According to the appendix to the ordinance of the Minister of Labour and Social Science dated 1 December 1998 on safety and hygiene of work in work-places equipped with screen monitors the employer is obligated to meet minimum requirements of ergonomics as regards work-places with screen monitors.
The work-place equipment and the arrangement of its elements should not cause any excessive strain on the musculoskeletal system and/or vision and it should not be a source of any danger to an employee.
The appendix to the ordinance and the guidelines to the ordinance include requirements concerning the following elements of a work-place:
1. A screen monitor should guarantee:
- distinct and readable signs on the screen
- stable picture
- easy adjustment of brightness and contrast
- a possibility of bending the screen min. 200 backward and 50 forward and rotation around its own axis at least 600 in both directions
- the screen should be covered with anti-reflex layer or should have an appropriate filter and be put in such a way in order to limit the glare and reflection of light
- a possibility of using a separate base under the monitor or an adjustable table so that the monitor is below the line of an employee’s eyes and the angle of observation is within the range of 20-500 downwards
- should be located within 40-75 cm from an employee’s eyes.
2. A keyboard should:
- be a separate element of the basic equipment of a work-place,
- enable such position which does not make the hand muscles tired,
- have a possibility of adjusting the angle of inclination of 0-150 and suitable height,
- be matt and the signs should be contrastive and legible
- be put within at least 10 cm from the desktop edge
- be placed on the desktop – a keyboard drawer is NOT an ergonomic solution!
3. A desk (table) should:
- allow to conveniently arrange elements of the equipment of a work-place and to adjust the height of the position of a monitor and keyboard (with a lowered platform for a monitor and without a keyboard drawer),
- have the height adjustment within the range between 64 – 84 cm to guarantee a natural position of hands while using a keyboard (there should be at least a right angle between an arm and forearm) and sufficient space to put legs under the desk,
- allow to place the elements of equipment within a suitable distance from an employee, within his reach and without any necessity to take forced positions,
- be matt and bright without sharp edges.
4. A chair should:
- be stable enough and have a base with at least 5 supports including rolling wheels,
- have such dimensions of the backrest and seat to guarantee a comfortable position of the body and freedom of movement,
- have seat height adjustment within the range of 40-50 cm, counting from the floor level,
- have backrest height and tilt adjustment within the range of: 5° forward and 30° backwards,
- have formed pads of the seat and backrest suitable for natural curve of the spine and thigh section of lower limbs,
- have a possibility of revolving around the vertical axis by 360°,
- have armrests.
Mechanisms of the seat height adjustment and backrest tilt adjustment should be easily accessible and simple in use. They should be located in such a place to enable the adjustment in a sitting position.
5. A work-place should be equipped with a document holder if the work requires using and copying documents. The holder should:
- have the adjustment of height, tilt and distance from an employee,
- be located in front of an employee – between the monitor and keyboard, or in other place in a position that minimizes burdensome movements of the head and eyes.
6. At an employee’s request the work-place should have a footrest:
- with a tilt angle of 0-150
- with the height adjusted to the employee’s anthropometric features,
- its surface should not be slippery and the footrest should not move on the floor while using it.
Prepared on the basis of Appendix to the ordinance of the Minister of Labour and Social Science dated 1 December 1998 on safety and hygiene of work in work-places equipped with screen monitors and Ergonomic Report prepared by Prof. J. Nofer Labour Medicine Institute.
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