
"Hot Desking" (when applicable)
Provided time, support and supervision to make above adjustments.
Sign Off
Enter any comments or recommendations in this field prior to sign off.
Following completion of this checklist, please discuss any concerns or requirements with your supervisor or the WHS team.
All completed assessments should be submitted to your supervisor.
