In many workplaces, multiple workers share the same desk or standing work counter.
However, not all people are created equal and height differences can create challenges. For example, at a grocery store checkout, shorter employees may have soreness in their shoulders and upper back when using the cash register, whereas taller employees may have low-back pain when reaching down to scan items.
This topic has taken on increasing importance in office environments more recently as the use of shared or “hoteling” workstations has become more common. These workstations are shared by many workers but need the flexibility to support different body sizes.
So how can workstations be modified to support many different sizes of workers? There are opportunities to design both seated and standing workstations to fit different workers and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury using both high- and low-cost solutions.
Here’s a look at some of the options for creating spaces that are comfortable for all workers, whether they’re working from seated or standing workstations.
Seated workstations
Selecting the right seating is one of the most critical considerations for seated workstations. An appropriate office chair allows all workers to adjust the chair to fit their body and feel comfortable while sitting.