At what height should machinery and equipment be set?

There are quite a few variables in terms of what is proper work height (e.g., type of work being performed) and no specific OSHA standard. However, NIOSH recommends that, for standing work, to achieve proper posture work surface heights should be:

• Above elbow height for precision work (37-43 inches from the floor),
• Just below elbow height for light work (34-37 inches from the floor), and
• Four to six inches below elbow height for heavy work (28-35 inches from the floor).

Also, keep in mind that in some cases the height of the work being performed must be scrutinized versus the height of the work surface. Ideally, if multiple people work on a machine or work station, there would be a way to adjust the height of either of the machine or the person.

Beyond this information, employers may want to contact an ergonomics professional for guidance based on the specific tasks their workers will be performing.