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Checklists » Purchasing Guide

This checklist can help you purchase safe and comfortable equipment for your workstation. You can also use it in conjunction with the evaluation checklist.

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MONITORS
1. Make sure the screen is large enough for adequate visibility based on task performed. Smaller units will make it difficult to read characters and larger units may require excessive space.
2. The angle, tilt and height should be easily adjustable.
3. If multiple monitors are used, enough space and clearance are provided for them. The monitor that is used most should be in front of the employee.
4. Provide a docking station for laptop computers so the monitor can be placed in the best possible location.
Notes:

KEYBOARDS
1. Alternative keyboard designs such as split keyboards may make it easier to maintain neutral wrist postures.
2. The cords that plug into the computer should be long enough to allow the user to place the keyboard, the input device, and the computer in a variety of positions. At least six feet of cord length is desirable.
3. Consider a keyboard without a 10-key keypad if the task does not normally require one. Keyboards without keypads allow the user to place the mouse closer to the keyboard. If the task does require one occasionally, providing a keyboard with a separate 10-key keypad may be appropriate.
4. Provide an external keyboard and input device for laptops and tablets. Laptop keyboards are generally not suitable for prolonged typing tasks since they may be smaller than desired, have hard edges that come in contact with the arms, and force the keyboard to be excessively far away for proper viewing of keyboard.
Notes:

KEYBOARD TRAYS
1. Keyboard trays should be wide enough and deep enough to accommodate the keyboard and any peripheral devices, such as a mouse. Consider the shape and size of the keyboard if a keyboard tray is used.
2. If a keyboard tray is used, the minimum vertical adjustment range (for a sitting position) should include 22 inches to 28.3 inches from the floor.
3. Keyboard trays should allow for easy height and tilt adjustments and lock securely into position. Units that rely on knobs or levers can be over tightened and become stripped over time. This can make it difficult for some to adequately tighten or loosen.
Notes:

DESKS AND WORK SURFACES
1. The desk area should be deep enough to accommodate a monitor placed at least 20 inches away from your eyes.
2. Ideally, the desk should have a work surface large enough to accommodate a monitor, a keyboard and an input device. Room for additional items needed for work (eg. Source documents, telephone) may necessitate a larger worksurface.
3. Keyboard height should be adjustable between 22 inches and 30 inches for seated tasks and 36 to 46.5 inches for standing tasks. The keyboard height should be at about elbow height. Adjustability between seated and standing heights is desirable.
4. Purchasing a fixed-height desk may require the use of a keyboard tray to provide adequate height adjustment to fit a variety of users.
5. There should be sufficient space for the items used most often, such as keyboard, mouse, and monitor directly in front of the user.
6. There should be sufficient space underneath for the legs while sitting in a variety of positions. The minimum under-desk clearance depth should be 17.6 inches for knees and 24 inches for feet. Clearance width should be at least 20.8 inches and 20 inches for knee height.
7. Desktops should have a matte finish to minimize glare. Avoid glass tops.
8. Avoid sharp leading edges where arms contact work surfaces. Rounded or sloping surfaces are preferable.
Notes:

DOCUMENT HOLDERS
1. The document holder needs to be stable but easy to adjust for height, position, distance, and viewing angle.
2. If a monitor screen is the primary focus, purchase a document holder that will sit next to the monitor at the same height and distance.
3. If the task requires frequent access to the document (such as writing on the document) a holder that sits between the keyboard and monitor may be more appropriate.
Notes:

WRIST RESTS
1. Wrist rest should match the front edge of the keyboard in width, height, slope, and contour.
2. Pad should be soft but firm. Gel type materials are recommended.
3. Wrist rest should be at least 1.5 inches deep (depth away from the keyboard) to minimize contact pressure on the wrists and forearm.
4. Wrist rests were designed to be used when resting and their use should be minimized when actively keying.
Notes:

