Which of the following are effective ergonomic controls for office work?

• A. Increased caffeine intake and longer work hours
• B. Adjustable furniture, job rotation, breaks, and workstation assessments
• C. Tight dress code and personal training
• D. Higher desk heights without assessment

Answer: (B)

In office ergonomics, the goal is to shape the workplace and work patterns to fit the person, reducing strain and fatigue. Adjustable furniture lets people set chair height, back support, desk height, and monitor/keyboard positions so wrists stay neutral, shoulders relax, and the neck stays upright. This directly decreases stress on the spine, hips, and wrists. Job rotation helps by varying tasks and reducing repetitive motions, which lowers the risk of cumulative strain injuries. Regular breaks give muscles and eyes a rest, diminishing fatigue and the chance of overuse from long, uninterrupted work periods. Workstation assessments identify mismatches between a person and their setup—like monitor height, reach distances, or lighting—and guide targeted adjustments or equipment changes to improve comfort and safety.

The other options don’t address how the workspace and schedule contribute to injury risk. More caffeine and longer hours don’t fix posture or exposure to repetitive motions and can worsen fatigue. A tight dress code can restrict movement and comfort, potentially increasing strain, rather than reducing it. Making changes like higher desk heights without assessing the individual’s setup can create new awkward postures and new risks.