J

AVOID!.

Place a visor on your monitor. This device may be as simple as a piece of cardboard extending out over the monitor’s top front edge.

Avoid tilting or swiveling your display in a way that leads to an uncomfortable head or upper back posture.

HINT: Eliminating Glare

Try positioning your monitor so that its side faces the windows.

Avoid compromising your posture to compensate for glare or reflections.

Try to avoid bright light sources in your field of vision. For example, don’t face an uncovered window during daylight hours.

Keyboard and Pointing Device

Place your keyboard, mouse, and other input devices, so that you can use them with your body in a relaxed, comfortable position. In this way, you don’t have to reach or shrug your shoulders while working.

Positioning the keyboard

Position the keyboard directly in front of you to avoid twisting your neck and torso. This makes it possible to type with your shoulders relaxed and your upper arms hanging freely at your sides.

Adjusting the keyboard height and slope

Your elbow height should be near the height of your keyboard’s home row (see illustration under Shoulders and Elbows on page 9). Adjust your keyboard slope so that your wrists are straight.

Aligning the mouse and keyboard

When using a mouse or detached trackball, position the device immediately to the right or left of your keyboard.

Using a keyboard tray comfortably

If you use a keyboard tray, make sure it is wide enough to accommodate your pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball. Otherwise, you will probably place the mouse on your desktop, higher and farther away than the keyboard. This will lead you to stretch forward repeatedly, and uncomfortably, to reach the mouse.

Safety and Comfort

1-13