| to the Information Revolution of the 1990s, | | | | Improper keyboard use or awkward positions can |
| computers have become staple fixtures at | | | | result in incorrect postures. Ergonomic specialists |
| offices and homes. And since so much time is | | | | need to make sure workers avoid the following |
| spent tapping on keyboards and staring at | | | | positions: excessive shoulder flexion or abduction; |
| monitors, itâs essential to create a safe | | | | elbows flexed or extended beyond 80 to 90 |
| and comfortable computer set-up. | | | | degrees; and wrists that are flexed, extended or |
| Ergonomics is the applied science of equipment | | | | ulnar deviated. |
| design thatâs intended to maximize | | | | As remote office environments grow, so does |
| productivity by reducing operator fatigue and | | | | the popularity of laptop computers. While laptops |
| discomfort. Computer-related ergonomic risk | | | | provide lightweight, portable computer access, |
| factors include awkward postures, static positions | | | | they also have their drawbacks--namely, bad |
| and highly repetitive tasks. A poorly configured | | | | ergonomics. Since the keyboard is concentrated |
| workspace can result in chronic musculoskeletal | | | | on a single flat plane, it eliminates the ability to |
| discomfort and may even lead to Cumulative | | | | separate, tilt, tent or replace the position of |
| Trauma Disorders, scar tissue formation and | | | | individual keys and keypads. And thereâs |
| adaptive tissue shortening. Methods of reducing | | | | virtually no adjustability to improve shoulder, |
| these risk factors involve maintaining neutral joint | | | | elbow, wrist or hand positioning. |
| postures, alternating tasks, implementing stretch | | | | However, clinicians can encourage laptop users to |
| breaks and using adjustable equipment. | | | | follow several guidelines to reduce musculoskeletal |
| Numerous components affect the efficiency of a | | | | strain and fatigue. Despite the name, a laptop |
| computer workstation, such as the keyboard, | | | | shouldnât be used on your lap. As with |
| mouse or trackball, monitor, work surface, chair, | | | | personal computers, correct ergonomic set-up is |
| foot support and organizational arrangement. While | | | | essential to avoid injury. Arrange the laptop to |
| all these elements must be evaluated to improve | | | | maximize neutral positions of the shoulders, |
| workstation postures, the keyboard is a crucial | | | | elbows, wrists and hands. |
| part of the equation. | | | | When possible, workers should use a regular |
| Since a keyboard is a primary component of the | | | | keyboard and plug-in mouse, and take advantage |
| computer set up, itâs important to have | | | | of docking stations, food trays or pillows to |
| a properly designed device to prevent injuries to | | | | promote neutral postures. The best sitting option |
| the arms, wrists and hands. Ergonomic keyboard | | | | is a stationary chair without arm rests, which |
| design promotes neutral postures and reduces | | | | allows users to adjust arm positioning. |
| strain on working joints, muscles and tendons. | | | | Workers should avoid pounding the keys, |
| The following guidelines can help ergonomic | | | | especially if the key touch is light and the keypad |
| specialists select the appropriate keyboard for | | | | is shallow. Encourage workers to use larger joints, |
| workers. | | | | such as the hand and arm, to move from key to |
| ⢠Compatibility. Verify that the keyboard | | | | key, as opposed to stretching fingers and wrists. |
| is compatible with existing computer hardware, | | | | And to avoid compression, workers should only |
| software and alternate input devices, such as the | | | | use the wrist rest to rest, and not while typing. |
| mouse, pen tablet or trackball. | | | | To maintain a neutral neck position, teach |
| ⢠Spatial considerations. Evaluate a | | | | workers to avoid looking down long stretches, |
| workstation to ensure that the keyboard fits into | | | | tuck the chin in and keep the head balanced over |
| its space properly. For efficiency and ergonomic | | | | the shoulders. Frequent stretch breaks also |
| safety, a keyboard should be centered beneath | | | | minimize strain from awkward postures and static |
| the monitor. Note the size, posture and work | | | | positions. |
| habits of the user in order to position the | | | | A keyboard is only one piece of the ergonomic |
| keyboard at the appropriate height. | | | | puzzle. In order to effectively reduce |
| ⢠Parts and operation. A keyboard must | | | | musculoskeletal discomfort and injuries that result |
| meet user needs. Make sure all necessary | | | | from improper computer set-ups, itâs |
| components are present on the keyboard before | | | | essential to analyze and adjust all components. |
| selecting a model. For example, not every | | | | Keyboards arenât a one-size-fits-all piece |
| alternative keyboard contains number pads. In | | | | of computer equipment, which makes an individual |
| addition, individual keys should be easy to depress, | | | | assessment a mandatory part of a |
| since extra effort may cause strain. | | | | comprehensive ergonomic workstation evaluation. |
| ⢠Compare and contrast. Test different | | | | Alternative Keyboard Designs Lend a Hand |
| models to compare performance and productivity. | | | | Alternative keyboards and features can help |
| If possible, a worker should try the keyboard on | | | | correct poor hand, wrist and finger positioning to |
| a trial basis, since most ergonomic problems build | | | | reduce strain on joints, muscles and tendons. |
| over time. | | | | Designs include: |
| ⢠Education. Ergonomic evaluators should | | | | ⢠Split keyboards. Split keyboards |
| be experienced and knowledgeable in order to | | | | separate the keypads by increasing the distance |
| make suitable recommendations. Practitioners | | | | between the right and left sides or by tilting |
| should also educate users on proper keyboard | | | | keyboard pads away from each other. The design |
| use and maintenance. Follow up with the | | | | keeps the wrists straight. |
| comprehensive ergonomic program and reassess | | | | ⢠Tented keyboards. A tented design |
| the workstation to ensure worker safety and | | | | divides a keyboardâs right and left sides |
| comfort. This ergonomic program should include: | | | | and tilts them up like a tent. This position reduces |
| work injury screening, ergonomic job | | | | forearm pronation. |
| assessments for high risk job tasks, ergonomic | | | | ⢠Built-in wrist rests. This feature provides |
| equipment recommendations, follow up and | | | | additional support to the wrists and forearms, but |
| review of program effectiveness. | | | | workers must be careful to avoid excessive |
| Management commitment is critical to a | | | | contact pressure on peripheral nerves. |
| successful ergonomic program. When using a | | | | ⢠Sloped keyboards. Traditional keyboard |
| keyboard to type, good posture involves keeping | | | | designs use a positive slope, which places the |
| the shoulders, wrists and elbows in neutral | | | | back of the keyboard higher than the front. This |
| positions. Ideally, the arms should hang loosely at | | | | often causes unnecessary wrist extension, which |
| the sides, with the shoulders extended 0 to 15 | | | | increases pressure in the carpal tunnel area and |
| degrees. The elbows should fall at mid-range, level | | | | strains working tendons. On the other hand, a |
| or slightly higher than the keyboard and bent 80 | | | | negative or neutral slope promotes a more |
| to 90 degrees. The wrists should remain straight | | | | inactive wrist position, since the plane of the |
| and neutral. And the hands and fingers should be | | | | keyboard is level or slightly higher in front. |
| relaxed, with the fingers curved or flexed slightly. | | | | ⢠Key position. |