Workstation Assessments
Learn about how you can manage and control hazards associated with your workstation.
If you are a student, please refer to the guidance under “Set up your own workstation” below. If you are still having difficulties, please contact the Student Contact and Support office to request support.
If you are a staff member, please follow the general guidance below.
Set up your own workstation
Using a computer on a daily basis is normal and often vital for work and study. Because of this, many hours can be spent in front of the computer. If not managed properly, this can result in discomfort, pain and possible injury. Should this occur, please seek support from Student Contact and Support (for students) and the Health, Safety and Wellbeing service (for staff).
Ensuring your computer workstation is set up properly is important in preventing harm, so whenever you change equipment (e.g. desk, chair, monitor, keyboard, mouse), move office, or set up a new workstation, please follow the links below:
Safetyhub videos (click on 'Access the online videos' and type 'Workstation Assessments’ on the search bar)
For Staff Only: Requesting for further support (workstation assessments or/ and ergonomic equipment)
As a general rule the University does not support standing desks, unless there is a medical justification for this. As with all requests for workstation assessments and ergonomic equipment where there is a noted injury, we will have to determine whether the injury is work related or not. Therefore, please clearly state if you believe the injury has happened at work or not.
If work related: Please fill-out our online incident/ accident reporting form available in Report a safety injury, incident or observation (click on ‘Report an Injury’) and email your ACC claim form (ACC45 form), medical certificates (ACC18 forms) and specialist reports to injuryclaims@auckland.ac.nz.
Learn more: Injury management.
If not work related: If you still have an ACC claim, please contact your ACC case manager, who will arrange for an Occupational Therapist (OT) to conduct a workstation assessment. This will be managed and paid for by ACC.
If you do not have an ACC claim: It is your faculty's/ service division's decision whether or not to support any workstation assessments and/ or any ergonomic equipment. Ergonomic equipment should be purchased based on OT’s recommendations. Please email us (injuryclaims@auckland.ac.nz) the approval of your HOD and a Purchase Order (PO) number for the workstation assessment and/ or for the ergonomic equipment.
If support is needed for a medical issue: It is your faculty's/ service division's decision whether or not to support any workstation assessments and/ or any ergonomic equipment. Ergonomic equipment should be purchased based on OT’s recommendations. Please email us (injuryclaims@auckland.ac.nz) the approval of your HOD and a Purchase Order (PO) number for the workstation assessment and/ or for the ergonomic equipment. Further, please provide us your current ACC18 and the Orthopedic report.
Preferred suppliers and Purchase Order (PO) details
Workstation assessments
The workstation assessment should be carried out at your main place of work.
Workstation assessments will be arranged by Health Safety and Wellbeing. For further details, please email hsw@auckland.ac.nz.
Ergonomic equipment including standing desks
Please contact your facilities manager to discuss any requirements regarding ergonomic furniture.
For equipment such as footrests, wrist pads etc... these can be ordered via NXP NZ (former WINC).
Document Control
Version: 1.1
Last Updated: July 2024
Next Review: July 2027
Owner: hsw@auckland.ac.nz
Approver: Associate Director, Health Safety & Wellbeing