DOC NO.

: SWP-17
Fikdtec Pte Ltd
REV. : A

SHEET : 1 OF 8
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
REV. DATE : 02 Jan 2021

TITLE: WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

Rev. Description of Change Clause

A Initial Release N.A.

Prepared/Reviewed By

PUSH 20 Jan 2022

________________________ __________________________ ____________________
(Signature) (Project Manager ) (Date)

Approved By

SHEN ZHU YOU 20 Jan 2022

____________________ __________________________ ____________________
(Signature) (Director) (Date)
 DOC NO. : SWP-17
Fikdtec Pte Ltd
REV. : A

SHEET : 2 OF 8
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
REV. DATE : 02 Jan 2021

TITLE: WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

1. Purpose : To define a procedure for ergonomic in the workstation set up so as to protect
personnel from possible injuries.

2. Scope : This procedure is applicable to the office workstations.

3. Reference : Nil

4. Definition : Nil

5. Responsibility :

5. 1 The Project Manager / Person in-charge (PIC) and Supervisor shall ensure that the safe work
procedures are followed at the workplace.

5. 2 The Project Manager shall provide the necessary resources as far as reasonably practicable to
comply with the safe work procedures.

6. Procedure :

6.1 Chairs
6.1.1 A person shall try to achieve the angles shown below when sitting at a computer
workstation.

6.1.2 When adjusting the height of the chair, the follow criteria shall be met.

a. The forearm shall be horizontal at right angle to the upper arm (creating the 90 degree
above).
b. The elbow shall be just clear of the work surface.
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TITLE: WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

c. The wrist shall be in the neutral (straight) position when you use the key board and/ or
mouse.
6.1.3 A quick way to check that the chair height is correct for you is to stand in front of the chair.
When at the correct height the front of the seat will be just below your kneecaps.

6.1.4 Chairs shall be provided with good lumbar support. If the chair does not have, then a
lumber cushion may help to give the support needed.

6.1.5 Sit back in the chair and use the support provided. Do not perch on the edge of the chair.

6.1.6 The back support should fit snugly into the curve of your back. Adjust the back support
where necessary.

6.1.7 Arm rest, if provided on the chair, should be padded and adjusted so that your elbows can
rest at your side comfortably to reduce shoulder and back stress.

6.2 Keyboards

6.2.1 Keyboards should be light to allow for easy movement but at the same time sit on the work
surface without moving about.

6.2.2 When keying the wrists should be straight (neutral position). This position is comfortable
and reduces the risk of injury.

6.2.3 Your wrists should be in a neutral position when they are on the middle row of the alphabet
keys. This can be done by either adjusting the keyboard using the legs on the base of the
keyboard or by adjusting the chair.

6.2.4 If you allow your wrists to rest on the work surface in front of the keyboard when typing you
are liable to experience musculoskeletal injury. Wrist rests can be used to prevent contact
with the work surface. A rounded edge surface will minimize injury in these circumstances.
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SAFE WORK PROCEDURE
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TITLE: WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

6.3 Lighting & Monitor

6.3.1 The direction of light and how it will affect a computer user shall be considered in the design
of the workstation.

6.3.2 Ideally when you face the monitor you should be sitting beside or parallel to the window.

6.3.3 In circumstances where glare is experienced from the monitor screen due to artificial
lighting in the office or lights from outside through the windows, one or combination of the
following measures may be taken.

a. Install anti-glare screen on the monitor screen.

b. Install blinds and adjust them properly to reduce the amount of light on the monitor
screen.
c. Having a matte finish on walls and desks reduces the amount of reflected light in a
work area.
d. Adjust the monitor screen away from the light source.
e. Use diffuser and “soft” light.

6.3.4 While too much light may cause glare, low lighting levels may also cause eye strain. Task
lighting may be provided as additional lighting where needed.

6.3.5 The centre of the monitor screen should be 4-5 inches below eye level (this equates to
having the top line of text at eye level). This will prevent holding the head in awkward
positions to see the screen.
6.3.6 If an anti-glare screen is installed it must be cleaned regularly to prevent dust build-up.

