Setting up Your Workstation

The following information is taken from the BG BAU website.

For a more comprehensive overview, please read the guidelines for the design of VDU and office workstations published by Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung e.V.

Setting up the display

In a person's natural head position, the gaze is directed slightly downwards. The screen should therefore be positioned so that the line of vision is lowered by about 35° down from the horizontal plane.#
Modify as follows: The screen should be positioned at a 90° angle to the window to avoid glare.
Viewing distances should be based on the visual task rather than the screen size. For typical office tasks where reading is the main focus, viewing distances of 500 to 650 mm have proven to be effective.

In principle, sit-stand workstations are recommended, as more muscles are moved, the spine adopts different postures and attention is increased.
The table height for fixed work tables for seated work is 740 mm ± 20 mm.
The table height for fixed work tables for standing work is 1050 mm ± 20 mm.
The table height for height-adjustable work tables for seated or standing work is 650 to 1250 mm. The work surface should be at least 1600 mm x 800 mm. The legs should be able to move under the table over a width of at least 850 mm.

Compact keyboards (without a numeric keypad) can be used well if only a few numeric entries are required or if mouse operation is the main focus. If the mouse is operated with the right hand, a compact keyboard enables a more ergonomic posture than a full keyboard, as the mouse is closer to the keyboard.
The keyboard must be separated from the screen and be tiltable; there should be 10 - 15 cm of space between the edge of the desk and the keyboard to rest your hands on. Ergonomic keyboards have a split keypad, a palm rest and an upwardly curved keypad.
The size of the mouse must be adapted to the user's hand size and dexterity. An ergonomic mouse (vertical mouse) enables operation in a neutral hand and arm position, avoiding the classic 90° inward twist of the forearm.
For a mouse with a roller ball, a suitable non-slip surface of sufficient height and size must be available.
For an optical mouse, a sufficiently large movement surface must be available.

It is not "the" sitting position, but the dynamics of sitting that are decisive - the "closest" (sitting) position is therefore the best!
The feet are flat on the floor, the lower legs and thighs form an angle of at least 90°.
The seat depth should be chosen so that there is firm contact with the backrest and at least two finger-widths of space between the edge of the seat and the hollow of the knee.
If the chair has an adjustable lumbar support, it must adapt to the lower curvature of the spine (it is not possible to see through to the side, but no pressure is felt in the back).
The elbows rest loosely on the armrest when the shoulders are slouched.
The armrest should be at table height or slightly higher if you do a lot of keyboard work, so that your hands rest on the keyboard without bending at the wrist.
A sit-stand workstation is ideal. This promotes movement of the spine and stimulates the cardiovascular system. We recommend 2 - 4 changes of posture per hour, whereby no posture should be held for longer than 20 minutes. Standing up briefly and often is more favourable than a long standing phase.

With a standard desk height of 740 mm ± 20 mm, a footrest should be used for employees under approx. 1.65 metres.
For taller employees, a footrest is more likely to lead to strained sitting postures.

From approx. 500 lux in the area of the VDU workstation, reading with little strain is possible for people with normal vision.
From around the mid-40s, presbyopia begins to set in, vision deteriorates noticeably and more light is required for the same visual performance.
Illuminance should be uniform, without disturbing differences in brightness.
Direct glare can be avoided by using suitable sun protection and well-positioned lamps. Reflected glare can be limited by using suitable colours and surfaces.
A comfortable light temperature (warm white or neutral white) and good colour rendering (Ra = 80) support the well-being of employees.

The greater the level of attention required, the greater the susceptibility to noise. The noise level should not exceed 55 dB(A) for intellectual activities or 70 dB(A) for simple, mechanised activities.
Photocopiers and printers should be set up in separate rooms.

    - Air temperature: 20 - 22 °C
    - Relative humidity: maximum 50 per cent
    - Air movement: maximum 0.15 m/s

Despite higher humidity levels, air-conditioned buildings have a high rate of complaints about dry air and eye irritation.
In the case of mould allergies, green plants should kept out of the office.