Good ergonomic practice is important to avoid discomfort and to reduce the risk of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This means that your equipment and your workplace should be arranged to suit your individual needs.
We have compiled some ergonomic guidelines to help you minimize discomfort and the risk of computer related injuries due to bad posture and repetitive motions.
Listen to Your Body
Our body tells us that something is wrong through those aches and pains. But often, we choose to ignore the neck strain, headaches, tight shoulders, fatigue eyes, and occasional wrist pain. Be aware and acknowledge the signals and alerts from your body by improving your body posture, work habits, and ergonomics.
Workplace Organization
Have sufficient desk space to allow you to position your monitor, keyboard, mouse and other items such as documents or a a telephone in the way that works best for you.
Your body, monitor, and keyboard should form a straight line. Adjust your setup if you have to rotate your trunk or neck to type or view your screen.
Take periodic breaks and/or vary your tasks. This helps you to reduce discomfort, fatigue, or repetitive strain injuries.
The Chair
The chair is one of the most important parts of your workplace. It determines the posture of your back, arms, and legs and encourage good posture and circulation. Select a chair that is comfortable for you. Adjust your chair so that:
Your thighs are horizontal.
The seat’s back supports your lower and middle back, especially in the lumbar area.
The back angle between your trunk and legs is a bit more than 90 degrees.
Your feet rest flat on the floor when you are seated - if they dangle, use a footrest.
Your forearms and wrists are about desktop height when your elbows are at 90 degrees.
Trays and Wrist Rests
The following setup tips can reduce awkward positions and help minimize the risk of injury.
Adjustable the angle of keyboard trays to keep your keyboard in a flat or slightly backward-tilted position, which is safer.
Adjust the height so you don’t have to angle your wrists to read the input devices.
Only use wrist rests during rest periods, not when you’re typing. Else the constant pressure on the nerves and tendons may cause injury such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Mouse and Keyboard
Here is how your keyboard and mouse is placed correctly:
The keyboard is positioned so that your forearms are horizontal.
Your shoulders and arms are relaxed and comfortable. Don't hunch up your shoulders.
Your wrists should form a straight line with your forearms. Leave them in a neutral position - don't bent them up, down, or to either side.
Place the mouse close to the keyboard. Make sure that you can use it without leaning over to the side.
Monitor
Poorly placed monitors may put extra strain on your eyes and upper spine, especially the neck. Set up your equipment in a way most comfortable to you:
Position the screen to minimize reflections and glare from lights and windows.
The screen should be slightly below eye level for comfortable viewing. This can help to reduce neck strain.
Your head in an upright and comfortable position.
The monitor should be angled slightly backwards.
Maintain a comfortable viewing distance of 18 to 30 inches bases on your preference, the size of your screen, and screen resolution.As
Clean your screen and eyeglasses on a regular basis.
A 14 degree gable separates the two groups of keys, which is complemented by the curved key bed and 7-degree wrist rest for what looks to be a truly comfortable typing experience. Other notable features include a zoom slider, five programmable favorites keys for launching documents and applications, forward & backward keys located in the center of the keyboard, hotkeys, and the standard enhanced function keys.
This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the International Conference on Ergonomics and Health Aspects of Work with Computers, EHAWC 2007, held in Beijing, China in July 2007 in the framework of the 12th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCII 2007 with 8 other thematically similar conferences. The 45 revised papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers accepted for presentation represent the breadth and diversity of current research on the topic of ergonomic and health aspects of work with computers and address the following major topics: health and well being in the working environment, as well as ergonomics and design.
The perfect chair for any room in your house whether it is for the children or for your kitchen office. Seat Depth Adjustment Positions chair back relative to the seat to reduce pressure on the buttocks and thighs. Available in Blue, Pink, Green, Orange, and Purple Colors.
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Wouldn't it be so nice to control all office keys with one click reach of a button. A unique design xPire M43 10 programmable buttons Optical Mouse with high precision 800-dpi (Standard optical mice are 540 dpi) gives you a chance to do that. Setting it up is easy just plug the receiver into your PC or Mac and you're ready to go. This mouse also features smooth, maintenance-free optical tracking, a convenient scroll wheel. And it´s all wrapped up in a sleek, comfortable design.
The Adjustable Ergonomic Keyboard allows you to adjust the two alphanumeric sections both horizontally and vertically to suit your individual body requirements. This helps you assume a more natural posture that is conducive to improving comfort and productivity while using your computer.
SAFETY AWARENESS POSTERS Ergonomic Guidelines For Computer Workstations 24 x 18 Workplace safety posters provide a daily reminder to help reduce work site accidents. Laminated safety posters offer a durable and long lasting finish that is easy-to-clean.
Topics on this page: computer ergonomics office comfort ergonomic practice Repetitive Strain Injuries Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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