6.4 Mouse
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TITLE: WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

6.4.1 Customize the mouse in the Control Panel of the operating system to your personal
preferences.

6.4.2 If you frequently drag your mouse you can help to reduce muscle soreness in fingers and
hands by locking the drag switch. You then do not have to hold the mouse button down as
you drag.

6.4.3 Ideally the mouse should be on the same level as the keyboard tray (and not on the desk
above and to the side of the tray as is often seen) to prevent arm muscle fatigue.

6.4.4 Your wrist should be straight when using the mouse; any movement should come from the
shoulder and not the wrist.

6.4.5 If you are an intensive mouse user then try using both hands to use the mouse. This gives
each arm a break.

6.4.6 Ensure that the mouse fit your hand and is comfortable to handle.

6.4.7 Do not use a mouse continuously for long hours. Take regular breaks to rest your muscles.

6.5 Posture

6.5.1 The position of workstation equipment shall be taken into consideration when designing a
workstation to prevent future problems.

6.5.2 If the body is expected to sit in the same, uncomfortable position for periods of time the
body experiences a number of reactions, including:
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TITLE: WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

a. increased compressive load on the spine
b. reduced blood flow to muscles resulting in compression of soft tissue and associated
numbness and pain
c. increased pooling of blood in the legs and feet which further reduces blood flow
d. holding the body in one position means that muscles have to contract leading to
tiredness and fatigue

6.5.3 For a comfortable position, the computer workstation should allow you to sit with:

a. your head should be held upright to follow the curve of the spine
b. your arms held horizontally with an approximately 90-degree angle at the elbow
c. your wrists in neutral position
d. your thighs parallel to the floor so that the hip angle is 90-degrees
e. your feet should be supported by a foot rest or the floor so that there is a 90-degree
angle at the ankle
f. the lumbar support of your chair fitting into the small of your back to support the lower
spine and pelvis (this also maintains the natural curve of the spine)

6.5.4 The drawing below shows the recommended dimensions and adjustments ranges for the
chair, footstool, monitor, keyboard and work surfaces to achieve good posture.

7. Attachment

7.1 Ergonomic Workstation Checklist

7.1 Ergonomic Workstation Checklist

Name Position Date

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TITLE: WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

1. Chair

Swivel seat with 5 castor base (glides should be used on hard floors)
Seat height should be adjustable so that when operator is seated:

Description Yes/No Remark

A Upper arms handing freely (no side arms on chair)

B Thighs are not compressed by front edge of seat

Upper leg is approximately horizontal or angled slightly upwards with feet on floor or
C
footrest
D Sufficient clearance between the thigh and lower edge of desk

E Sufficient clearance between front edge of seat and lower leg

2. Desk

Description Yes/No Remark

Height should be adjustable so that forearms are horizontal or angled slightly

A
downward
Document holder placed beside or beneath screen at same viewing distance as
B
screen
Phone, folders etc. within easy reaching distance without the need to twist body or
C
stretch from seated position
D Sufficient space for documents, completed work and writing on work surface
E Beneath desk should be clear of obstructions so that knee and foot have clearance
F Cords and cables secured out of way

3. Monitor

When head is erect, the top of screen should be in line with eyes
Screen should be adjustable so that when head is looking at screen:

Description Yes/No Remark

Viewing distance between eye and screen is between 400mm – 700mm

A
(arm’s length)
B The angle between screen surface and line of sight is approximately 90°
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TITLE: WORKSTATION ERGONOMICS

C The downward angle between line of sight and the horizontal is approximately 35°

D Monitor placed so there are no reflections from windows or other light sources

4. Work and Rest Rates

Description Yes/No Remark

Try to alternate different tasks with working at computer eg. Photocopying, filing,
A
sending faxes.
If not possible to vary tasks, take 10-minute breaks per hour (or 5 minutes per half
B hour) from using computer; (breaks should not be accumulated). Get up and walk
around.
Take frequent mini pauses by long distance viewing (more than three metres) to rest
C
the eyes eg. Look across room/out of the window.
If you are not a trained word processor, try not to use a computer for hours on end; if
D
this is not possible (eg. While writing reports) do some exercises at your desk.

5. Environment

Description Yes/No Remark

A Noise level

B Fresh air

C Lighting (adjustable to reduce glare (ie. high contrast)

D Temperature

E Other (specify)

Notes
They contain general information only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional or legal advice.