Zenith Insurance Company: What's Your EQ?

Ergonomics relates to how people interact with machines. A workplace that's designed to suit employees' needs and capabilities allows them to operate at peak productivity. While it's sometimes impossible to make a workplace ergonomically perfect, you can plan and design a safe, comfortable workstation.

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To evaluate the workspace you currently provide for your employees, and their work habits, rate each of the following areas on a 1 to 10 scale (1 = never; 5= half the time; 10 = always) and enter the number in the box provided.

		They sit up straight, maintaining the spine's natural curve.
		They sit well back in the chair in a comfortable position.
		They adjust their chair seat and back to form a 90-degree angle.
		The top of the computer screen is at, or slightly below, eye level.
		Keyboard position allows their wrists to remain straight while typing, with their arms relaxed and their elbows at an approximate 90-degree angle.
		The screen is 18 inches to 28 inches from their eyes and its angle has been adjusted for comfort.
		Their feet point forward toward the work station and remain flat on the floor (or on a footrest).
		They adjust the copy stand to the same height as the screen or keep it in front of them to maintain a natural neck posture.
		They adjust lighting to minimize glare on the screen.
		TOTAL

If your total score is 70 or above, your workplace is in good shape. If your score is below 70, pay more attention to ergonomics in order to keep employees healthy and productive.

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