IQS Newsroom Articles on Work Benches
About Work Benches and Work Benches Manufacturers
Including CPU Holders, Ergonomic
Workstations, Industrial
Workbenches, Industrial
Workstations,
Lab Furniture, Modular
Workstations & Work
Stations.
Workbenches and work stations are equipment or furnishings that create an efficient space in which people perform a set of specific duties, whether in offices, plants or manufacturing processes. Ergonomic workstation design remains important in order for workers to accomplish given tasks effectively, providing areas where workers increase productivity by being able to easily organize and access items necessary for the accomplishment of their duties in a way that causes minimal physical strain or injury. Workstations and work benches are manufactured for a variety of facilities and processes; industrial workstations and industrial workbenches provide workspace for machinists, assembly workers and many other industrial manufacturing processes. Work benches often accompany lab furniture to assist in organizing assembly processes in ultra-sterile cleanroom environments; packing tables provide shipping and handling workers an organized space for preparing products for shipment, and modular workstations are equipped with adjustable shelves, tables and bins which workers can arrange to optimize their workspace. Workstations designed for office or technical data settings may come equipped with CPU holders to keep computer processing units safely off the floor or tabletop and out of the way.
Ergonomic workstations adapt the work environment to the worker, instead of forcing the worker to adapt to his or her work environment. By ensuring that workers are comfortable, organized and unstrained while performing job duties leads to increased output of work and a decreased risk of work related injuries. The implementation of ergonomic principles is important for reducing stress and eliminating injuries in factories, manufacturing facilities and office settings. Injuries resulting from ergonomic issues consist of about a third of the 1.7 million work injuries per year. Key elements of ergonomic work benches include adjustability and modularity, which remain especially important when more than one person must utilize the same work benches. Adjustable work benches can be altered to fit the needs of the workers, changing the height of work benches desks, chairs and in some cases desk drawers, cabinets and keyboard platforms. Modular work benches contain components that can be rearranged. Modular shelves, drawers and cabinets can be situated in various configurations to suit the needs of workers.
Numerous types of work benches and workstations exist, most of which are tailored to specific applications. Industrial workbenches, work benches, computer work benches and command operation centers represent some of the most common furniture produced by work bench manufacturers. Work benches are necessary in almost every business in every industry. Workers who rely on work areas provided by work bench manufacturers include: office workers, call center staff, factory workers, clean room workers, assembly line workers, operators and air traffic controllers. The benefits of reducing stress and worker injuries by purchasing work benches or workstations customized to specific applications far outweigh the costs.
While industrial equipment manufacturers often refer to "workstations" and "workbenches" interchangeably, there is a small difference between the two terms. "Workstations", in industrial manufacturing, encompasses assembly tables, chairs, storage benches, racks, laminar flow benches, cleanroom work benches and office tables, and although "workbench" often refers to the same items, it more specifically refers to assembly tables, storage tables and lab work tables, focusing on work surface areas instead of entire units with furniture, shelving and storage. "Workstations" (as opposed to "industrial workstations", which refers specifically to the types of workstations used in an industrial setting) in the broader commercial and manufacturing community generally refer to either a) office, IT, home or school workplace furniture and computer work stations, CPU holders and furniture or b) computers and computer systems which provide a software "work station" for IT administrators. "Workbenches", refers to equipment used in industrial manufacturing, with the exception of woodworking and hobbyists' workbenches, which are recognizably related to industrial workbenches. Workbenches are ergonomically designed with shelves, reels or laminar flow for the assembly of industrial parts, while workstations are sometimes units of specialized industrial assembly furniture including benches, chairs, shelves and accessories, and sometimes the term "workstation" is used to refer to non-industrial computer systems or office furniture sets.
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Work Benches and
Work Bench Manufacturers Images Provided by IAC
Industries |
Work Bench Types
- ,
common in information technology fields, accommodate technological equipment
for organizing computer and electronic equipment, including display
monitors, keyboards and processors, in a readily accessible structure.
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are important for computer workers because they prevent repetitive strain
injuries. Ergonomic stations have a variety of important components,
including keyboard platforms, wrist pads, document holders and special
lighting, as well as adjustable chairs and footrests.
