To meet specific requirements of pregnant women with regard to workplace layout, we propose a general
design approach that may also benefit other workers. Pregnant women are just a part of the user population!
The height of the working surface should be continuously adjustable to individual and situational needs,
and the range of adjustability should include the heights necessary for pregnant women. The table
height that was self-selected in this study indicates that for manual work the lowest height should be at least the
5th percentile height of the point just below the abdomen of the female population. To accommodate
pregnant women, working surface areas may be reduced by eg making work pieces and tools movable. Changes
in the work organization, eg so that only one worker has to work at the same working surface, may enhance
the utilization of workplace adjust ability. Existing workplaces should be evaluated to assess whether
women are likely to encounter fit problems due to pregnancy.