Why Fresh Perspectives Matter in Ergonomics - Even at Home
by Joanne Allpress
When I moved house recently, I was excited to create a comfortable space for my home office. As an ergonomist, I knew exactly what I should do: ensure adequate lighting with suitable window coverings, make sure my sit-stand desk could rise to my standing elbow height, position my monitors at the right level, and keep my body in a neutral, supported posture.
Simple.
But I also wanted it to look beautiful.
I needed storage, and there was only one free wall — the one directly above my desk. So I got to work, feeling very self-sufficient, drilling and installing a lovely shelf for trinkets, books and plants. I even took a moment to admire it proudly (and quietly congratulate myself for not needing my husband’s help with the drill).
The next morning, I began to raise my desk to standing height… however…
My monitors were suddenly creeping toward the bottom of the new shelf. In that moment I realised I had done the very thing I encourage clients not to do: I prioritised aesthetics and convenience without considering ergonomics. Fortunately, the height just — and I mean just — worked. The top of my monitors cleared the shelf by about 1cm.
The whole situation made me laugh, but it also reminded me of something important:
It’s incredibly easy to miss things when you’re in your own environment — even when you “know better.”
I’ve seen the same thing during workplace walkarounds: well-intentioned setups that accidentally compromise posture or movement because something else (storage, lighting, decor, etc.) was driving the decision. It also highlights that workstation and ergonomic assessments don’t just apply to “the desk and chair.” Almost everything in your workspace plays a role, including things you may not think fall within the scope at all.
Sometimes it’s the outsider perspective that spots the tiny (or not-so-tiny) issues you’ve become blinkered to.
We’re all human — and even ergonomists can get caught up in wanting a pretty shelf.
If your organisation is considering workstation improvements or wants to ensure employees are working safely and comfortably, an external assessment from an Ergonomist can provide a valuable perspective.
