Ergonomic Furniture

COVID-19 has made it necessary for businesses to rethink their workplace design. It has become especially important for workplace settings where employees are typically seated near one another. Many companies that once adopted for an open floor plan to encourage collaboration are now facing increased risks of virus transmission, which is a serious concern during this pandemic. The good news is that there is a solution. Privacy Panels, also called sneeze guards, barrier screens and partitions, offer an easy way to update workstations with a protective barrier. Here are some benefits that these barrier screens can offer your office.

The Advantages of Using Office Privacy Panels

Social Distancing

It is common for germs and sickness to spread among workers within a matter of days in traditional office spaces. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 from spreading, it is important to prioritize social distancing as much as possible.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends altering the workspaces to maintain social distancing. This would include keeping a minimum of six feet between employees by configuring partitions as a barrier shield. Temporary partitions, such as privacy panels and clear plastic sneeze guards, help people stay physically isolated to their individual workstations in an otherwise crowded office.

More Privacy

Partitions can also boost employee privacy by creating walls around desks that segregate work areas. Even if the panels are transparent, they offer enough separation to minimize distractions from other areas and give employees a sense of personal space. This can also make them feel much more comfortable and confident in their well-being, allowing them to focus better on their job.

Space-Saving

In comparison to conventional cubicles that are bulky and consume quite a bit of valuable workspace, privacy panels are lightweight and can be easily folded and configured to take up less square footage. This makes it simple to relocate them from one area to another or arrange them around to accommodate different sized furniture. By maximizing the use of space, the barrier screens can promote greater productivity and efficiency.

If you are looking to provide protection for your employees and customers in an easy and affordable manner, contact us at 314-994-0500 or [email protected] today and we can help spec out the best panel for your needs.

It's hard to believe the new school year is right around the corner. For parents choosing homeschooling over traditional classroom settings, we’ve created a list of products that can enhance your child’s learning experience. We can’t help you teach common core math, but we can give you the right tools to make homeschooling more comfortable for your family.  

• Height Adjustable Tables are perfect if you have multiple kids and need to utilize space. With multiple sizes and colors to choose from, you can find a table to match your room décor. Help keep your kids focused on school work by switching from sitting to standing throughout the day. This not only promotes circulation but can aid in productivity and reduce stress. 

• Mobile Height Adjustable Workstations are great choices for small spaces and use with laptops. They can be conveniently stored out of the way when not in use. Many have locking casters to allow for stationary use. Worried about your children fighting over space? Multiple stations can keep kids from arguing over “who is touching whos’ space”. You’re already becoming a teacher, no need to add “referee” to your resume too. 

• Ergonomic Chairs can be tailored to fit your child’s individual needs such as seat size, arms, memory foam, or casters. We offer many fabric styles and colors so your child can express their personality while feeling comfortable. Kitchen table chairs can enhance “the wiggles” from your child trying to get into a comfortable position. Quality ergonomic chairs can keep your child focused on their schoolwork. We even offer a student chair and little person task chair to fit your young or short-statured child. Our products won’t be typical chairs you can find at local retail office shops. Our experts can advise you of the best options to fit your child. 

• Document Holders allow your child to keep their paperwork or book within reach to reduce neck and upper body pain. Involve your kids with the decision making. VuRyte has fun colors to choose from including blue and pink!

• Task Lights play an important part in reducing headaches and eye fatigue while increasing work efficiency. Make sure your child is working in a well-lit room and their screen is not facing a window. The direct glare from the sunlight can cause the brain to have trouble adapting between the bright window and dark screen. 

• Laptop Accessories provide comfort without the need to buy a whole new computer system. Working on laptops incorrectly can lead to body aches from hunching over, shoulder cramps, and repetitive strain injuries.  When combined together laptop stands, keyboards, and mice improve your posture, reduce neck and shoulder pain, and decrease your risk of developing repetitive strain injuries.  Purchase a laptop stand, mouse, and keyboard together and save 10% (price will be adjusted when we ship products).

Along with these products and tips, give your children (and yourself) plenty of breaks throughout the day. Yoga, light stretching, or even an impromptu dance party can keep your child focused, happy, and stress-free. Remember—it’s okay to have no idea what you’re doing. This isn’t a normal time for anyone so be kind to yourself.

If you’d like some help discussing your needs, give us a call at 314-994-0500 or email at [email protected] . We also offer remote ergonomic assessments of your workspace to make the most out of this pandemic! 

Do you sit at your desk all day or for most hours of the day? Studies have shown that several health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and depression have been linked to sitting for long periods during the day. To avoid health risks associated with sitting, some people are using a standing desk instead. If you're not familiar with or need more information about this office solution, these frequently asked questions and answers may help you gain a better understanding of the concept.

Questions & Answers About Standing Desks/Sit-Stands

#1 What are the benefits of using a standing desk or sit-stand?

Studies from Harvard Medical School indicate that standing after eating returned blood sugar levels back to normal quicker than sitting. In addition to that, it substantially reduced shoulder and neck pain. Standing also prevents muscle tightening on the lower back, helping to reduce the risk of injury.

#2 What impact does a standing desk have on productivity?

Standing when working can boost productivity and engagement from employees. One study showed that four out of 10 workers who swapped their standard desk for a standing deck said their performance improved within a one year period. Five out of 10 respondents also said they felt more engaged at work after implementing the change in their working position.

#3 Can I use any table as a standing desk? 

