(ANSI: New York) -- The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), an ANSI-accredited standards developer, recently published ANSI/HFES 100-2007—“Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstations,” a new standard that addresses the design of workstations, furniture, and computer systems. According to the American Chiropractic Association, more than half of all working U.S. citizens admit to having back pain each year, largely attributable to poor workstation posture.

And back pain isn’t the only job hazard facing the nation’s workforce. From eyestrain caused by insufficient lighting to wrist pain from improper keyboard and mouse usage, ergonomically appropriate systems are a critical component of a safe and healthy work environment.

HFES’s previous workstation standard (ANSI/HFS 100-1988) was administratively withdrawn in 1998.

Computing systems and workplaces have evolved significantly since the last edition of the standard. ANSI/HFES 100-2007 now includes computer mice and other pointing devices in its inputs chapter, and the displays chapter has been expanded to cover color devices. In an effort to correct the misunderstanding that the 90º posture used in ANSI/HFS 100-1988 was “the” correct working posture, the furniture chapter now provides four working postures for reference by designers.

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