Ergonomics: Lighting Your Work Area

Outside light

Window coverings:

• While sitting at your workstation, look at your screen. It should be free of glare from light coming through the windows.

• If it isn't, close the blinds or pull the shades to reduce glare.

• Know that you may need to adjust window coverings as the sun shifts during the day.

Indoor light

Overhead light: Reduce overhead lighting (where possible).

• While sitting at your workstation, look at your screen. It should be free of glare from ceiling lights.

• If it isn't, tilt or swivel the monitor so the light doesn't shine on your screen. Antiglare filters for your screen may also help.

• Talk to your supervisor about other ways to reduce glare from ceiling lights.

Task light

• If you use a task light like a desk lamp, turn it on and look at your screen.

• If it causes glare on your screen, adjust the angle of your task lamp.

• Try tilting or swiveling the monitor to reduce glare. Or have someone help you move your monitor until the glare is reduced.

Light from your computer

• To help improve viewing comfort, you may also need to fine-tune your monitor's contrast and brightness. Adjust both contrast and brightness. This gives you the most brightness without blurring.

• Try tilting or swiveling the monitor to reduce glare. Or have someone help you move your monitor until it is at a 90 ° angle to the window.