Occupational Safety & Health

Office Workstation Guidelines cont'd

Printer/Copiers

Printers and other copying equipment should be located in a well ventilated area as far as is practicable away from workstations.

Screen Interface

It is desirable for the font size (when the zoom function is set at 100%) to be at least 14 point however it should be no less than 12 point for working documents. The font type should be of basic form such as that is Courier or Times New Roman and whenever possible a black font on a white background should be used.

Glasses (Eye Testing)

All staff should take responsibility for having their eyes tested on a biannual basis. Staff who wear glasses may require more frequent testing.

Desktop

Items on the desktop that are used frequently (e.g. phone, 'in' tray, etc) should be located within arms reach from the normal seated position without extending the torso. Moderately used items should be reachable from the seated position (e.g. internal phone book, punch, stapler, etc). All other items should be located off the desk requiring the operator to move from the seated position to retrieve them.

Work Area

The underneath of desks and office area should be kept clear of obstruction and tripping hazards. Cords, wires and other objects should not span walkways or interfere with leg room under desks.

Office Files/Books

Bookcases and shelving should be arranged so that heavy and frequently used materials are placed between knee and shoulder height. Use of a step stool is recommended when retrieving material above shoulder height.

Work Breaks

A minimum break from computer input of 10 minutes should be taken every hour preferable arranged in 5 minute breaks every 30 minutes. Other non-computer based work can be completed during these breaks. The total time spent on computer input should not exceed 4 hours per day.

Lighting

Lighting should be such that it is sufficient to illuminate the working surface without glare. Those experiencing difficulty with lighting should request testing to ensure levels comply with the relevant Australian Standard.

Noise

Noise levels should be minimized as far as practicable to ensure that it does not interfere with staff's ability to perform their duties.