Ergonomics in the office - what really counts

An ergonomic workstation in the office is the basis for productive and healthy working. Nevertheless, many workstations in companies are not really ergonomically designed - often because only individual aspects are taken into account.

Companies in Trier and Luxembourg in particular are faced with the challenge of designing modern workplaces that are both ergonomic and efficient. A holistic approach is crucial here.

What factors make a workplace truly ergonomic?

Ergonomics in the office means that the workstation adapts to people - not the other way round.

An ergonomic workplace is taken into account:

• Posture and sitting position
• Movement sequences in everyday working life
• Lighting conditions
• Acoustics in the room
• Individual requirements of employees

If you want to furnish your office ergonomically, you have to consider all these factors together.

The 5 most important factors for an ergonomic workplace

1. ergonomic sitting in the office

An ergonomic workplace starts with sitting. The chair must suit you!

A good office chair is characterised by:

• Dynamic sitting instead of rigid posture
• Individually adjustable backrest counterpressure for low or high weight
• Adjustable seat depth for long or short legs
• Multi-adjustable armrests, customisable in width, depth and height

A common mistake: high-quality office chairs are purchased but never properly adjusted. We do that!

2. the right desk

An office chair and desk make the perfect duo. But not every desk is suitable as an office desk.

An ergonomic desk comes with:

• Adjustable seat height. If the office chair is perfectly adjusted, the desk must also be adjustable
• Sufficient depth of the table top. This is the only way to maintain the correct ergonomic distance from the monitor
• PC holder, monitor holder, small drawers - your new desk should have optional accessories

If you want to get it right from the start, opt for electrically adjustable sit-stand tables.

3. ergonomic lighting

Light is often underestimated as a central component of good office work. LED free-standing luminaires are the first choice here.

A modern LED floor lamp needs:

• outstanding lighting quality that illuminates the entire workstation without glare, in line with IT requirements
• direct-indirect lighting with a high indirect light component for pleasant, low-shadow light
• Adjustable colour temperatures for ideal visual conditions at any age
• a high level of operating convenience

We have put together a blog post about our biodynamic light, which changes in illuminance and light colour during the course of the day to support the biorhythm in a natural way.

4. acoustics in the office

Conversations, phone calls, electronic devices: they all make noise and cause unrest in the office.

We achieve the reduction of these disturbing noises by:

• Partitions and sound absorbers that can be adapted directly to the office furniture
• Ceiling and wall absorbers that make a good impression with a fabric cover or as a photo print
• Partitions or room dividers that have an acoustic effect and can create zones at the same time
• Room-in-room systems such as cubes or mute rooms, which offer self-sufficient rooms with acoustic shielding

Our job is to find the right balance between a call centre atmosphere and a bright and quiet environment. A targeted acoustic measurement on site is the first step.

5. agile working in the office

An ergonomic workplace is only really effective if it can be used flexibly in everyday life. This is exactly where agility comes into play.

Agility in the office:

• Possibilities to easily switch between concentrated individual work and e.g. communicative group work
• Combination of sitting, standing and movement zones
• Utilisation of space instead of being tied to fixed places
• a technical infrastructure that allows easy relocation

Employers often think that if the chair and table fit, the workplace is ergonomic. That's not true. This is precisely the difference between a furnished office and a functioning working environment.

Checklist: Ergonomic workplace

An ergonomic workplace in the office has a direct impact on productivity, health and performance. Despite this, many workstations are only partially ergonomic because crucial factors are not taken into account on a day-to-day basis.

Use this checklist to quickly and specifically check whether your office is really ergonomic - or whether there is a need for optimisation:

• Is my office chair individually adjustable to my height and body weight and do I know how to operate all the chair's functions?
• Do I know my perfect sitting and standing height and can I adjust it quickly and easily at my desk?
• Can I just about touch the monitor with my fingertips? Only then will the distance fit.
• Do I see reflections on my monitor or do I often have to squint my eyes to see content clearly?
• Can I work quietly and undisturbed when I need to and communicate freely when I want to?
• Can I use my technical equipment in several places in the office if I want to?

If several points on this checklist are not fulfilled, there is a concrete need for action. Companies in Trier and Luxembourg in particular benefit from planning their office furnishings holistically instead of just implementing individual measures.

How Warth Büroeinrichtung plans ergonomics holistically

An ergonomic workplace is not created by individual products. It is created through a combination of many individual components. This is exactly where Warth Büroeinrichtung comes in:

Warth analyses

• What is the proportion of focus work and open communication?
• What is your exercise behaviour like in everyday working life?
• How is the existing office furniture being used and where are there gaps?
• What problems arise in terms of noise, posture, lighting, etc.?

Warth plans

• Customisable office furniture that suits the user and use
• Different zones for different tasks
• Flexible concepts instead of rigid workplaces
• More movement in everyday life, without additional effort

Warth provides

• Clear planning and structured implementation
• a selection of durable and functional products
• Comprehensive training and instruction for all users
• smooth running of all trades, including furniture, acoustics, decoration and lighting

Ergonomic workplaces are not created by chance

An ergonomic workplace in the office is not created by individual pieces of furniture, but by a well thought-out overall concept. The interplay of seating, desk, light, acoustics and agile utilisation of the working environment is crucial.

Companies that furnish their offices ergonomically benefit directly:

• Higher productivity
• Fewer absences due to illness
• more satisfied employees

The demand for professional office planning is increasing significantly, particularly in the Trier and Luxembourg area, because standard solutions no longer meet the requirements of modern working methods,

Warth Büroeinrichtung in Trier helps companies to plan ergonomic workstations holistically - from analysis and design to implementation. If you want to furnish your office ergonomically and improve it sustainably, professional planning is the crucial first step.

Have an ergonomic workplace planned in Trier now - request a consultation!