Workspace Observation
HCI 450 – Lawler
DePaul University Summer II 2001
Jeffrey Absher xxx-xx-xxxx
The assignment’s objective is to observe the factors that contribute to the usability of workspaces in an office setting.
Using a checklist provided at http://www.office-ergo.com/a.htm , the observer inspects and critiques an office when unoccupied. A structured interview is then performed in the office with the occupant. Finally the observer spends time watching the participant at work.
The primary elements of the subject’s job include talking on the phone, responding to email and instant messaging, and meeting with employees and coworkers. Generally the office environment has few factors that contribute to ergonomic and stress related injuries or problems.
The most prevalent factor is lighting. The office (being a manager’s office) is blessed with a 10th-floor view of Schaumburg, IL. While an office with a large window may appear impressive to visitors, it is not conducive to computer use. The window creates high-glare and contrast issues. The subject has his screen oriented perpendicular to the light rays and is using a flat screen. Somewhat effective blinds are present, but they do not alleviate the glare or brightness acceptably. Most work is performed during the day in this office therefore the contribution of overhead fluorescent lighting is negligible. Fluorescent lights are in working order and not flickering.
The computer is a ThinkPad with integrated “eraserhead” mouse pointer, wrist-rest and rounded edges. The inherent problems with notebook use are present. Because the keyboard and the monitor must be close together, the keyboard is positioned too high and the monitor is too low. As well, there are no “mousing breaks” during extended typing because the hands stay on the keyboard for pointer functions. But the user’s natural desire for typing comfort forces the monitor to stay at least the recommended 2 feet from his eyes. With a small keyboard, one might expect excessive ulnar deviation; this is not present. Generally wrist and forearm position and straightness are acceptable to the user, but the elbow angles are significantly less than 90°. The ThinkPad has adjustable contrast and a clean, flat screen. A telephone headset (adjustable for either ear) is present and used frequently. The phone is within the secondary reach envelope of the subject. The phone does have full speakerphone functionality. The headset and handset cords are not long enough to allow the subject to do much more than stand while using the phone.
The desk is the recommended U-shape. It does not have rounded edges. It is all at a single level which is too high for a keyboard. There is an unused keyboard drawer/tray under the location of the ThinkPad that inhibits knee space. The office is smaller than 10’x10’ therefore the subject has little chance to focus on far objects without looking out the bright window and causing his eyes to adjust to different light levels in the process. Overhead bins and low drawers are present, but the subject uses them once a day or less often. Office policy states that drawers and enclosures must be locked; the subject has adapted his work habits to a more paperless office because locking and unlocking is a slow process. Approximately twice per month, the building operation group invokes diesel generators at the base of the building and causes the entire building to noticeably vibrate. The chair is adjustable in height and the backrest is adjustable. The armrests are padded and are vertically adjustable, but they are not adjustable horizontally. The chair has rollers, it swivels and the seatback can be locked or can allow “rocking.” There are no footrests. The drawers and cabinets have hard, right-angled edges.
The subject has some bad habits. He is a tall person and tends to slouch in the chair, but his feet touch the ground. This slouching causes his neck to not be straight. His elbows are often splayed. He seems to prefer to twist his head and torso though the chair easily swivels; the only external factor possibly contributing to this preference is the unused keyboard tray impeding knee-space. Documents are present for reading while typing, but they not at the same angle as the screen. No peering or squinting is observed, but the idea of resting the focusing mechanisms of the eyes is novel to the subject. Outside of work, the subject does play racquetball, which could contribute to wrist stress. With regard to his wrists and his typing, most aspects are good except a tendency to forcefully press the keys.
The windows in the office should be tinted and high-quality blinds should be installed. There should be various desk heights or an adjustable desk if the subject wishes to continue using a ThinkPad as opposed to a docking station (ThinkPad use is his current preference.) Desk edges should be rounded, as should cabinet corners and drawer corners. The unused keyboard tray should be removed. The chair should have horizontally adjustable armrests. The subject should acquire a document stand if documents are consulted often during computer entry. Subject training is needed as well to prevent slouching, to prevent trunk and neck swiveling, to prevent key pounding, and to promote more frequent breaks. Positive aspects that should be maintained include the general aspects of the chair, the desk shape and layout, the phone headset and speakerphone and the distance between the subject’s eyes and screen. Unexpectedly, wrist position including the absence of ulnar deviation is excellent. The two most pressing recommendations are to fix the lighting and to habit-train the subject. In general, this office is a reasonably good place for the tasks that are performed in it.
Workspace design and observation is a complex task requiring that tradeoffs be made. The most important element is adjustability. For the user to have the ability to mould the workspace to his personal measurements and preferences solves many problems. The non-adjustable components of a workspace should be designed with general safety and comfort in mind. Examples of the non-adjustable design decisions include: desks should have rounded edges, lighting should not flicker, padded carpet should be present where possible, and screens should be anti-glare. In addition to adjustability where possible and good design decisions on non-adjustable aspects, the user should be introduced to proper habits and techniques to prevent injury. Taken together, these three aspects will contribute to efficient and productive work environments.