CEA Workstation Design & Setup 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A call center employee wears a headset all day and reports neck pain. Which workstation adjustment is MOST likely to help?
- Lower the monitor by 2 inches
- Ensure the monitor is directly in front and eliminate the need to hold a phone receiver (Correct answer)
- Raise the chair height
- Add a lumbar support cushion
Correct answer: Ensure the monitor is directly in front and eliminate the need to hold a phone receiver
Eliminating shoulder-neck phone cradling by using a headset and centering the monitor prevents the asymmetric neck postures that cause pain.
Question 2: What is the recommended viewing angle (downward gaze) from horizontal eye level to the center of a computer monitor?
- 0-5 degrees
- 10-20 degrees (Correct answer)
- 30-40 degrees
- 45-60 degrees
Correct answer: 10-20 degrees
A downward gaze of approximately 10-20 degrees from horizontal is recommended as it reduces neck strain and keeps the cervical spine in a neutral position.
Question 3: Which document holder placement best reduces neck strain for a user who frequently references paper documents while typing?
- Flat on the desk to the left of the keyboard
- Between the monitor and keyboard at the same height and distance as the monitor (Correct answer)
- Attached to the side of the monitor
- On a separate stand to the far right
Correct answer: Between the monitor and keyboard at the same height and distance as the monitor
Placing the document holder at the same height and distance as the monitor minimizes head turning and focal distance changes between the document and screen.
Question 4: What is the primary ergonomic concern with a glass-top desk in an office setting?
- It is too heavy for most office floors
- Glare and reflections from the glass surface can cause visual discomfort (Correct answer)
- The height cannot be adjusted
- It promotes incorrect posture
Correct answer: Glare and reflections from the glass surface can cause visual discomfort
Glass surfaces reflect light and cause glare, which increases visual fatigue and eye strain for computer users.
Question 5: A worker uses a laptop as their primary workstation for 6+ hours daily. What is the MOST critical ergonomic recommendation?
- Use a laptop stand with an external keyboard and mouse (Correct answer)
- Add a wrist rest to the laptop keyboard
- Increase laptop screen brightness
- Use a laptop cooling pad
Correct answer: Use a laptop stand with an external keyboard and mouse
A laptop stand elevates the screen to proper eye level, while an external keyboard and mouse allow neutral arm and wrist positioning—addressing both visual and musculoskeletal risks.
Question 6: When is it appropriate to use a chair with no armrests in an office workstation?
- Never — armrests are always required
- When the task requires close proximity to the desk and armrests would prevent this (Correct answer)
- Only for standing desks
- When the user is under 5'4"
Correct answer: When the task requires close proximity to the desk and armrests would prevent this
Armrests can sometimes prevent a user from pulling close enough to the desk for proper arm support, making an armless chair appropriate in specific workstation configurations.
Question 7: What ergonomic principle governs the placement of frequently used items within a workstation?
- Gravity principle — items should be stored low
- Reach envelope principle — primary items in primary zone, secondary items in secondary zone (Correct answer)
- Color coding principle
- Weight distribution principle
Correct answer: Reach envelope principle — primary items in primary zone, secondary items in secondary zone
The reach envelope principle dictates that frequently used items are placed within the primary reach zone (forearms flat) and less-used items in the secondary zone (extended arm reach).
CEA Workstation Design & Setup 3
A call center employee wears a headset all day and reports neck pain.
Which workstation adjustment is MOST likely to help?