70 Chapter 5 Last, but Not Least
Understanding Ergonomics
Herearesometipsforsettingupahealthyworkenvironment.

Keyboard

Whenyouusethekeyboard,yourshouldersshouldberelaxed.Yourupperarmand
forearmshouldformanapproximaterightangle,withyourwristandhandinroughly
astraightline.
Changehandpositionsoftentoavoidfatigue.Somecomputerusersmightdevelop
discomfortintheirhands,wrists,orarmsafterintensiveworkwithoutbreaks.Ifyou
begintodevelopchronicpainordiscomfortinyourhands,wrists,orarms,consulta
qualiedhealthspecialist.

Mouse

Positionthemouseatthesameheightasthekeyboardandwithinacomfortablereach.

Chair

Anadjustablechairthatprovidesrm,comfortablesupportisbest.Adjusttheheight
ofthechairsoyourthighsarehorizontalandyourfeetareatontheoor.Thebackof
thechairshouldsupportyourlowerback(lumbarregion).Followthemanufacturer’s
instructionsforadjustingthebackresttotyourbodyproperly.
Youmighthavetoraiseyourchairsothatyourforearmsandhandsareattheproper
angletothekeyboard.Ifthismakesitimpossibletorestyourfeetatontheoor,use
afootrestwithadjustableheightandtilttomakeupforanygapbetweentheoorand
yourfeet.Oryoucanlowerthedesktoptoeliminatetheneedforafootrest.Another
optionistouseadeskwithakeyboardtraythat’slowerthantheregularworksurface.