2 MIN READ
Published 03/12/2020
Ergonomic tips to maximize your comfort when computing
1. Chair and posture
- Use the backrest of the chair to provide full support to your lower back.
- Make sure your chair allows clearance behind your knees when seated against the backrest.
Maintain proper body posture:
- Sit with your hips and knees at a 90-degree or greater angle.
- Keep your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.
- Keep your arms relaxed at your sides, ideally with elbows at 70 – 135 degrees.
- Change posture frequently. Common postures include upright sitting, reclined sitting, and standing.
2. Monitor
- Place the monitor directly in front of you about an arm’s length away.
- Position the top of the monitor screen at or below eye level.
3. Keyboard and input devices
- Adjust the keyboard or chair height to keep forearms, wrists, and hands in a straight line.
- Place mouse and other input devices near to and at the same height as your keyboard.
- Keep your elbows close to your body.
4. Work area and lighting
- Allow ample clearance to move your knees and legs under the keyboard and desk.
- Avoid contact stress with edge of the desk and keyboard.
To reduce glare and shadows on your work surface:
- Adjust window shades or decrease overhead lighting.
- Adjust the monitor screen or add an anti-glare filter.
- Add a task light to illuminate paper references.
5. Accessories
- Get a headset if you regularly talk on the phone for extended periods. Use a lowered voice.
Use an adjustable document holder to:
- Place reference materials as close to the computer screen as possible.
- Keep materials at the same height and distance as your computer screen.
- Use your ergonomic accessories to support body posture (e.g. lumbar support, armrests, monitor blocks, external keyboard).
6. Healthy computing habits
- Use softer touch when keying and relax your grip on the mouse.
- Avoid working too long in one position.
- Change your body posture frequently.
- Take frequently breaks and stretch periodically.
- Give your eyes a visual break.
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