Workstation furniture and equipment
Standard workstation equipment and furniture
Standard workstation equipment and furniture are available through The University’s purchasing platform eMarket.
Standard workstation furniture and equipment have been selected through a rigorous tender process including extensive evaluation of supplier product, service capability, social procurement, sustainability targets, and a range of other criteria. All furniture meets University benchmarks including the University of Melbourne Design Standards which represents best practice, Australian Standards compliant design.
Preferred workstation furniture and equipment suppliers
The University has engaged a panel of five preferred suppliers of workstation furniture to deliver the workstation furniture contract which meets all University benchmarks and relevant Standards. Selecting furniture from the approved range will ensure best value, quality, service and ensure workstation furniture is functional, safe and suited to the application/environment. These suppliers offer trials, prototypes and customisation where required. Preferred suppliers include:
Alternative computer workstation equipment or furniture
Considerable variation in human body size/shape, capabilities, limitations, and tolerances exists in a typical work group). In acknowledgment of the fact that one size does not fit all, selected alternative size and design workstation equipment and furniture is available through the University’s preferred suppliers. The objective is to ensure all staff have access to furniture and equipment that is well fitting, supportive, and comfortable.
Selected alternative size and design furniture and equipment typically include chairs, keyboards, mouse devices, monitor arms, and footrests- listed in more detail below. The University’s view is that all newly ordered desks should be electric height adjustable which is inclusive and accommodates all. Alternative workstation furniture and equipment that are not recommended are also listed below.
If you identify the need for alternative size or design workstation equipment or furniture it can be ordered through the University’s eMarket purchasing platform. It is recommended you do this in consultation with your supervisor. If necessary your supervisor may contact the local Health and Safety Business Partner for further advice or assistance.
Note: Where reasonable workplace adjustments to your environment or work conditions including assistive technology are required (as outlined in the Disability and Discrimination Act 1992 relating to a permanent or temporary disability), a ticket should be submitted through Service Now under the category, Accessibility and reasonable adjustments.
In all cases, progress should be carefully monitored to be sure it is effectively providing symptom relief or management and not introducing any unanticipated issues
If you are working from home because you (or a dependent) are recovering from a health injury, issue, or surgery, assistance may be available from the University’s Workplace Adjustments and Injury Management Team (WAIS)
Alternative seating
Alternative, non-conventional seating may include kneeling, perching, and saddle designs or those with a dynamic base. Alternative seating may be prescribed in certain circumstances by a qualified health professional for an individual with a specific need or, may have an application for a specialised workplace or environment. WorkSafe Victoria (The Regulator) does not support the widespread use of alternative seating in the workplace as these may present a less stable or less supportive option, cause fatigue, or represent a musculoskeletal or fall risk. Conventional seating is the most suitable option for most workplace applications and users, along with a well set up workstation where there is an opportunity for regular postural variation.
Use of any type of alternative seating in the workplace by an individual staff member will be subject to the following conditions being met:
- Supply of documented evidence from a treating health practitioner supporting the use of alternative seating along with a prescribed schedule of use and how this will translate to an improved health outcome
Endorsement of local manager and Health & Safety business partner
Support for alternative seating will be assessed on a case-by-case basis using a risk management approach.
The ‘kneeling’ chair:
A forward tilted fixed-angle seat with a padded kneeling segment. These chairs are generally height adjustable with castors and may or may not have a back rest. The premise behind the kneeling chair is that, by allowing the thighs to slope downward, the spine can more easily maintain its natural curves. The design of the kneeling chair offsets the sitting load from the ischial tuberosities (pelvic sitting bones) and distributes it between the underside of the thighs and the front of the lower legs.
A number of musculoskeletal hazards associated with the use of kneeling ‘chairs’ exist which makes them unsuitable for general use.
