Ergonomic Solutions for Campus Offices
| Chairs | Keyboard Platforms | Pointing Devices | Wrist Rests | Headsets | Furniture | Get Help | Help Yourself |
Click on images for larger pictures.
Functional seating is the first step towards healthy and productive office environment. The word functional is key - a functional chair supports you in a comfortable position and doesn't forces you into an uncomfortable position. We feature the Global Granada in high or low back for replacement office chairs, and some offices have the KI Piretta Engage chair. These are both functional chairs, featuring adjustability in height, pan depth, pan tilt, tilt resistance, back height, back angle, and arm rest height. Some KI chairs feature arm rest angle adjustability. All chairs come in black only.
Global Granada (High and Low back)
Tye Mesh Back (High and Low back)
For office workers who won't fit in these two alternatives, we offer the Steelcase Criterion+ chair, rated up to 500 pounds, also available only in black.
Steelcase Criterion+
Contact Environmental Health & Safety, in Facilities Services, to get help with office chairs.
Colorado College features the WorkRite BananaBoard for all keyboard platform retrofits. The BananaBoard mouse support slips easily from side to side, allowing users to "mouse left" without tools. Adjust height by pushing down gently on the back of the platform and lifting gently on the front. Adjust the platform angle by tightening or loosening the knob between the platform and the arm (hidden in the picture below). Facilities Services installs these platforms as a maintenance expense. Arrange for this service through Environmental Health & Safety.
Get more information about the Marble Mouse here. Boise Office Solutions carries the Marble Mouse, part number S9904360-0403 (list price 24.95 each, as of 06/05)
If you mouse left, please be sure to reverse the function of the left and right buttons.
You might also look into the Zero Tension Mouse, specifically designed to reduce the pronation often associated with mouse use. Direct from the manufacturer (a local outfit), the ZTM costs about $80. Get more information about the ZTM (including purchase information) here.
Wrist rests help promote neutral wrist position. Neutral wrist position reduces stress on the wrist and forearm caused by chronic flexion (bending) of the wrist. Ideally, computer users should not rest their wrists when typing, as that creates chronic compression on the tender carpal tunnel of the wrist. Foam, neoprene, or gel-filled wrist rests are preferable to any kind of hard wrist support - if computer users find themselves resting their wrists as they type, soft wrist rests do much less damage. Wrist rests are a departmental expense.
Neutral wrist position
(images by Logitech, Incorporated)
The CC Bookstore sells a wide variety of mouse and keyboard wrist rests, as does Boise Office Solutions.
Boise Office Products sells a wrist rest for the Microsoft Natural Keyboard, part number E6WR314MB (list price 24.99 each, as of 10/04).
The BananaBoard keyboard platform takes a clip-on mouse wrist support, available from Boise Office Solutions (part number & list price TO COME). WorkRite designed this wrist rest to move easily from left to right.
Headsets are important tools for people who type while on the phone, or who are on the phone for long periods. Phone users who find themselves cradling the handset between their shoulder and ear put themselves at risk, and should investigate this option. Headsets are a departmental expense.
Communications recommends the Plantronics line of headsets, available from Boise Office Solutions. The Boise catalog has a wide variety of options available. You can review the Plantronics online solution center here, or refer to the Boise catalog.
Environmental Health & Safety uses the Hello Direct Ultralight EX with Pro Amplifier, available from Hello Direct. List price is about $150, which is very competitive with Plantronics solutions from Boise. Find out more about this Hello Direct solution here.
Functional furniture is a capital equipment expense. Annual departmental budget requests should include any requests for furniture replacement. The Budget Office includes a form in the annual instructions to departments for identifying furniture concerns.
Get the draft version of the 2005-6 furniture request form (without current pricing) here. Please do not submit furniture requests except as part of annual departmental budget requests.
Departments with acute furniture needs should contact Environmental Health & Safety for resolution. The cost of replacement functional furniture may require some less expensive quick fixes in the short term, until departments receive capital equipment funding to replace furniture.
Environmental Health & Safety provides consultation and solutions for office ergonomics concerns. We want you to be productive, so we place a high priority on your safety, health, and comfort. Request review of your office ergonomics via:
Back to Facilities Services.
Questions, comments or broken links to report? Email Environmental Health & Safety