In many security operations throughout a wide range of industries, a control room typically exists as the nerve center of the organization. Receiving endless amounts of information and data from numerous systems such as video, audio, access control and more, control room operators are often tasked with duties that are vital to the success and safety of the enterprise.
This means that control room conditions must allow operators to always feel happy, healthy and productive in their environment. For maximum efficiency and situational awareness, the comfort of control room operators is crucial: “If they’re uncomfortable or distracted or in pain with a sore neck due to bad viewing angles, operators can miss out on critical events or emergencies,” said Brent Leimer, Marketing Manager, Winsted.
One of the most significant elements contributing to control room comfort is a console. A console is not just a piece of furniture; it’s the link between an operator and the technology he or she uses daily, therefore making it exceptionally important that operators utilize ergonomically correct consoles to ensure comprehensive physical satisfaction.
Standards for control room design are so essential that the International Standards Organization developed guidelines, ISO11064, that act as a base for determining what an ergonomic workstation should be based on a variety of factors. Two of the most imperative console qualities are flexibility and adjustability, built in for both a single operator or multiple throughout the day.
“Control rooms function around the clock, so at a particular workstation, you may have three different operators sit at the same desk within 24 hours,” said Leimer. “You could be dealing with a 6’5” male or 4’9” female — the sight lines and ergonomics differ vastly for both.” Features such as adaptable monitor mounts, mobility and the option to sit or stand enable every operator to feel as though the console was customized just for them.
Leimer said that organizations must also consider spacing when aiming to achieve control room comfort: “In a lot of cases, there will be too much equipment crammed into a small area and that creates sight line problems,” he said. “We have specifically designed compact solutions for these instances.”
Winsted and Vistacom work together on various control room projects, supplying the necessary solutions for operators and enterprise organizations to fulfill their security and operational goals. “We work closely to lay out the room and furniture, making it as functionally and aesthetically pleasing as possible,” Leimer said. “And comfort is always a top priority.”
To see Winsted’s control room console offerings in person, visit booth #2817 at Global Security Exchange (GSX) Sept. 25-27, in the “Control Room Corner” where you can also find Vistacom’s booth #2967.