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consist of furniture that can be adjusted to overcome repetitive strain
injury, carpal tunnel syndrome and muscular skeletal disorder, which
can be caused by uncomfortable and static workstations. Adjustable ergonomic
workstation designs conform to special needs.
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are sturdy tables used in the construction and repair of industrial
products and have adjustable shelves, drawers and height. Workbenches
are common in the woodworking and automotive industries.
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accommodate a variety of industrial applications, including shipping
and receiving, packaging and mail sorting. Industrial workstations,
which improve organization and efficiency, are available in a variety
of setups containing drawers, shelves and side tables.
- includes the various pieces that are used in laboratory work stations.
- , or cubicles, have components that can be rearranged into different configurations.
- Packing tables are workstations or workbenches for packaging products for
shipping or distribution; packing tables have various features and accessories
to speed workflow while maintaining an ergonomically safe working environment.
- Shipping tables are used in distribution centers as workstations for packaging,
labeling and shipping products. Tables may have adjustable features and
ergonomic design for safe, efficient workflow.
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creates a workstation that is able to hold large amounts of computer
and electronic equipment and is sturdier than regular office furniture.
- are spaces designed for specific tasks.
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Work Bench Terms
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The study of the relative measurement of bodily dimensions, including
height, weight, and girth; these measurements are considered when analyzing
workstations.
- Cushioned
padding that reduces strain placed on legs and feet during standing.
- The study of
the effects of biology and movement on the human body. Particular attention
is paid to muscular movement.
- Inflammation of
the bursa, small lubrication-secreting sacs located between bones and
tendons, caused by overexertion.
- The fibrous
tunnel that runs through the wrist, or carpal, bones, carrying necessary
tendons to the hand.
- A repetitive
strain injury (RSI); Common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include
numbness, burning, tingling, and wrist and hand pain. The disorder afflicts
those who use their wrist in repetitive actions on a regular basis, including
typists, computer workers and some sports players and musicians. CPU Holder - A sliding, swiveling bracket used to hold computers' central
processing units in order to maximize workspace utility and to provide easy,
ergonomic access to CPU ports.
- A repetitive strain injury (RSI) caused by inflammation
of the tissues surrounding tendons on the radial side of the wrist. Like
carpal tunnel syndrome, this disorder affects those who use their wrists
repetitively; the disorder can be treated with splints, medication, cortisone
injections and in advanced cases, surgery.
- Any physical
alteration of a production facility including workstations, equipment
or other applicable parts of the work area to lower or avert risk factor
exposure
- A form of tendonitis
of the elbow caused by overstressing the joints in the elbow. Symptoms
include pain during various wrist and arm movements, and treatments include
cold and heat therapy, braces, massage therapy, steroid injections and
laser treatments.
- The stretching of
a joint, usually through straightening.
- The main nerve
running down the arm into the forearm. The median nerve is responsible
for supplying the hand with feeling and movement.
- The
system containing bones, tendons, muscles, ligaments and cartilage.
- Fibers that transmit
signals or impulses between the brain and body parts; these impulses direct
feeling and movement of the body.
- The bodily
position in which muscles remain relaxed, not stressed. During extended
activity, neutral positions decrease the likelihood of strain and injury.
- Regulating the workers
movement rate through various work environment methods, such as pay inducements,
peer pressure or production pressure, a continuously moving conveyor at
a constant speed.
- This refers to both
an alteration to current production equipment of workplaces to render
them appropriate for additional workers, or, a reassessment of the patterns
of occurrence of tasks. The redesign is more costly to implement than
the integration of ergonomic standards in the preliminary job design.
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Also referred to as Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD), this is a term given
to disorders resulting from the overuse or misuse of a group of muscles.
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Exertion whereby the same stance is maintained throughout the duration
of the action.
- Body part responsible
for connecting muscles and bones as well as relaying movement from muscles
to bones.
- Inflammation of
the tendons; usually occurs in conjunction with tenosynovitis.
- Inflammation
of the protective coverings guarding the tendons.
- Inflammation
of finger tendons that causes the finger to stick in a particular position.
Trigger finger is caused by overuse or misuse of the tendons.
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