Your Desk, Your Input Devices, Your Screen

Your Desk

There is no specific height recommended for your desk. This can vary between 60 and 70 cm, depending upon your size. The standard workaround is that it should be at approximately your elbow height.

The desktop should be clean and organised in such a way that frequently used objects are close enough without excessive reaching. If you use a document holder, it should be placed at approximately the same height as the monitor and at the same distance from the eyes to prevent frequent eye shifts.

The area underneath the desk should be clean to accommodate your legs and allow for stretching.

Your Input Devices

Note the following points when positioning your notebook or any external input devices.

•Position your keyboard directly in front of you. Avoid reaching when using your keyboard or mouse.

•If you use a mouse, position it at the same height as the keyboard and next to the keyboard. Keep your wrists straight and use your entire arm when moving a mouse. Do not grasp the mouse tightly. Grasp the mouse lightly and loosely.

•Adjust the keyboard height so that your elbows are near your body and your forearms are parallel to the floor, with your forearms resting on either armrests or forearm supports, in the manner described previously. If you do not have armrests or forearm supports, your upper arms should hang comfortably at your sides.

•Adjust the keyboard slope so that your wrists are straight while you are typing.

•Type with your hands and wrists floating above the keyboard. Use a wrist pad only to rest your wrists between typing. Avoid resting your wrists on sharp edges.

•Type with your wrists straight. Instead of twisting your wrists sideways to press hard-to- reach keys, move your whole arm. Keep from bending your wrists, hands, or fingers sideways.

•Press the keys gently; do not bang them. Keep your shoulders, arms, hands and fingers relaxed.

Your Screen

Correct placement and adjustment of the screen can reduce eye, shoulder, and neck fatigue. Check the following when you position the screen.

•Adjust the height of your screen so that the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level. Your eyes should look slightly downward when viewing the middle of the screen.

•Position your screen no closer than 30 cm and no further away than 75 cm from your eyes. The optimal distance is between 35 cm and 45 cm.

•Rest your eyes periodically by focusing on an object at least 6 metres away. Blink often.

•Position the screen at a 90° angle to windows and other light sources to minimise glare and reflections. Adjust the screen tilt so that ceiling lights do not reflect on your screen.

•If reflected light makes it hard for you to view your screen, use an anti-glare filter.

•Clean your screen regularly. Use a lint-free, non-abrasive cloth and a non-alcohol, neutral, non-abrasive cleaning solution or glass cleaner to minimise dust.

•Adjust the screen brightness and contrast controls to enhance readability.