This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

Ergonomics: visual and physical

Ergonomics: visual and physical

Intent: 

To reduce physical strain and maximize ergonomic comfort and safety.

Storage/cabinetry with a flat work surface is not considered a proper standing desk. To be considered a proper standing desk or workstation, furnishings must be primarily used for work and should have enough recessed space beneath them that occupants can stand comfortably at the workstation.

If standing desks are also are characterized as "workstations" to comply with Feature 73 (and/or Feature 71), they are also considered workstations for the purposes of Feature 53, Feature 54, Feature and Feature 57.

No, this does not include furniture that is in the conference rooms or breakout rooms.

No, laptops do not inherently meet the part 1 Visual Ergonomics requirements. While laptops are easily moved closer or further from a user they are not vertically adjustable. Therefore, projects would need to provide furnishings/accessories that allow occupants to raise and lower their laptop to fit the user's needs.

Yes. However, note that projects must consistently apply definitions to their spaces across all features. Thus, if standing desks are also are characterized as "workstations" to comply with Feature 73 (and/or Feature 71), they are also considered workstations for the purposes of Feature 54 and other features that refer to "workstations."

This feature requires that chairs meet either the HFES 100 standard or the BIFMA G1 guidelines for seat height and depth. The HFES 100 standard states the chair height must be adjustable over a range of 11.4 cm (4.5 in), between 38 to 56 cm (15 - 22 in). The BIFMA G1 guidelines state the chair height must be adjustable between (at least) the range of 37.5 cm to 51.2 cm (14.8 to 20.2 in). HFES 100 states the chair seat depth can either be adjustable or fixed, but must be include a depth of 43 cm (16.9 in). BIFMA G1 Guidelines state the chair seat depth can either be adjustable or fixed, but should include a depth of 41.5 cm (16.4 in) or less. The majority of chair specification sheets will provide this information.

Please refer to the published AAP for details on how a project may provide a lower threshold of the required initial percentage of sit/stand workstations in conjunction with a future purchase commitment and an educational campaign.

Yes, there is flexibility in terms of the types of equipment that can be used to make a computer screen height-adjustable.