Ergonomic Assessment

Workstation Assessment

I completed an ergonomic workspace assessment for my Clinical Instructor, Joe, at an outpatient clinic in Mt. Iron, MN. The tool I selected is the Office Ergonomics Workstation Assessment Worksheet from Ergosystems Consulting Group. I also used their VDT workstation checklist.

Joe's workspace is located inside one of the treatment rooms just off the therapy gym. He has a desk with 3 drawers to the left, a chair on casters, a telephone, and a desktop computer with a monitor, keyboard and mouse. There is also a storage cabinet above his desk and an overhead light. He generally uses the area to check email and if he treats a patient there, he will complete documentation at his desk. Otherwise, he generally treats his patients in the gym and uses a standing, mobile desk with a laptop and mouse to complete his POS documentation.

Based on the assessment, Joe could use a better chair. The current chair does have 5 legs and plastic casters, but offers no lumbar support, has no arm rests and the seat pan is far too small for Joe, who is 6'4" tall. The recommendation is 2-3" between the seatpan and back of knees. There was probably 8-10" for Joe. In addition, the edge of the seat front was neither rounded or sharp.

The desk was the proper height and allowed for enough leg room underneath, but clearance for Joe's knees was pretty tight. There is no way he could have a pull-out tray for his key board underneath. He was able to keep his wrists in line with his forearms, but there was no wrist rest and his wrists cock slightly into extension in order for him to type. The mouse was at a good level for him but is too small for his hand and the desk has a sharp edge that his forearm would start to dig into with prolonged use.

The phone was not an issue because Joe doesn't spend much time taking phone calls. When he does, he can use the speaker option if needed.

There was no additional lighting for his desk and there was no document stand available, although this is not something he would need frequently.

The biggest issue was the placement of his monitor. Because of his height, Joe has his monitor elevated. It should be elevated even more to avoid him having to look slightly down. Unfortunately, there is an upper cabinet over his desk which prohibits the ability to raise the monitor any higher than it already is.

I would recommend a wrist rest, a mouse pad and a chair with arm rests and lumbar support with a larger seat pan that would accommodate Joe's size. I would also recommend additional desk lighting. The biggest issue is the height of the monitor and there is no way to change that because the other two exam rooms have the exact same set up. They would have to remove the cabinet from above his desk or replace it with one that is not so long. Fortunately, Joe does not spend a lot of time at his desk typing or using his computer. There is one spot in the gym that has a desk with a printer on it that has a different configuration of overhead cabinets. It's a common work space with a lot of supplies and resource books. He could move his desktop out there but then he would not have privacy or the availability of his computer in the treatment room when he sees patients there.