Ergonomics

Introduction

After typing a long report or after a long day at work in front of a computer do you feel tired maybe in a bit of pain? You may be suffering from a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). In other words, your work station isnÐŽ¦t ergonomically designed well for you. After reading this report you will understand how to set up a proper computer station and alternative components to help your needs.

Setting up a Computer Work Station

It is very important that you set up your computer workstation correctly or else you could experience the following:

Ñ"ж Pain in the back may occur from your chair not being positioned correctly making one of your plates in your spin go out of place.

Ñ"ж Pain in the neck may occur from your monitor not being placed correctly therefore, youÐŽ¦re looking up frequently.

Ñ"ж Blurriness/tiredness/soreness of the eyes may be caused by glare and your monitor may be too far away from your face.

Ñ"ж Inflammation of the wrist may be caused from typing incorrectly.

Ñ"ж Inflammation of the elbow may be caused from frequent reaching for the mouse or keyboard.

Therefore, when setting up your home computer, consider the following:

Ñ"ж The chair must be, when standing, a little bellow your knees. When sitting there should be a fist in between the front edge of the seat and the lower part of the legs. Also your arm rest should be positioned at 90 degrees from the keyboard.

Ñ"ж The monitor should be placed directly in front of you with a limit of 30 degrees from the top of the monitor to where youÐŽ¦re looking straight. Also the monitor should be placed 40 to 65 cm from your face. Consider the amount of light in the room as well.

Ñ"ж The mouse should be at the same level as the keyboard to prevent reaching. Using wrist rest on keyboard and for the mouse is a good idea.

Ñ"ж Have a copy holder so that youÐŽ¦re not frequently looking over to see what you are typing.

Preventing Ongoing Health Problems

The risk of injury is never entirely eliminated, although there are ways you can decrease RSIÐŽ¦s when using a computer, theyÐŽ¦re as follows:

Ñ"ж Take a 5 minute break every hour and walk around and get away from computer.

Ñ"ж Change positions often, this will help you muscle so they donÐŽ¦t get stiff.

Ñ"ж Stand up/stretch/move around often this will help you muscles as well.

Alternative Pointing Devices

When using computers we probably use the mouse and keyboard the most of all the fancy devices. As we use more of them they become a problem and increase the risk or RSIÐŽ¦s such as carpal tunnel and tennis elbow. Luckily producers of these input devices are creating alternative pointing devices. These products also give the opportunity for a person who has a physical disability to use computers as