Work Stations
Work stations create efficient spaces in which people can perform their specific tasks. Work stations are used to create a safe environment for the worker and an efficient place to carry out job duties. An effective work station allows for a worker to easily organize and access the items necessary for the completion of his or her activities.
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Applications of Work Stations
Work stations are used in many industries to help increase overall productivity by eliminating unnecessary movement or actions. Work stations are used by clean room workers, factory workers, assembly line workers, operators, office workers, air traffic controllers, and call center staff. Custom work stations, such as industrial work stations, work benches, computer work stations, and command operation centers, are used in almost every business and industry. It is important that work stations are ergonomic for the health and comfort of the worker. Ergonomic work stations are made to accommodate workers and to adapt to the workers' movements and job tasks. These work stations should be adjustable and modular so they can be raised or lowered, or so the drawers, chairs, and cabinets can be moved in order to suit the specific needs of workers. Work stations are widely used due to their ability to prevent injuries and reduce stress from repetitious activities. As a result, they increase overall productivity.
While work stations are important in factory, manufacturing, and office settings because they cut down on worker stress and help to eliminate injuries, they are also utilized in various clean room and research industries as well. In addition, while industrial equipment manufacturers often refer to "work stations" and "workbenches" interchangeably, there is a small difference between the two terms. "Work stations" encompasses assembly tables, chairs, storage benches, racks, laminar flow benches, clean room work benches and office tables in industrial manufacturing. Although the term "workbenches" 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. Additionally, “work stations” is sometimes used to refer to non-industrial computer systems or office furniture sets. There is also a difference between "work stations" and "industrial work stations.” “Industrial work stations” refers specifically to the types of work stations used in an industrial setting and “work stations” in the broader commercial and manufacturing community generally refers to either office, IT, home or school workplace furniture and computer work stations, CPU holders, and furniture or computers and computer systems which provide a software "work station" for IT administrators.