| Computer furniture - what you have at our | | | | mouse. |
| computer workstation -can if correctly selected | | | | Your computer chair should :support your back, |
| and set up, help you avoid painful musculoskeletal | | | | and have a vertically adjustable independent back |
| disorders (MSD), and stay healthier and fitter at | | | | rest that returns to its original position, plus tilt |
| your PC. | | | | adjustment to support your lower back.allow you |
| It's not hard to do especially when you consider | | | | to adjust its height while seated.be adjusted so |
| that a bad computer furniture arrangement will, | | | | the back crease of the knee is slightly higher than |
| even in the short term:create and maintain a | | | | the pan of the chair (use a suitable footrest, if |
| distorted or unhealthy posture while using the | | | | required).be supported by a five prong caster |
| computer.give you inadequate lower back support, | | | | base.have removable and adjustable armrests, if |
| creating aches and pains later.force you into | | | | possible.- have a contoured seat with breathable |
| staying in one position too long, which would be | | | | fabric and rounded edges to distribute the weight, |
| another recipe for strain and muscular | | | | and be adjustable to allow the seat pan to tilt |
| tension.make you stretch bend and twist | | | | forward or back. |
| unecessarily. | | | | The table/desk should :provide ample leg room |
| So what features should your screen, desk, | | | | and be height adjustable (preferably).have enough |
| keyboard, mouse and chair have to keep you | | | | room to support the computer equipment plus |
| feeling good? | | | | space for documents.be at least 36 inches (90 |
| Your monitor should:swivel, tilt and elevate. Fit an | | | | cm) deep.have rounded blunt and undamaged |
| extra adjustable stand to adjust the height if | | | | corners and edges |
| need be. Or replace it.be positioned so the top line | | | | This covers the basics of good computer |
| of the monitor is not higher than your eyes or | | | | furniture setup, but you can improve your |
| not lower than 20° below the horizon of | | | | protection by taking further standard precautions: |
| your eyes or field of visionbe at the same level | | | | Ensure each user maintains their own set up. |
| and near the document holder (if you use one).be | | | | Taking regular breaks from working at your |
| between 20 to 25 inches (50-56 cm) away from | | | | computer for a few minutes, at least once an |
| your face | | | | hour. |
| Your keyboard should :be detachable and | | | | Alternating work tasks by mixing computer tasks |
| adjustable (with legs to adjust the angle).allow | | | | with non computer tasks to reduce strain. |
| your forearms to be parallel to the floor without | | | | Learning and carrying out keyboard shortcuts to |
| having to raise your elbows.allow your wrists to | | | | reduce mouse usage. |
| be in line with your forearms so your wrists don't | | | | Carrying out regular gentle stretching to relax |
| have to be flexed up or down.include enough | | | | your body. |
| space to rest your rists or should include a | | | | Using health support equipment such as footrests, |
| padded detachable wrist rest (or you can use a | | | | wrist/palm rests, and document holders if required |
| separate gel wrist rest which should be at least 2 | | | | Adopting a NEUTRAL BODY POSTURE, with |
| inches (50 mm) deep.be placed directly in front of | | | | hands, wrists, and forearms inline, straight, and |
| the monitor and at the same height as the | | | | almost parallel to the floor, body facing forward, |
| mouse, track ball, touch pad, or any other pointing | | | | shoulders relaxed,elbows close to body and bent |
| device. | | | | approximately at right angles. |
| The mouse or pointer device should :be close to | | | | If you organise and maintain a good PC furniture |
| the keyboard.allow you, (if possible), to use both | | | | set up, you'll be well on track for fit and healthy |
| left and right hands while handling the pointer | | | | computing through 2006 and beyond! |