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Footrests are used to bring the floor up to those users
that need it. With the standard desk height of around
710 mm (originally established for paperwork rather
than computing), this includes many people of medium
height, both men and women. If when you sit with your
fingertips on the middle row of the keyboard (with your
elbows at right angles and your wrists flat) you have
noticeable pressure on the underside of the thighs,
you need one. Design quality is generally poor for these
products, and they often fail to achieve their aims,
so choose carefully or make your own.
Relatively cheap (approximately £20 for the basic
models) they can be purchased from office equipment
suppliers, some computer companies, and ergonomic product
suppliers. The latter source tends to be the most expensive
but may be the preferred choice if there are specific
requirements, i.e. the user is an audio typist using
a foot control. However don't assume that claims of
ergonomic design mean that it is suitable.
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The main criteria are that the user can position
both feet comfortably on the footrest, with the sole of
the foot horizontal, and that it is at the right height.
Tiltable footrests cater for those users who wear a variety
of shoes, in that the foot can always be in a horizontal
position not matter how high the heel. Users can also
exercise with the footrest thus encouraging blood flow
in the legs.
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It is worth trialling the footrest as some do not like
the unpredictability of tilting footrests, and many
such footrests simply tilt to the maximum extent when
weight is applied to the feet at one edge (under the
ankle). For this reason some models do come with a locking
mechanism. Heights vary but are often not adjustable,
so it is a good idea to experiment with books to find
the height you want. Quite small differences in height
make a big difference, so try to get within half an
inch of the ideal.
Unless you wear high heels the footrest surface should
be parallel with the floor, but most are set at an angle.
Many are quite narrow and shallow, and restrict the
range of leg positions available. Generally it is all
too easy to buy a footrest which is badly designed and
of the wrong height.
Many home-made solutions work better, for example
a slab of foam covered in fabric or carpet. Foam can
be
bought from the market, also from upholsterers and
foam suppliers (look for these in www.yell.co.uk).
Foam can be cut neatly with an electric carving knife.
For smaller increases in height, a piece of MDF board
or plywood can be completely effective (from B&Q
etc), and finished with a carpet tile.
The Schedule to the Display Screen Equipment Regulations
which details the minimum requirements for workstations
gives the following guidance:
A footrest shall be made available to any operator or
user who wishes one.
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© Open
Ergonomics Ltd. |
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