There are many reasons to choose a height-adjustable desk. Some are dictated by your office environment and others merely on the fact you want a healthier way to work. That said, there are several options available today for adding height adjustability to your workstation. How can one choose? We’re here to help! Here is a brief breakdown on some of the most common models of height-adjustable desks I have seen on the market today.

Electric 

“We spent good money on these height-adjustable consoles 7 years ago, and none of my dispatchers use them!” I can spot this problem immediately when I walk into a 911 dispatch center. Both the workstation surfaces are the exact same height, with paperwork and radios spread out across them. Most dispatchers in the center are not working in the best ergonomic position. What can I say? Some people simply do not like change.

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If you’re planning to invest in new furniture for your dispatch, communications or radiology center, there’s one major attribute that you might be looking for above any others: reliability. But how will you know if a furniture manufacturer offers products that are safe and long lasting? One simple way is by seeking out the BIFMA stamp of approval.

Here is a quick overview of this important standard and why it matters.

I recently ran into a registered nurse who now works a desk job and sells services nationwide. When I was explaining to him that I worked for a company called Xybix Systems, Inc. that makes height adjustable ergonomic furniture, his eyes lit up and he said, “No way! I just built a homemade, height-adjustable desk myself and even added a treadmill! Here, I have a picture…” Needless to say what I saw, while impressive in a DIY kind of way, it was wrong on multiple levels. As an RN working the ER floor, he gained 60 pounds and struggled with eating right in a nonstop, emotionally taxing environment. He managed to lose the weight and keep it off and has certainly benefited from integrating consistent activity into his new workspace.

One of the most important investments a casino owner can make is in the security of the establishment. With this in mind, many casino managers have installed high-tech surveillance systems, such as HD cameras and around-the-clock video monitoring, all of which provides exceptional oversight and security. But the casino industry’s next big surveillance investment should be a little closer to solid ground. We’re talking about height-adjustable furniture consoles for security operators, which can be incredibly beneficial for both the operations team and the management.

Height-adjustable furniture is commonly used in government agencies such as 911 dispatch and utilities departments. While you may think that 911 dispatchers have little in common with casino security, they actually share one major job function: long hours at a desk, scrutinizing multiple computer screens.

By now, most of you have heard about the health risks of sitting for extended periods of time. A height adjustable workstation or desk will give you the most flexibility, because it allows you to move easily between sitting and standing. So, the next logical question you might ask is 'how do you know what height to adjust your desk to?' A standing desk won’t do a whole lot of good, if you’re hunched over the keyboard to type or craning your neck to read your email. When setting up a height adjustable workstation, there are two positions you want to consider; seated and standing. Both are specific to each individual who uses the workstation.

The most obvious impact of a treadmill or bike desk is on the worker: increased caloric burn, energy, and mitigation of the worst effects of sitting still all day long. (See Xybix's previous blog post).

But let’s get down to brass tacks:
What about a 911 dispatch operation itself?

When you think of the brand name "Coca Cola" chances are ergonomics isn't the first thing that comes to mind! You are more likely to think of popping a can of soda on a hot summer's day then the commitment the company has to healthy habits in its workforce. In reality, Coca Cola has been leading the way in ergonomics, with a corporate ergonomist on staff responsible for promoting healthy habits company wide, ergonomics is top-of-mind for the company.

The job of a 911 dispatcher challenges a person’s mental and emotional abilities. It is also a job that requires a person to remain sitting in a chair during most of their shift. This type of job provides only limited opportunities to stand up and move around. Because of this limitation, proper ergonomics for 911 dispatchers is essential.  Improper ergonomics can lead to both short and long term physical issues.