Technically, you can use any table as a standing desk, but only if it is the ergonomically correct height for you. For example, the table should be at the same level or slightly below your elbow height when you're standing straight so that your arms are at a 90 degree angle.

Using a table that doesn't meet the required measurements can cause shoulder and neck pain due to either a too tall or too low elbow height. So, it's best to turn to reputable providers that offer ergonomic tables designed to improve posture and comfort.  

#4 Does using a standing desk mean I will have to stand all day? 

Absolutely not. In fact, standing all day can have just as many negative impacts as sitting all day. The key is to alternate between sitting, standing and moving to help beat inactivity, which can cause musculoskeletal issues. Moving in general is the best practice to reduce risks of health conditions and discomfort.

There are many types of standing desks. There are desktop workstations, that sit on top of your current desk that will adjust up or down. These can be adjusted manually or some offer power solutions. Another option is a height adjustable table. This allows the entire workstation to raise up or down to your comfort.

If you’re looking for ergonomic accessories to make your office more productive, check out our website. Serving clients around St. Louis, MO, for more than 20 years, we offer solutions such as sit-stand workstations, ergonomic chairs, and other related products. Our solutions are designed to make a positive impact on your physical comfort. Call (314) 994-0500, email [email protected] or visit our website today.

Mobile working offers you freedom from the office and increased flexibility to work from anywhere.  Sometimes this means you may end up working in spaces and places that weren’t designed with comfort in mind not to mention ergonomics.

The use of iPads and other touch screen devices provides even easier access to the office and their use has become pervasive in businesses.  The rate of tablet ownership is expected to continue to grow.  Recently a client advised me that they had approved iPads for their employees to use when traveling or working outside of the office which led me to thinking… Is this increased usage giving us back pain or creating other ergonomic challenges?

“...love of our new mobile devices promotes poor postures...”

Yes, according to a study out of Harvard.  Researchers found this love of our new mobile devices promotes poor postures which strain the upper back, neck and shoulders.  All of the ergonomic evils of the laptop are present in these popular devices:  Stressful non-neutral neck postures while looking down at the screen, repetitive forward reaching of the shoulder (shoulder flexion) when touching the screen, and a rotated forearm (pronation).  We have some real concerns with the ergonomic implications of these touch screen devices when used for more than a short period of time. 

“The beauty of tablets and other mobile devices is their flexibility,” says Dr. Jack Dennerlein, director of the Occupational Biomechanics and Ergonomic Laboratory at HSPH (Harvard School of Public Health). “You can use them almost anywhere and in different ways.  You can hold them in your lap, you can hold them in your hand.  The problem is that some of the postures people are in when using a tablet can be awkward and lead to discomfort with prolonged use.” 

Research conducted by Dr. Dennerlein and his colleagues at the HSPH studied four ways that people use tablets:  Lap-Hand (tablet held on the lap); Lap-Case (resting the tablet in its case at an angle on your lap); Table-Case (tablet placed on table in a case angled at a low angle); and Table-Movie (resting the tablet at a steep angle on a table).

The worst way to use your iPad is on your lap which forces the neck to bend forward too much, straining and possibly even injuring muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, or spinal discs. Their research showed that simply placing a tablet on a table propped at a higher angle in a tablet case or support (Table-Movie position) can reduce neck strain and potential pain.  These cases reduce the need to grip the device, and also allow it to be propped up at an angle that keeps the user’s head in a neutral position, minimizing neck strain. And second, give your neck a break.  "Usually we tell people they should change their position every 15 minutes," says Dr. Dennerlein. "Just change your hands, shift your weight. Stand up or sit down."

So, keeping your head in a neutral position may make all the difference in minimizing “iPad” neck strain!

Keep in mind that tablet use also increases the user’s wrist extension when holding the tablet for long periods or when keying.  Gripping an iPad can be forceful in terms of the forearm muscles so if you do need to hold it for extended timeframes alternate left and right hands to avoid static wrist flexion.  Using a grip strap may minimize awkward wrist postures, and avoid a pinch grip when holding the tablet.  It may also prevent an iPad from slipping out of your hands.

The iPad’s compact design with an integrated screen and keyboard forces you to choose between good hand and wrist posture versus good neck posture.  Your best posture depends on how you’re using the tablet. 

If you’re simply viewing the screen without needing to touch it, then elevate the screen and angle it in an upright position.  Touchscreen typing is another story!  Typing on an iPad keyboard for more than a few paragraphs can be frustrating (at least I found it so).  Touchscreen typing is not ergonomically sound and is even more difficult when typing while standing up or holding the iPad with one hand. 

In addition, the screen has a different “touch” than a regular keyboard.   For intensive inputting (keying), consider using an external keyboard that links with Bluetooth connections.  Sit in a comfortable position with your shoulders relaxed and elbows close to your body.  Keep your hands, wrists and forearms in a neutral position. 

If you choose to use an iPad or tablet, remember these were not designed to replace your laptop computer but rather for shorter, quick interactions.  The lightweight and compact design along with its direct access makes it easy to carry and stay connected.   I love the convenience of my iPad and keep finding new ways to increase my productivity.  Keep it short, keep it safe and enjoy your iPad.

Okay, we all shop at the office supply chain stores for basics. Paper is paper, pens are pens and blue or black ink basically "fit all". But when it comes to purchasing your office chair(s) this is not the time to go generic. Oh sure an inexpensive chair is easy on the budget....Depending on how many ibuprofen you pop a day for a sore back or headache. But let's step it down a notch, all the way d...