- the distance and angle between the seat pad and the knee pad make them unsuitable for taller or larger users skin contact against a coarse fabric can be irritable or against vinyl can cause sweating
Kneeling chairs may be indicated in the following circumstances:
- for short-term use in the event of acute low back or coccyx (tailbone) pain
- where prescribed by a qualified treating health practitioner. Note a trial should be first undertaken to ensure this seating provides symptomatic relief and does not introduce any unanticipated issues
- where chronic low back or coccyx pain is present, and this seating has proven symptomatic benefits when alternated with a conventional chair. Users should alternate between both chair types and take regular breaks to stretch and move
- in all cases, progress should be carefully monitored to be sure it is effectively providing symptom relief or management and not introducing any unanticipated issues
University of Melbourne's preferred furniture supplier Backcare and Seating will supply a kneeling chair for trial following which, if effective can be hired for a fee or purchased
Perching stools:
Perching stools are typically designed for use at a higher workbench/counter particularly where there is limited leg room or where work is dynamic and involves getting up and down frequently. Perching stools may have a forward sloping seat or a saddle-style seat pan which distributes the sitting load between the buttocks and the feet. This creates a more dynamic, engaged posture- easier to move forward from to work (hinge point being the hips) or to get up and down from. Some designs have a fixed, stable base and some have castors or Teflon glides. All should be height-adjustable. Careful consideration needs to be given to the intended use and environment of a perching stool
Key hazards include:
- lack of body support and subsequently back muscle fatigue over time
- insufficient sitting surface providing inadequate support for the buttocks and thighs
- Increased load through the legs and feet which may be fatiguing or problematic in the presence of foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis
- limited adjustability therefore difficulty achieving optimal posture
- castors on a floor with low rolling resistance
Given all the factors above, the use of these stools should be limited to a short period and not used as a primary seat/chair
Perching stools may be indicated in the following circumstances:
- where the desk/counter/bench/ work height is between approximately 750mm and 950mm
- where there is limited clearance or room for legs e.g. at a biological safety cabinet
- where the nature of the work is dynamic and involves frequently getting up and down-library service desks or interactive service counters
- in flexible, dynamic teaching spaces where there are high tables
- where there is a need for an alternative posture to conventional sitting and standing to assist in managing or recovering from a specific injury – e.g. low back or hip pain
Fitness balls
Fitness balls also known as exercise, swiss, or physio balls were designed primarily as exercise equipment and as such are suited to the gym or use at home as part of an exercise program - not for a work environment.
WorkSafe Victoria recommends that fitness balls are not to be used as dedicated workplace seating and has developed specific guidance material around use. Their general use as a ‘work chair’ is not supported by the University of Melbourne.
A large body of research confirms exercise balls cause more problems than solutions, and most experts recommend selecting a conventional office chair with features and adjustments compliant with the Australian Standard.
One study found that “Prolonged sitting on a stability ball does not greatly alter the manner in which an individual sits, yet it appears to increase the level of discomfort.”
Another study found that “There was no difference in muscle activation profiles of each of the 14 muscles between sitting on the stool and ball. Calculated stability and compression values showed sitting on the ball made no difference in mean response values. The contact area of the seat-user interface was greatest on the exercise ball.”
According to the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, “The use of stability balls as a chair may increase the risk of developing low back discomfort and may increase the risk of sustaining an injury due to the unstable nature of the balls.”
A further summary of recent research can be found at the following link
The bottom line: Exercise balls should be used for … exercise! Use them for small periods of time as part of your fitness and exercise plan.
A better solution is to select an ergonomic office chair, consider a sit-stand workstation, take stretch breaks throughout the day, and go for short walks to get your blood flowing.
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The key hazards include:
- absence of back support and subsequent back muscle fatigue and loss of neutral spinal posture over time
- insufficient sitting surface providing inadequate support for the buttocks and thighs
- no capacity for ball height adjustment to accommodate different size users and workstation heights. This may result in adopting a poor upper body posture
- absence of swivel and castors to navigate around the workstation. Neutral spine posture will not be maintained during tasks that require reaching or moving around.
- sustained activation/tension of trunk muscles to maintain balance which will eventually fatigue
- instability - getting on and off or reaching may result in overbalancing and falling
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Fitness balls may be considered in the following circumstances:
- when recommended by a qualified treating health professional for a specific individual following an injury. In this case the use of the ball in the workplace and its specific benefits for the individual should be clearly documented and monitored by the health professional, and only used to complete prescribed exercises during rest breaks away from the workstation in an appropriate, safe environment
- where the manager has approved this practice and identified a safe space and a risk assessment has been undertaken and any identified hazards controlled
Mouse wrist rests
Raised gel mouse wrist rests are NOT recommended for use at the computer workstation. These encourage an awkward risky wrist posture involving leaning through the wrist and repeatedly moving the hand from side to side. When you lean through your wrist while mousing, you can compress the blood vessels, tendons, and nerves that travel through your wrist. This part of your body was not designed for taking a sustained load. Leaning through your wrist for too long can potentially cause inflammation of the tendons and entrapment of the nerve which can increase the risk of a musculoskeletal disorder like carpal tunnel syndrome. Keyboard wrist rests on the other hand may be indicated in certain situations to provide support during pauses such as when reading from the screen, not when typing.