TO:

Michelle, Chiropractic Centre Trenton

FROM:

Teresa Collicott

DATE:

October 24, 2016

SUBJECT: Ergonomics Evaluation

We are learning about Ergonomics as it applies to the work place in our Technology and
Office Procedures Class. The scope of the project includes observing and evaluating a
work space in an office setting based on The 10 Principles of Ergonomic Design, by
Dan MacLeod, which include:
1. Work in neutral postures to maintain natural curve of spinal column
2. Reduce excessive force using proper lifting techniques when needed
3. Keep everything in easy reach as in a semi circle to keep things accessible
4. Work at proper heights most work should be positioned at elbow height
5. Reduce excessive motions repetitive motions should be minimized
6. Minimize fatigue and static load changing positions to avoid fatigue
7. Minimize pressure points as in forearms on the desk, knees against a chair
8. Provide clearance making sure you have enough space
9. Move, exercise, and stretch take energy breaks, walk around
10. Maintain comfortable environment keep workspace organized
I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to evaluate your workspace factoring in the
above principles, and to get your opinion of whether or not you feel your work space is
ergonomically functional for you. You were my first choice for this assignment, as I
believe that a chiropractors office would have a high standard in regards to ergonomics
and the awareness of health concerns that can arise when a work space is not
functional.
The checklist I have evaluates a number of elements of your work area, including
questions regarding your chair, desk, computer, monitor, and lighting, to name some of
them. Your time, input and opinions are of great value and I look forward to sharing
what I learn from you with others in my class.

ERGNOMIC OFFICE WORKSTATION

NAME: Michelle Avery

LOCATION: Chiropractic Centre Trenton

OFFICE CHAIR

Is chair the proper height so that their feet are on the floor?

CONTACT: 613-392-4008

SATISFIED?

COMMENTS

yes

Use drafting chairs

Is the seat span large enough?

yes

Does the seat have a tilt function?

yes

Is the backrest adjustable to provide torso-to-thigh angle 93-113?

yes

Are the armrests at the proper height?

yes

Are the armrests adjustable?

yes

Does the base of the chair have 5 legs and casters?

yes

COMPUTER MONITOR

Is the monitor adjustable and at the right height?

It is the proper distance from the person one arms length?

SATISFIED?
yes

Is it directly in front of the person?

yes

Does it have adjustable contrast and brightness?

yes

KEYBOARD

Is the keyboard at the right height to allow the arms to be at 90?

yes

Is it angled to reduce stress and repetitive strain?

yes

MOUSE

Is the mouse at the same level as the keyboard, avoid reaching?

yes

Is there a mousepad or rest?

yes

LIGHTING

COMMENTS

yes
x

Is it an ergonomic mouse that reduces strain?

More angles available

than regular office chairs

SATISFIED?

SATISFIED?

Closer due to vision

COMMENTS

COMMENTS

yes

Not needed

SATISFIED?

COMMENTS

What type of lighting is there?

yes

Fluorescent

Is there a lot of glare?

no

Looking at changing

Are the walls a neutral color?

yes

Is there blinds to reduce window glare?

yes

Is there many shiny surfaces that could reflect glare?

yes

Shiny surfaces are higher

than desk area

OTHER

SATISFIED?

COMMENTS

yes

Dislikes hands free

Is the phone system hands-free?

Is there a documents holder used if needed?

yes

Is the workstation organized and everything within reach?

yes

How often and how long do you work at your work station?

yes

Do you take regular breaks?

Does your company do anything beyond normal to minimize the

potential for health concerns related to your work space?

