Posted By Scott d Hi All, We currently employ a handful of people who's job is to check three pieces of documentation against each other and also against the product labels on containers. This is currently carried out on a benchtop, with the employee looking down at the bench whilst checking the documentation. The employees in this area do this for a large proportion of the day and I am concered that they will suffer problems with their upper body, particular neck and back. My idea is to have a height and tilt adjustable work area for checking off this documentation but the only thing I can currently find, is a floor standing device (the type you could put papers on when delivering a seminar) and the only idea we have at the moment is to cut a section of the desk out to house this. Does anybody know of such a device, that would sit on the top of an existing bench or have any other ideas as to a solution. Note; These staff are highly paid, highly qualified individuals and this job can not be rotated around any other staff with lesser qualifications. Many Thanks, Scott

Posted By Ashley Williams Seems to me that what your looking for could be the things used arts departments in the print industry and draughtsmen or women? Ash

Posted By Diane Thomason Scott This might sound daft but how about one or more adjustable footrests (as used for DSE workstations under the desk) to go on top of the benches, to put the docs on? These can be tilted and would not require you to cut up your benches as a freestanding lectern would. Otherwise how about freestanding document holders? like these http://www.ergo2work.co....html?GroupID=1&ItemID=-1

Posted By Scott d Hi All, Thanks for all of your responses, however, I dont think any of the options are workable. The problem is that we have workers of varying heights who spend some time sitting at the benches and some time standing, when work gets a little busier. The device we use will have to be height adjustable to a good range (upto 1 metre) and this is the reason we are looking at the floor standing device. I doubt wether there will be anything avilable thats sits on a bench top, that could fulfill our requirements, due to the amount of housing required for the height adjustable mechanism. Many Thanks, Scott

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Well done, Scott, for your care to prevent injury. As a registered ergonomist (with some experience of comparable situations such as pharmacologists doing laboratories with animals, and dental practitioners working continually in the mouths of humans), these comments come to my mind 1. There isn't a single solution but a range of options 2. Accordingly, educating and training employees into understanding risks of musculo-skeletal disorder is probably the most essential factor; 3. Appropriate education such include coaching in physical relaxation of the neck, shoulders, arms and hands regularly during the working day 4. A chemical safety consultant may be able to make specific proposals about equipment: Peter Short is a helpful fellow - whom I met in his role as Chairman of the Trainer Assessment Panel of The Chemical Hazards Communications Society - who may have some relevant experience. If you would like his email address, contact me at kieran@enabling-space.com