Last updated on October 11th, 2023 at 08:28 pm
Control Console Ergonomics, Safety, Comfort, Durability and Tech
At Russ Bassett, we designed a console furniture buyer’s criteria list to help you determine the criteria that will best support your mission-critical team’s needs. This checklist is grounded in ergonomic recommendations from the BIFMA G1-2013 and HFES 100-2007 guidelines, plus feedback from mission-critical teams such as public safety answering points, command and control teams, and operations control centers nationwide.
We encourage you to use these criteria as a guide for creating your product feature specifications. Then, use your specifications list as a tool during the review process to drive internal decision-making, and to hold manufacturers accountable for providing consoles that promote a safe and healthy work environment.
Control Console Ergonomic Features
- The transition from sitting to standing should be done with a single controller that does not “sleep”.
- The console surface and monitor move independently and the monitor array moves relative to the surface.
- Surface adjustment supports the full BIFMA range, 22.6” to 48.7.”
- Large enough work surface area to support all input devices and reference materials within easy reach – avoid sliding platforms that consume valuable work surface real estate.
- Ample surface space for bookwork, academics, and training.
- Maximize the console size to reduce the number of stacked monitors required to improve viewing angles.
- Monitors should be placed in an array about the operator for consistent focal depth and perpendicular viewing.
- Monitor array should effortlessly adjust all monitors simultaneously with independent electric height adjustment and at least manual focal depth adjustment.
- Monitor mounting system allows monitor adjustment capabilities including, at minimum, height, focal depth, tilt.
- Once monitors are positioned relative to the keyboard, they should maintain that relationship when transitioning from sitting to standing.
- All console controls (lift system controls, environmental controls, status light & task light controls, etc.) should be within easy reach of the operator.
- Easy to reach device charging stations.
- Sloped, comfortable front worksurface edge to eliminate pressure points when leaning on the work surface.
control Console Furniture Safety Features
- The console has a mechanical anti-collision detection system to mitigate operator injury during console adjustments.
- Available Safeguard Shield or equivalent virus protection screening at least 6’ tall for operator safety.
- Greenguard or equivalent indoor air quality certification/rating.
- A time-out feature for heater and fans mitigates appliance burn-out at unattended stations.
- There is an effort to limit hard edges and corners, especially in high-traffic areas.
Console Furniture Durability
- Design and materials are engineered/rated to withstand 365/24/7 use.
- Proven durable materials will not crack or separate in such a way as to injury staff working at the position.
- Console furniture is solidly built, able to be maintained/ replaced/ updated throughout the expected decade-plus lifetime.
Operator Comfort Features
- Task lighting should be below the monitors to eliminate glare.
- Keyboard/mouse connection points should be easily accessible, yet hidden away with a storage area for excess USB cable length so as not to impede usable work surface area.
- Operator controlled cooling above the surface
with quiet fans that do not impede monitor adjustments. - Operator controlled below surface heat that can be directed at the legs and/or feet and move with the operator as they change position from sitting to standing.
- Acoustic panel surrounds to reduce ambient noise.
- The console workstation is compatible with treadmill desk options (purchased separately).
Operations and Communication Features
- Noise abatement that doesn’t simultaneously inhibit active visual and aural communication between team members.
- Indicator lights signal for phone/radio/busy/help.
- Light is clearly visible across the room.
- Single-touch override supervisor alert switch placed within easy reach of the operator.
Console & Command Center Technology Interface
- Allow for quick changeover between equipment (keyboard/mouse/etc.):
- USB and other interfaces are tested to withstand 24/7 shift work at shared stations.
- Speakers have a dedicated space either freestanding or bracketed within easy reach of the operator.
- Easy access to computers for maintenance and troubleshooting.
- All cable routing should be front-accessible, from the array to the desktop voice/data connection points and all the way to the computers.
- All installed cables should be shielded from the back side.
- All monitors should be mountable from the front side without having to climb over the top to access monitor release mechanisms.
- All computers should be in heat dispersing vented storage areas.
- Computer storage areas should be available with lighting for easy maintenance and service.
- USB cable lengths of greater than 15’ should be avoided so as not to introduce signal loss or require active extension (“repeater”) cables.
- Consoles have clear, open floor coring locations around the perimeter to ensure the raised floor grid can be avoided at every console.
- Power pole or rear access options are available for installations that are not on raised floors.
- Accommodations to mount power and voice/data termination points within the console framework so that expensive modular power systems are not required.
Control Console Furniture Space Efficiency & Design Options
- Multiple console designs, shapes, and sizes should be available and even intermixed to create an efficient layout.
- Fit as much of the technology as possible within the sit-stand console footprint rather than in fixed extensions so that the sit-stand can be as large as possible.
- Available under-surface technology storage.
- Available corner filler technology storage.
- Technology integration and storage is available within the surrounding frame.
- Option for Slatwall mounted Micro PC mounts.
- Multiple matching storage options available, including “back bar” type peripheral storage and lockers available in the same finishes as the consoles.
- Variety of finish materials and modern color palette to support agency design and culture goals.
Console Furniture Technical Resources