ArmrestsPrint

A small tool that has a huge impact – how an armrest makes your office workstation extra ergonomic

When you see the state of some office workstations, it’s hard to believe that the term ‘ergonomics’ has been around since 1857. Uncomfortable chairs, non-adjustable desks and computers set at the wrong angle are all still commonplace. But not everywhere, fortunately. Many of the some 32 million office workers have height-adjustable desks and ergonomically designed chairs. You should also consider incorporating an armrest if you’d like to enhance your workstation in an ergonomically sensible way.

72% of all people who work at a desk experience problems

It’s only a small tool, but it can make the world of difference. A cleverly designed armrest can be absolutely invaluable to you. Especially because it can help relieve the strain on your body. This tool is a must-have for the 72% of office workers who suffer from tension in the neck / shoulder area and in their arms and wrists. ‘Mouse arm’ has now mutated into a widespread disease and is known by its scientific name: ‘repetitive strain injury’ (or ‘RSI’ for short). But how should an armrest be designed to help you even though you click the mouse thousands of times a day?

Even correcting your posture slightly is enough

It might just a small change in how you position your hand, but it can have a huge impact. When you use conventional mice and keyboards, your forearms rest on the desk and your wrists bend upwards so you can use both devices. If you use an armrest, your wrists remain in a neutral position; even this small change in position can demonstrably relieve the strain on the arms, the neck and the shoulder areas. An added benefit is that it helps you to maintain a more upright posture, which is healthier for your back.

How to design an ergonomic armrest

Many employers already understand how important dynamics are at a seated workstation. Height-adjustable desks are an extremely valuable resource in this regard, and an armrest can beef up your workstation even more in a way that benefits your back. The important thing in this respect is that the armrest has to be user-friendly, safe and easy to attach to the edges of existing (standing) desk systems without a great deal of technical effort. In this context, experts advise using particularly variable bracket technology. The armrest is simply attached to the edge of the desk and can be easily removed at any time. It’s ideal if the brackets can be adjusted to the thickness of the desktop.

Especially with height-adjustable sit/stand systems, the suspended armrest must also be continuously and securely attached to the desk. This can be ensured by the design and a rubber coating. The armrest must allow you to rest your forearms in a relaxed manner. This is the only position that allows you to operate the mouse and keyboard in a way that meets your physiological needs. Last but not least, it should have a skin-kind, removable and washable cover material.

Checklist

• The most important prerequisite for an armrest is that it does its job well and allows you to rest your forearms in a relaxed manner, thereby allowing you to operate the input devices (keyboard and mouse) physiologically. When combined with an ideally height-adjustable desk or a standing desk system, it must also permit you to position your forearms in a way that benefits your back.
• Another basic requirement is that the armrest can be securely fastened to the desktop and doesn’t slip on its own. It must be easy to attach, so it can be removed rapidly when it isn’t needed.
• It’s also advantageous if the armrest can be adapted to desktops of different thicknesses. Ensure that the armrest is attached as horizontally as possible.
• Last but not least, ensure the material is kind to the skin. If your forearms aren’t covered, your skin will be in direct contact with the cover material, and this shouldn’t interfere with your work. The cover must be removable and washable to ensure that hygiene requirements can also be met.

Minimum requirements

• Attachment without any technical effort
• Always securely connected to the desk
• Enables you to adopt a position that benefits your back on (standing) desk systems
• Allows you to rest your forearms in a relaxed manner and therefore operate the input devices (keyboard and mouse) physiologically
• Skin-kind, removable and washable cover material

Products in this sector with the AGR seal of approval

• Ergonomic armrest

Manufacturer

officeplus GmbH Rottweil**
Saline 29
78628 Rottweil
GERMANY
Phone +49741/24 80 4
Fax +49741/24 82 30
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.officeplus.de

Further information

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