Guide to Address Ergonomics-Related

Hazards with Computer Workstation

This ergonomics-related hazard identification Tool is provided to help you
identify ergonomics-related hazards that may be present for jobs/tasks performed
at an individual’s computer workstation, where a specific worker may be at an
increased risk of developing an MSI. This tool only identifies whether hazards
exist. It does not assess the level of risk, and this tool alone should not be used to
determine if ergonomics-related hazard controls should be implemented.

IMPORTANT - READ THIS BEFORE USING THIS TOOL

• This tool alone is not enough and should be used with other hazard identification
methods such as analysis of injury, and incident and first aid reports.
• This tool IS NOT intended to be used for:
- Return to work
- Job placement/worker selection
- Assessing the work relatedness of an injury or disorder

Instructions
1 Document the job title or task, date and name of person(s) completing the
worksheet.
2 Observe the worker performing regular work activities at the computer
workstation.
3 Ask the worker for opinions about specific issues that may be hard to observe
(pressure on the back of the knee, repeated trunk bending, adequate lighting, glare).
4 Ask the worker whether they perform a task or adopt an awkward posture
repeatedly or for a long period of time.
5 Check the appropriate box that applies to the job or task for each of the
ergonomics-related hazards listed.
6 Review the contents of the tool with the worker who works at the computer
workstation.
Ask whether additional tasks are performed that were not captured.
7 Attempt to reduce or eliminate ergonomics-related hazards identified using
corrective options. The corrective options listed represent possible solutions,
but are not an exhaustive list.
8 Make notes on any attempts made to reduce or eliminate the ergonomics-
related hazards or on any further actions required.

Module 5 — Guide to Address Ergonomics-Related Hazard with Computer Workstation 1

 Notes:
If the task demands vary from day to day, ask the worker if the activities being
observed are more or less demanding than on a typical day.

• If less demanding, plan to come back when the demands are both more
typical and, if appropriate, higher.
• If more demanding, complete the hazard identification tool. It may be that
ergonomics-related hazards are only a concern when performing specific
tasks/activities. You should also reuse the tool when the demands are more
typical.
• If typical, but there are times when the demands are higher, reuse the tool
when the demands are higher, especially if there are no ergonomics-related
hazards identified when observing typical demands.

Some ergonomics-related hazards, (e.g. aspects of work organization, work

practices) are not addressed in this tool. If these or other ergonomics-related
hazards exist, make note of them and plan to assess whether they contribute
to the MSI risk for individual workers.

Module 5 — Guide to Address Ergonomics-Related Hazard with Computer Workstation 2

 Guide to Address Ergonomics-Related Hazards
with Computer Workstation
Adapted from Manitoba Labour and Immigration – Workplace Safety and Health Division’s Office Ergonomics Risk Factor Checklist

JOB/TASK INFORMATION

JOB TITLE OR TASK:

DATE COMPLETED: COMPLETED BY:

A. CHAIR

IS THE
HAZARD CORRECTIVE OPTIONS
ERGONOMICS-RELATED HAZARDS PRESENT? Potential steps to reduce or eliminate the risk
associated with the ergonomics-related hazard
YES NO

1. Feet cannot rest flat on ‚ Raise/lower chair to allow feet to rest comfortably flat
floor. on floor.
‚ Use footrest if keyboard/desk height requires an
elevated chair.

2. Unable to sit with thighs ‚ Adjust chair height so that feet remain flat on floor or
parallel to the floor, or footrest but thighs are also parallel to floor.
with a slight downward
angle from hips to knees.

3. Front edge of seatpan ‚ Choose a chair with 2-3 fingers width between front
presses into back of edge of chair and back of knees.
knee. ‚ Attach a removable back support cushion to existing
backrest to shorten seat pan.
‚ Choose a chair with a gently curved front edge on seat pan.

4. Chair lumbar support ‚ Raise/lower the back rest so the small of the back is in
NOT supporting the small contact with the most outward curved areas of the back
of the back (i.e. the curve support.
of the lumbar spine). ‚ Place a rolled up towel or attach a removable back
support cushion to existing back support.

5. Space exists between ‚ Arrange workstation to allow proper back support. (i.e.
spine and back rest. position keyboard closer to user, bring monitor closer
to user).
‚ Remove or lower arm rests which may prevent sitting back
fully due to contact with front of desk or keyboard tray.
‚ Replace the seat pan if it's too long and doesn't allow
for sitting back fully in chair.

