Sagus - Practical Ergonomics

I. Ergonomic Workstation Guidelines for Teachers and Administrators

The following guidelines will help you arrange and evaluate the ergonomics of your primary student workstations. When possible, the workstation should quickly adjust or transform, to accommodate the student while seated and standing.

Chair:

Select the height of your student’s chairs to allow support of their feet flat on the floor while supporting only their feet and lower legs.

Make sure the angle between their torso and legs is greater than 90°.

Allow 2” – 4” of space between the waterfall front of the seat front edge and the back of their knees.

Tell them to sit up straight and relax their shoulders while you evaluate the backrest contact with their back. You should see full contact with the small of their back and support up to at least their shoulder blades.

The backrest should be near vertical when unloaded and should be flexible when pushed against by the student.

Desk:

1/4” or greater radius on all upper desk edges

Smooth, non-glare surfaces with radiused cutout on front edge

Height adjustable top surface from 20”-30” seated and 28”-40” standing

Space under desk area for leg clearance and movement

Classroom Arrangement and Activity Suggestions:

Plan for an arrangement that is dynamic and easy to change.

Mix-it up, rearrange desks according to the work being performed.

Get the students involved and ask for their help and ideas.

Once size does not fit all! Place taller desks and chairs around the sides and back to allow larger students to find desks that fit them.

Most single grade classrooms can get away with two sizes but some mixed grade classes may need three sizes of desk and chairs to fit the full range of students.

Allow students to stand at-will and do not discourage them from alternating postures.

Refer to the charts below to get a feel for some of the critical measurements and what sort of variety you may need in your classroom.

Student Height	41-47.5”	48-53.5”	54-59.5”	60-65”	65-71”	72”-82”
Chair seat Width	12.5”	14”	15”	16”	17”	18”
Chair seat Height	11”	12”	13”	14”	16”	18”
Chair seat Height (Adjustable) seated desk	10-13”	11-14”	12-15”	13-16”	15-18”	17-20”
Chair seat Height (Adjustable) standing desk	18-21”	19-22”	20-23”	21”-24”	22-26”	25-30”
Desk Height (Seated)	18-21”	19-22”	20-23”	21”-24”	22-26”	25-30”
Desk Height (standing)	26-28”	28-30”	30-32”	32-36”	36-38”	38-42”

Notes:

Be sure to include carpet when possible as the flooring. It is quieter and allows the students to focus better in class.

Standing height desks and stools should always include footrests on the desk and stool.

II. 12 tips for an Ergonomic Computer Workstation

1. Use a good chair with a dynamic chair back and sit back in this

2. Top of monitor casing 2-3" (5-8 cm) above eye level

3. No glare on screen, use an optical glass anti-glare filter where needed

4. Sit at arms length from monitor

5. Feet on floor or stable footrest

6. Use a document holder, preferably in-line with the computer screen

7. Wrists flat and straight in relation to forearms to use keyboard/mouse/input device

8. Arms and elbows relaxed close to body

9. Center monitor and keyboard in front of you

10. Use a negative tilt keyboard tray with an upper mouse platform or downward tiltable platform adjacent to keyboard

11. Use a stable work surface and stable (no bounce) keyboard tray

12. Take frequent short breaks (microbreaks)\

Source: Cornell University Ergonomics Web

CBC Spark: Proper laptop ergonomics from CBC Radio: Spark on Vimeo.

Ergonomist Rabiya Lallani, from Human Factors North, shows CBC Radio's Nora Young how to properly set up your laptop so it doesn't kill your neck and shoulders.