Did You Know there’s an Office Ergonomics Standard (CSA Z412) that covers how you should use your Cell Phone?

Is Your Company Meeting the CSA Standard for Office Ergonomics?

Hey all you professionals in Health and Safety, Ergonomics, Facility planning and Design, I hope you’ve heard about the new (and improved) CSA Standard for Office Ergonomics, Z412-17.  Do you have an ergonomics program at your company?  It’s not just ‘nice to have’ anymore.  This is not just a guideline – it’s now presented in the form of a standard and includes updates that reflect new technology (such as sit/stand desks, multiple monitors) and new work practices. 

Did you know that in the CSA Standard, the minimum height for adjustable sit stand desks shall be 22.6″ (57.5 cm). (page 53).  They’ve done this to accommodate smaller workers, and it is a good thing.  Now consider this:  if you’re currently sitting at a fixed height desk, it’s likely 29″ high.  If you are considering a sit/stand desk, you may be thinking of adding a unit on top of your desk, but then your seated height may be too high.  Placing a sit/stand unit on top of a typical fixed height desk doesn’t meet this standard and often doesn’t accommodate proper seated postures. 

If you are in the position of health, safety, ergonomics, and/or the design/build and operations of office work spaces, this document is for you!!

Some of the highlights of the new document include better use of mobile devices:

• When using a tablet, you should consider changing your posture every 10 minutes (think kids – how many hours are they hunched over their ipads…);
• You should try to use your fingers to type with, more than your thumbs; 
• When holding a cell phone, you should keep your wrist straight;
• You should consider alternating hands holding your device
• If using a laptop for extended durations, the user shall be provided with an external keyboard, non-keyboard input device and either raised laptop screen or docking station and external monitor.
• The Standard addresses many other things like lighting in the office, heights of desks, monitor types and setting up multiple screens, etc.

If you want more information on how the standard applies to your workplace, contact us.

Anderson Ergonomics offers a course related to the proper use of this standard:

          Applied Office Ergonomics Assessment Training