Ergonomics

Ergonomic Resources

We recommend you print one or two of these documents to post at your workstation in a visible location to remind yourself of healthy postures!

  • Computer Workstation Setup Recommendations: Use this to review or setup up your computer workstation. This document will guide you through all the ergonomic components at your desk or station.
  • Simple Desk Stretches: These simple desk stretches can be performed at your office location. Please contact EHS for direction on these stretches prior to performing them.  Always follow medical recommendations from your physician or doctor.
  • Workstation Self-Assessment Guide: This is a guidance document to be used to review your workstation. If you complete this document and send it to ehs@humboldt.edu, we will setup an appointment to review your workstation for recommended changes.

Want to learn more? Below are videos from a videos series created by graduate students from the Department of Kinesiology on best practices for remote learning and working during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

HSU Ergonomics: Foam Roller Stretch

HSU Ergonomics: Be Careful

HSU Ergonomics: Wrist Stretches

HSU Ergonomics: Stretches for better desk posture

External Links &  Articles

Purchasing of Ergonomic Equipment and Furniture

Risk Management & Safety Services (RM&SS) performs ergonomic assessments at workstations to ensure safe and healthy postures while working. The assessment includes educational information about ergonomics, impacts on our spine and muscular systems, proper guidance on working heights, assessment of the physical workstation, and other environmental components.

There are certain assessments, which result with the recommendation to purchase equipment and/or furniture to obtain a fully ergonomic workstation. When these recommendations are provided there specific products that are recommended due to a number of criteria including; quality of product, duration of use, familiarity of installing for maintenance, size of workstation, and other factors.

RM&SS can provide options to departments when there are recommendations for new equipment or furniture. Departments are to follow Procurement policies and reference that RM&SS has evaluated the workstation prior to purchase and install request. Additional information about Procurement, visit their website: Procurement – Purchasing and Payment Methods.

Computer Workstation Assessment Process

  • Employee informs their supervisor of the request for a workstation evaluation.
  • Employee, Supervisor or department ASC contacts Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in the Risk Management & Safety Services department for a workstation evaluation.
  • Supervisor or employee should notify the financially responsible party in their department of the potential costs associated with the ergonomic evaluations. (EHS does not have a centralized budget, the costs are responsible at the departmental level.)
  • Employee completes required training (see below)
  • EHS will initiate the evaluation process which can include: assessments, phone and in-person evaluations, and training.
  • The evaluation concludes with certain recommendations, which the department should implement. EHS may also provide information for obtaining the appropriate equipment (vendors, pricing, etc.). The department does have the option to purchase their own equipment as long as they meet the appropriate recommendations.

Requesting an Ergonomic Assessment

Before scheduling an ergonomic evaluation, personnel must complete the “Office Ergonomics” training through CSULearn. After completing the training follow the next steps:

  1. Log into CSULearn on the training and professional development website.
  2. Go the Search icon and search for “Office Ergonomics.”
  3. Launch the training, participate and inform your supervisor and EH&S when you have completed the training.
  4. EH&S will contact you for scheduling of the in-person evaluation as needed after any self-corrections are made.
  5. Certain equipment will require maintenance personnel for installation, you should contact your departments admin support to help facilitate submitting a work request for this. You may also contact EHS for additional questions or information.

Division Links