Extra measures taken ~Chiropractic care provided at no charge

~Workstation adapts to allow for standing

Up to 4 hours
As needed

Yes,
extremely

See below

~Yoga ball under desk for feet and legs

~Ability to get up and walk around as needed

ERGONOMICS WORKSTATION EVALUATION REPORT

For my Ergonomics Workstation Evaluation, I chose to meet with the Administrative Assistant at my
Chiropractors office. I chose this office because being in the field of chiropractic care, I was curious to
see if the standard of ergonomics was any higher than in a typical office environment.
The lady I met with is Michelle Avery, and she is the Administrative Assistant at the Chiropractor Centre
in Trenton, Ontario, working for Dr. Craig Cocek. Michelle pretty much runs the office, and does the
majority of patient appointments, filing, follow up, insurance tasks, and other duties. I have personally
been receiving chiropractic care from Dr. Cocek for two years, and I wouldnt go without it now for my
personal health care. The whole team at Dr. Coceks office are advocates of holistic wellness methods,
as a source of primary health care without drugs and the traditional medical approach. I was very
interested to see the extent of which they practice what they preach.
I went through my list of questions with Michelle, and she was honest with her answers and showed me
a number of different aspects of her work station. The elements of her work space include a number of
ergonomically designed features, including the use of chairs that are usually used by such trades as
architecture and drafting. These chairs have more angles and tilts possible than even some of the most
expensive office chairs, and were well researched before they were purchased. The desk of the office is
a two tiered, semicircle shape so everything is within easy reach. The keyboard and mouse components
of the computer are on a slide out tray so that they are at elbow height. The desk also has a feature that
allows the person to stand and work if they so choose. Michelle has a yoga ball positioned under the
desk in front of her chair, which she utilizes to take pressure off of her lower back and legs when
needed. The desk is completely walled from clients, so the yoga ball is not seen by anyone. I never knew
she had one until this evaluation was done. Although the lighting is florescent, Michelle says she doesnt
notice it bothering her, and the walls are a neutral color and the windows have shades. There are no
windows in close vicinity of the desk itself. The computer monitor is large and has the adjustable height
and tilt features, but there is some glare from the lighting. Michelle has the monitor a bit closer than
one arms length due to her own vision comfort. The computer mouse is not an ergonomic one, but is a
definite upgrade from the standard models most people have at home. Although she has the capability
of having the phone system hands free, she prefers not to as she personally hates the ear pieces and
head sets. Her phone conversations are usually brief and do not involve her holding the cordless hand
set for periods longer than a few minutes.
In reference to breaks and length of time spent at the work station, Michelle and her coworker Joanne
both get up and walk around the office whenever they feel they need to. The office does not follow
standard office hours, as they are usually only open for either mornings or afternoons from Monday to
Thursday. The longest span of time the office is open is four hours, so there is no real worry of sitting for
extended periods of time. They have never had an actual Ergonomic Assessment completed, but
everyone that works in the office is very conscious of the impact of that kind of work on the spine and
body in general due to the nature of their business. If Michelle feels something needs to be changed or
modified, Dr. Cocek is always accommodating and gets her whatever she feels she needs. He provides
free chiropractic care for her and Joanne on a consistent basis, purchased the yoga ball for her, and
creates an environment that is comfortable enough for both Michelle and Joanne to ask for whatever
they feel they need.

In regards to things that could be improved, one of the things that could be changed would be the
lighting in the office. The florescent lights cause a lot of glare on the computer monitor, and Michelle
would like to explore other options to address that, even if it just comes down to getting a glare shield.
It might have something to do with how close she feels the monitor needs to be. The only other
opportunity for improvement that I could see would be the purchase of an ergonomic mouse, but that is
not something that Michelle feels she needs. The nice part is that if she wants it, she will get it.
Although I suspected that the standard of ergonomic function would be higher in this office compared
to others, I was surprised myself at the number of ergonomically correct pieces of equipment utilized in
this office. It really makes a difference when the place at which you work actually cares about the
physical wellbeing of its staff, which Dr. Cocek obviously does. There is a level of awareness in this type
of office that probably isnt typical in most, and Michelle and Joanne are extremely happy and loyal and
productive employees. Ironically, I asked my manager at the grocery store I work at today how old the
anti-fatigue mats are that we stand on at cash, and the answer I got was three years old, and they have
a life expectancy of ten years. While said in a joking tone, it just confirmed for me how little my
employer actually cares about my physical wellbeing. I sincerely hope I work in an office environment
that cares, as opposed to one that doesnt!