This study aimed to take a standard office workstation, assess its usage and dimensions and then draw up parameters outside of which a normal working population would not be suited. The features of the workstation that limited its widest use were the height adjustment of the chair, its armrests, the depth of the chair seat and the fixed height of the desk. The crucial dimensions that determined suitability for a given user were popliteal height, seated elbow height and buttock-popliteal length. The majority of users would require the use of a foot-rest to achieve an appropriate position whilst using the workstation. Even after using a standard 5 inch foot-rest, additional raising of the feet or lowering of the desk height would be required by 33% of women and 10% of men. The raising of the desk height would be necessary for a further 5% of men. The armrests and seat depth both had the capability of causing health problems, although the armrests could be removed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]