Management Of Family Resources

Lesson 44 : Management Of Energy Applied To Work Place Design

Work Surface

The dimensions for the three parts of work surfaces must be planned separately: the height, width, and depth. The total amount of surface needed for the task and the allocation of the surface are related considerations.

The height of the work surface must be keyed to the worker requirement of maintaining good working posture.The width of the surface (side-to-side measure) is probably more closely related to task needs than to worker needs if a minimum 18 inches for standing space is provided. The functional limits for the width of work areas range from 48 to 58 inches for the maximum and 40 inches for the normal work area.

The depth of the surface (front-to-back measure) is determined by three factors: the distance that can be reached comfortably, the activity, and the items that must be used and stored temporarily during use. The normal working-area depth of 14 to 16 inches for women and the maximum work-area depth of 24 inches suggest that much of the activity that involves manipulative motions may be done within the 14 to 16 inch range, but the 24-inch distance is not an excessive depth for the work surface since it can be reached without assuming an off balance position.