CHAIRS
It is recommended for the user to try out the chair for comfort and fit over an extended period of time prior to purchase. The following criteria may not accommodate all individual body types.
1. The chair should be easily adjustable.
2. The chair should have a sturdy five-legged base with proper chair casters that roll easily over the floor or carpet.
3. The chair should swivel 360 degrees so it is easier to access items around your workstation without twisting.
4. Seat height should adjust from 15 to 22 inches.
5. Seat pan length should be 15 inches to 17 inches.
6. Seat pan width should be at least as wide as the user's thighs. A minimum width of about 18 inches is recommended.
7. Seat pan tilt should have a minimum adjustable range of about 5 degrees forward and backward.
8. Front edge of the seat pan should be rounded in a waterfall fashion.
9. Material for the seat pan and back should be firm, breathable, and resilient.
10. The seat pan depth should be adjustable. Some chairs have seat pans that slide forward and backward and have a fixed back. On others the seat pan position is fixed and the backrest moves horizontally forward and backward so the effective depth of the seat pan can be adjusted. Beware of chairs where the back only tilts forward and backward. These may not provide adequate adjustment for many users.
11. The backrest should be adjustable and should provide lumbar support that matches the curve of the lower back. The top of the backrest should be at least 17.7 inches above the compressed seat pan and 14.2 inches width (ANSI).
12. The backrest should allow a recline of at least 15 degrees and should lock into place for firm support.
13. If the backrest reclines more than about 30 degrees from vertical, a headrest should be provided.
14. Armrests should be removable and the distance between them should be adjustable. They should be at least 16 inches apart.
15. Armrest height should be adjustable between 7 inches and 10.5 inches from the seat pan. Fixed height armrests are not desirable, especially for chairs that have more than one user.
16. Armrests should be large enough (in length and width) to support the forearms without interfering with the work surface.
17. Armrests should be padded.
18. Most chairs are designed for weights under 275 pounds. If the user weighs more than 275 pounds, the chair must be designed to support the extra weight.
Notes:

INPUT DEVICES
1. Choose an input device based on the requirements of the task and any user physical limitations.
2. An input device should match the size and contour of the user’s hand. Traditional mice come in different sizes. A variety of different types of mice are also available including touchpads, trackball, vertical, and roller mouse. Choices should be made based on user ability, task requirements, and preference. For instance a mouse that provides better posture for the hand may not be able to be used by either hand.
3. Use a cordless mouse if at all possible to achieve greatest freedom of placement for the mouse.
4. Place the mouse as close to the keyboard as possible. A detachable number keypad can be used to minimize reach.
5. Some users may prefer a mouse that can be used with either hand.
Notes:

TELEPHONES
1. If task requirements mandate extended periods of manual tasks such as typing while using the phone, use a telephone with a "hands-free" cordless headset or speaker feature.
2. "Hands-free" headsets should have volume adjustments and volume limits.
Notes:

DESK LIGHTING
1. Good desk lighting depends on the task being performing. Use bright lights with a large lighted area when working with printed materials. Limit and focus light for computer tasks.
2. The location and angle of the light sources, as well as their intensity levels, should be fully adjustable.
3. Task lighting should have a large base and articulated supports that allow a range of positions or extensions. It should have a hood to direct light to a specific area and may have a diffuser to allow reduced lighting of the area for general lighting or to reduce the harshness of the light.
Notes:

SIT-STAND WORKSURFACES
1. A height adjustable worksurface is desireable as it accommodates many almost all users when partnered with a height adjustable chair and provides for regular changes in work postures. In the standing mode it provides improved access to items on the work surface such as larger or multiple paper documents. Adjustment mechanisms should raise and lower easily and smoothly.
2. Tabletop sit-stand units must accommodate the size, weight and quantity of computer equipment.
3. Tabletop sit-stand units need to fit securely on the worksurface and raise/lower easily.
4. Comfortable and supportive shoes should be worn while standing.
Notes:

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Checklists » Purchasing Guide