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 A. CHAIR

IS THE
HAZARD CORRECTIVE OPTIONS
ERGONOMICS-RELATED HAZARDS PRESENT? Potential steps to reduce or eliminate the risk
associated with the ergonomics-related hazard
YES NO

6. Armrests provide If armrests are too low/too high:

inadequate forearm ‚ Add padding to bring them up to a comfortable level.
support when keying or ‚ Only use the armrest during short pauses from typing.
mousing. Hunched ‚ Replace with armrests that can be adjusted to the
shoulders – armrests too correct height.
high; learning to one side – If armrests are too wide:
armrests too low; elbows ‚ Adjust to bring them closer together.
away from the body – ‚ Replace seat pan on chair with a narrower one.
armrests too wide. ‚ Replace with width-adjustable armrests.
NOTES:

B. KEYBOARD AND MOUSE OR OTHER INPUT DEVICE

IS THE
HAZARD CORRECTIVE OPTIONS
ERGONOMICS-RELATED HAZARDS PRESENT? Potential steps to reduce or eliminate the risk
associated with the ergonomics-related hazard
YES NO

1. Wrist is not flat, forearms

not parallel with floor or
‚ Adjust seat height so that keyboard and mouse sits just
below elbow height.
shoulders are tensed
when using keyboard, ‚ Raise or lower adjustable work surfaces in systems
mouse or other input furniture so that they are just below seated elbow
device. height.
‚ Place keyboard and mouse on articulating keyboard
tray and adjust tray height and tilt until wrists are
working in neutral posture.
‚ Retract keyboard feet.
‚ Support arms on armrest when keying or mousing.

2. Wrist is deviated when

using keyboard, mouse or
‚ Ensure adequate space for input device.
input device. ‚ Use an appropriately sized keyboard (e.g. external
keyboard if laptop is used regularly on desk).

3. Reaching to side or front

when using mouse or
‚ Place mouse/input device beside keyboard at same
height.
other input device (i.e. the
elbow is away from side ‚ Use a mouse bridge (i.e. a hard surface that is placed
of body). over number pad on keyboard).
‚ Ensure adequate space on either the desk top or a
keyboard tray for input devices.

NOTES:

Module 5 — Guide to Address Ergonomics-Related Hazard with Computer Workstation 4

 C. MONITOR AND WORKSTATION

IS THE
HAZARD CORRECTIVE OPTIONS
ERGONOMICS-RELATED HAZARDS PRESENT? Potential steps to reduce or eliminate the risk
associated with the ergonomics-related hazard
YES NO

1. Head tilted up/down,

repeatedly or for a long
‚ Raise/lower monitor so that eyes are in line with top
line of text. Monitor may need to be lowered for bifocal
time, while working at wearers if they look at the monitor through the bottom
desk. of their lenses.
‚ If using a number of paper documents, use document
holder that sits between the worker and the monitor.

2. Head turned to the side,

repeatedly or for a long
‚ Position monitor directly in front of user.
time, when working. ‚ Place documents on holder located in line with the
computer.

3. Neck tilted to the side, (i.e.

holding phone between
‚ Maintain one hand on phone.
ear and shoulder). ‚ Use a hands-free system (e.g. headphone).

4. Head is not directly over

spine (i.e. the head is
‚ Arrange workstation to allow for proper posture, (e.g.
sit back in chair, pull keyboard to user, change
forward and the chin is location/height of monitor).
out).

5. Hard/sharp objects press ‚ Move keyboard/input devices to the edge of desktop to

into skin (e.g. wrist, elbow avoid resting hand/wrist on edge.
or forearm resting on a ‚ Use a wrist rest for support during pauses in keying.
hard edge/surface). ‚ Pad sharp edges on desktop with foam.
‚ Replace object with objects with rounded edges.
‚ Install keyboard tray with wrist rest for support during
pauses in typing.

6. Twisting of torso (e.g. ‚ If user is right-handed, arrange accessories (except

reaching behind or across telephone) to the right of the computer.
the body). ‚ Locate telephone on the left in order to answer with the
left hand and take notes with the right. Opposite set-up if
left handed.
‚ Determine which accessories are used most frequently
and locate them closest to the user.
‚ Encourage users to stand up when retrieving items
behind them.

7. Inadequate clearance ‚ Remove materials underneath desk.

under desk for legs. ‚ Raise desktop surface for taller individuals, or chair may
be lowered if knees remain at or slightly below the hips.
‚ Install keyboard tray to increase distance between
monitor and desktop and provide more leg room.

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 8. Repeated or prolonged ‚ Where possible, perform filing on a desk surface, or
trunk bending (e.g. filing other surface that allows for neutral back postures.
documents).

NOTES:

D. ENVIRONMENTAL

IS THE
HAZARD CORRECTIVE OPTIONS
ERGONOMICS-RELATED HAZARDS PRESENT? Potential steps to reduce or eliminate the risk
associated with the ergonomics-related hazard
YES NO

1. Too much/too little light. ‚ Reduce the amount of light in work area, especially from
ceiling-mounted light fixtures.
‚ Use low gloss, off-white colour on surfaces.
‚ Use appropriate task lighting.

2. Glare on monitor. ‚ Prevent source of glare from reaching monitor, (i.e. use
opaque vertical blinds, use glare screens).
‚ Place monitor at right angles to windows.
‚ Use LCD monitors.

3. Temperature is less than ‚ Raise/lower temperature to individual comfort.

o o
20 C or more than 24 C ‚ Wear more/less warm clothing.
(dependent on individual ‚ Use individual heaters where appropriate.
comfort and season).

NOTES:

Module 5 — Guide to Address Ergonomics-Related Hazard with Computer Workstation 6