Safety and Comfort 12-15

Arm Supports and a Palm Rest

You may find that supports for your forearms or hands allow you to be more relaxed and comfortable.

Using Arm Supports

Some chairs and desks provide padded areas for resting your arms. You may find it comfortable to rest the middle of your forearms on these supports while typing, pointing, or pausing. Arm supports are properly adjusted when your shoulders are in a comfortable position and your wrists are straight.

Using a Palm Rest

A palm rest is designed to provide support during pauses, not during typing or pointing. While typing or using a pointing device, keep wrists free to move, not anchored or resting on a palm rest, the desk, or your thighs.

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AVOID!

RIGHT!

You may find that arm supports help you relax your shoulders and keep your wrists free to move while typing.

For Pauses Only

Palm rests should only be used during pauses, when you are not typing or using your pointing device.

Armrests should not cause you to:

Shrug or drop your shoulders.

Put excessive pressure on your elbows.

“Wing” your arms (extend elbows out to the sides).