Overview of the ANSI/HFES 100 - 2007 Ergonomic Standard

A New Standard is Released The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved ANSI/HFES 100 – 2007, Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstations, as a new American National Standard. The formal announcement came on November 16, 2007.

How does this affect other ergonomic standards and guidelines?

• ANSI/HFES 100 – 2007 replaces ANSI/HFS 100 – 1988 which was administratively withdrawn in 1998.
• BIFMA G1 – 2002 Ergonomics Guideline for VDT (Visual Display Terminal) Furniture used in Office Works Spaces will coexist with ANSI/HFES.
• ANSI/HFES 100 – 2007 references and recognizes BIFMA G1 -2002 which is still recognized by furniture manufactures in North America.

Updates to ANSI/HFES 100 – 2007

• Uses the most current ergonomic research information
• Includes more types of computer input devices including mouse, trackball, joystick, light pens and touch screens
• Has an increased emphasis on the 4 recommended work postures for computer workstations

Reference Postures

• ANSI/HFES 100 – 2007 recognizes that VDT users frequently change their work postures during the day to maintain comfort and productivity
• VDT users require frequent movement to achieve comfort and productivity
• Each of the four postures listed in Figure 1 place the body in a symmetrical and supported position
• A users’ chair should support the three seated postures effortlessly while the user is working at a VDT
• Variations on the Referenced Postures are expected during a work session. However, not all postures are equally comfortable or productive

A comparison of ANSI/HFES to BIFMA G1 – 2002

• ANSI/HFES 100 – 2007 gives requirements and recommendations for the design and configuration of the human-hardware interfaces in a computer workstation.
  This includes the furniture as well as input devices and visual displays
• BIFMA G1 – is focused solely on ergonomic guidelines for furniture design
• Both are based on the Natick 1987-88 anthropometric survey of Army personnel

How is Knoll addressing this standard?

• Knoll Product Design will use both ANSI/HFES 100 - 2007 and BIFMA G1 – 2002 for development and design of new furniture

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