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Ergonomics are an incredibly important part of the work environment. Incorporating them into your call center furniture strategy not only reaffirms your commitment to a happy and healthy staff, but will also lead to a more focused, efficient and effective work environment.

October is National Ergonomics Month and this article will review some of the basic principles of ergonomics and how they relate to your call center workforce.

Since call centers workers are sitting at computers all day, even a little bit of ergonomic design will go a long way in making them effective and comfortable.The number one concern for call center workers is the development of musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel that result from extended use of cramped or ill-sized keyboards. Carpal tunnel is caused by the repeated compression of the nerves in the wrist. The result is a debilitating pain or numbness of the hands that can easily spread up the arms and into the shoulders and neck. While some stretching exercises can help to prevent the development of carpal tunnel, ergonomically designed keyboards are universally accepted as the best preventative measure.

People vary greatly in size, so adjustable keyboards are generally the easiest and most cost effective way to accomplish comfort for all your workers. Jennifer Way of call center furniture maker Interior Concepts said in an article on the topic, “A properly adjusted keyboard is an essential part of the ergonomic work environment. It is commonly known that correct keyboard positioning and use can help to decrease carpal tunnel syndrome and make working at a computer workstation more comfortable for the user. There are many studies that state one case of carpal tunnel syndrome can cost an employer up to $35,000 per claim, so although the initial investment for these accessories may seem sizable, it will pay off in the long run.”

Keyboard height should allow workers to type with their upper arms hanging relaxed at the shoulders and elbows at roughly right angles, allowing the wrists to be straight. It is also suggested that the tilt of the keyboard is slightly negative to keep the hands in a neutral posture. The mouse of the computer should be positioned at the same height as the computer and as close to the keyboard as possible to obtain the maximum ergonomics.

Though there are more steps and more furniture that will aid in the overall comfort of the employee, focusing on keyboards is an easy and cheap way to keep your workforce happy and protect them from CTS (News - Alert).

For more important tips, be sure to check out Interior Concepts 10 Quick Ergonomic Tips for Call Centers.

Chris DiMarco is a Managing Editor for TMCnet. He holds a master's degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University. Prior to joining TMC (News - Alert) Chris worked with e-commerce provider Suresource as a contact center representative and development analyst. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page. Follow him on Twitter (News - Alert) @cpdimarco.

Edited by Jamie Epstein