Ergonomic Requirements for Workplaces in Latvia

18.09.2026.

Most discussions about office ergonomics begin with thoughts about employee comfort and improving work quality – comfortable chairs that reduce back pain, height-adjustable desks for a dynamic working day, sufficient yet stylish lighting, and conveniently positioned equipment. However, most office ergonomics elements are not merely a bonus to offer employees; they are basic requirements for a modern workplace established by Cabinet of Ministers (Latvian: Ministru kabinets (MK)) regulations. Compliance with these requirements is supervised by the State Labour Inspectorate (Latvian: Valsts darba inspekcija). The employer, in turn, is responsible for ensuring compliance.

Why Office Ergonomics Is a Legal, Not Just a Comfort, Issue
The Labour Protection Law (Latvian: Darba aizsardzības likums) establishes the employer’s general obligation to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. Two regulations issued on the basis of this law are particularly important for office work:
-Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 343 of 6 August 2002, “Labour Protection Requirements When Working with Display Screens” — specific requirements for computer workstations;
-Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 359 of 28 April 2009, “Labour Protection Requirements at Workplaces” — general requirements for workplace premises, including lighting levels and the microclimate.
Regulation No. 343 specifically emphasizes that the employer is responsible for compliance and that implementation is supervised and controlled by the State Labour Inspectorate. In practice, this means that an unsuitable chair or inadequate lighting is not the employee’s personal problem – it is the company’s responsibility.

What Does “Working with a Display Screen” Mean?
Regulation No. 343 applies to employees who, as part of their work duties, work with a display-screen workstation for at least two hours every working day. The two-hour threshold is decisive: if an employee spends at least two hours a day working at a computer, all the requirements of the regulation must be applied.
It is also important to understand how the regulation defines a workstation. It is not simply a computer. A workstation is a workplace containing a computer and the equipment necessary for its operation – the system unit, display, software, keyboard, input device – as well as the part of the workplace area where it is located, including the work desk and office chair. Therefore, furniture is not excluded from the regulations; it is an integral part of the workstation.
The regulations do not apply to certain situations, including displays in vehicle driver cabins, computer systems intended for public use, and portable computer systems that are not used continuously at the workplace. Employers sometimes incorrectly rely on the last exception: a laptop that serves as an employee’s permanent workstation is also considered a workstation and is not exempt.

Practical Workplace Requirements
It is important to note that Regulation No. 343 generally does not provide precise measurements (centimetres, degrees, etc.) that must be followed when setting up a workplace. Instead, it specifies functional requirements – what must be adjustable, what must be stable, and what must not produce glare or reflections. Specific numerical values come from applicable standards and good practice.
The requirements established by the regulations are summarized below, alongside reference values commonly used in practice. Read more about how to set up an ergonomic workplace in this article! 

Display: Clear characters; a stable image without flickering; adjustable brightness and contrast; easy to rotate and tilt; a separate stand or adjustable desk; no glare or reflections    The top edge of the screen approximately at eye level or slightly below; viewing distance approximately an arm’s length
Keyboard: Separate from the screen and adjustable; matt, non-reflective surface; easy-to-use keys; contrasting symbols.

Sufficient space to support the wrists in front of the keyboard.
Desk: Surface should be largely non-reflective; height suitable for the employee’s individual physical characteristics and ergonomic requirements; sufficiently large surface area; sufficient space in front of the keyboard; stable and adjustable document holder   

Fixed-height desks are generally around 72–75 cm; for employees of different heights — a height-adjustable desk.
Office chair: Stable; allows free movement and a comfortable posture; adjustable seat height; adjustable backrest height and tilt; footrest for anyone who wants one.   

A seat-height range that allows the feet to rest fully on the floor; lumbar support
Room and lighting: Sufficient space to change body position; adequate lighting with appropriate contrast; distracting glare and reflections eliminated; windows with adjustable shading systems; equipment noise must not interfere with communication and concentration; no additional heat generated; suitable air humidity    The minimum lighting level above the work area in an office, including meeting rooms, is 500 lx. Stronger lighting is required for technical drawing (750 lx), while lighting for document sorting and copying may be lower (300 lx).

Pay attention to the chair requirements: an adjustable seat height and adjustable backrest height and tilt are not recommendations, but requirements. This makes these features important factors to consider when choosing office chairs. Learn more about how to choose the most suitable office chair for your needs in this article!

The regulations also specify that the desk must be at a height that is suitable for each employee’s individual physical characteristics and meets ergonomic requirements. The easiest way to fulfil this requirement is to choose a height-adjustable desk. This allows employees of different heights to use the desk comfortably and in accordance with the requirements. Read more about how to choose a height-adjustable desk in this article, or learn how to choose the most suitable writing desk here:

Common Non-Compliance Issues in Latvian Offices
Based on our experience setting up offices, the following problems occur repeatedly:
Chairs without adjustable backrest tilt. A visually modern but non-adjustable chair does not meet the regulatory requirements. This is the most common non-compliance issue. Choose an office chair that can be adjusted in multiple ways.
Monitor placed on the desk without a raised stand. The requirement is that the display has a separate stand. A laptop placed directly on the desk does not meet this requirement without an additional stand and external keyboard. If you use an external monitor, a monitor arm is an excellent solution, as it allows the display to be adjusted both vertically and closer to or farther from the user.
Windows without shading. The regulations explicitly require an adjustable window-shading system to reduce daylight falling onto workstations. This is a common issue in offices with large glazed façades.
Noise issues completely overlooked. The requirement that equipment-generated noise must not interfere with communication and concentration is generally not even assessed in open-plan offices. To reduce office noise, we recommend using various acoustic panels or creating separate workstations in acoustic pods. Learn more about acoustic solutions for the office in this article, but take a closer look at soundproof booths and their benefits here! 
No documented risk assessment. Workplaces are often well equipped, but there is no written assessment – and this is precisely what the Inspectorate requests first.
No consultation with employees. This is one of the easiest requirements to fulfil, yet it is often overlooked.
Footrests are not offered. The regulations provide that a footrest must be made available to anyone who wants one. In practice, employees are often not even informed that this option is available.

Time to Take Action!
If you want to set up your company’s office not only beautifully but also in compliance with CM requirements, take a look at our range of ergonomic office equipment – office chairs, height-adjustable desks, acoustic solutions, and office equipment – on our website or in person at 10 Valguma Street, Riga.
To arrange a visit or ask a question, contact us at info@salonsarka.lv or +371 67 892 773.
Sources
-Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 343 of 6 August 2002, “Labour Protection Requirements When Working with Display Screens”
-Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 359 of 28 April 2009, “Labour Protection Requirements at Workplaces”
-Labour Protection Law
The information reflects the wording of the regulations in force as of September 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.