Experimental results do not support some ergonomic standards for computer video terminal design

There are both formal and informal Ergonomic standards, in place and proposed, which are based on certain assumptions about how people, in fact, do (or should) behave. Recent studies of actual use of the Ergonomic tools and features of office computing equipment reveal serious discrepancies between assumption and fact. It is strongly urged that emerging Ergonomic standards incorporate provisions for amendment and update based on new findings and new technologies in this evolving domain of direct computer use by the general public on a very large scale.

This article briefly reviews the status of many formal Ergonomic standards. New experimental data is presented contradicting or clarifying the intent of standards about keyboard home row height, palmrest, and viewing distance. Further, a survey of recent literature reveals similar contradictions concerning certain aspects of posture and of visual contrast ratios.