Ergonomics: visual and physical

BACKGROUND

Overuse of the same muscles and ligaments while trying to adjust to static furniture or equipment over time can cause discomfort and strain the body, especially in occupational environments that require repetitive tasks. Under such conditions, the effects of even slight visual or physical discomfort are compounded, leading to decreased occupant comfort and focus.

Skeletal

Muscular

Part 1
Visual Ergonomics

VERIFICATION

The following requirement is met:

a.⁸³

All computer screens, including laptops, are adjustable in terms of height and distance from the user.

Letter of Assurance
Owner On Site
Spot Check

Part 2
Desk Height Flexibility

VERIFICATION

At 30% of workstations that are at seated height or similar work surfaces, users have the ability to alternate between sitting and standing through one of the following:

Adjustable height sit-stand desks.

Desk-top height adjustment stands.

Pairs of fixed-height desks of standing and seated heights (which need not be located adjacent to each other).

Letter of Assurance
Owner On Site
Spot Check

Part 3
Seat Flexibility

VERIFICATION

Occupant furnishings are adjustable in the following ways:

a.¹⁷⁸

Workstation chair height adjustability is compliant with the HFES 100 standard or BIFMA G1 guidelines.

b.¹⁷⁸

Workstation seat depth adjustability is compliant with the HFES 100 standard or BIFMA G1 guidelines.

Letter of Assurance
Owner On Site
Spot Check

Part 4
Standing Support

VERIFICATION

Workstations in which occupants are required to stand for extended periods of time include the following amenities:

a.¹²⁸

At least 10 cm [4 in] of recessed toe space at the base of the workstation to allow decreased reaching requirements for occupants.

b.¹²⁸

A foot rest to allow occupants to alternate resting feet.

c.¹²⁸

Anti-fatigue mats or cushions.

Letter of Assurance
Owner On Site
Spot Check

	Core & Shell	New & Existing Buildings	New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Visual Ergonomics	-	P	P
Part 2: Desk Height Flexibility	-	P	P
Part 3: Seat Flexibility	-	P	P

	Commercial Kitchen	Education	Multifamily Residential	Restaurant	Retail
Part 1: Visual Ergonomics	-	P	-	-	-
Part 3: Seat Flexibility	-	P	-	-	-
Part 4: Standing Support	P	P	-	P	P

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	On-Site Assessment
Part 1: Visual Ergonomics	Owner	Spot Check
Part 2: Desk Height Flexibility	Owner	Spot Check
Part 3: Seat Flexibility	Owner	Spot Check
Part 4: Standing Support	Owner	Spot Check

Standard Citations

83

**Business + Institution Furniture Manufacturers Association. BIFMA Ergonomics Guideline Ultimate Test for Fit. Grand Rapids: Business + Institution Furniture Manufacturers Association; 2013: 3.**
73.1.a	BIFMA’s Ergonomics Guideline for Furniture Used in Office Work Spaces Designed for Computer Use recommends monitors be positioned at heights that permit seated or standing users to view the entire monitor display quickly and with little effort.

**128**

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Labor; 2004: 15-17.
73.4.b	The OSHA Guidelines state that "Placing a foot on a footrest or other support will promote comfort."
73.4.a	The OSHA Retail Guidelines say to "Provide adequate toe space (at least 4 inches) at the bottom of the workstation. Toe space allows cashiers to move closer to the checkstand, decreasing reaching requirements."
73.4.c	The OSHA Guidelines state that "Good quality anti-fatigue mats reduce back and leg fatigue."

**178**

Business + Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association. BIFMA G1 - 2013 Ergonomics Guideline: Ergonomics Guideline for Furniture Used in Office Work Spaces Designed for Computer Use. 2013.; and Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. ANSI/HFES 100-2007 Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstations. 2007.
73.3.a	HFES standards accommodate at least 90% of the North American workforce. The BIFMA G1 provides recommendations for sizing furniture to accommodate the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male of the North American population.
73.3.b	HFES standards accommodate at least 90% of the North American workforce. The BIFMA G1 provides recommendations for sizing furniture to accommodate the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male of the North American population.

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

Ergonomics: visual and physical

Ergonomics: visual and physical

BACKGROUND

Part 1 Visual Ergonomics

Part 2 Desk Height Flexibility

Part 3 Seat Flexibility

Part 4 Standing Support

Applicability Matrix

Verification Methods Matrix

Standard Citations

Part 1
Visual Ergonomics

Part 2
Desk Height Flexibility

Part 3
Seat Flexibility

Part 4
Standing Support