How Ergonomics Can Help You

Ergonomics is a term that has been receiving a lot of attention in the media over the past few years, and with good reason. It is the applied science of equipment and workplace design to maximize worker productivity by reducing operator fatigue.

Body positioning

There are a number of simple methods you can use to enhance your workspace ergonomics quickly and effectively. The layout of the workstation, and it’s positioning relative to the body are the most important factors to be considered, and can help eliminate conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

For example, your head and neck should be comfortably upright (no bending required). It is suggested that the top of the screen be at or slightly below eye level, with the screen positioned directly in front of you, to avoid unnecessary twisting of the torso, head or neck. Another area of importance is the positioning of the arms and wrists. The workstation should have enough room so that you can be close enough to the desk to have your upper arms comfortably close to the body, and the forearms and wrists should be straight out at ninety degrees from the upper arms.

Your equipment

A good chair, with lower support and adjustable height can greatly aid in maintaining a good, comfortable posture. A lot of people have been making the move to the split design of ergonomic keyboards, which are best suited to touch typists, although they can take some getting use to.

There has been a great deal of improvement in the design of computer mice over the last few years. The difference between an optical and ball mouse can be quite significant, as the optical sensor allows it to glide easily and the lack of a ball means no need to clean it. The physical design of the mouse can make a big difference as well, especially if one uses it a lot throughout the day. There are a number of designs of mice nowadays which are curved to fit the hand in a more natural position. This can relieve a lot of strain on the hand. Another item to consider would be your choice of mouse pad, available with a range of enhanced features for your mouse of choice, such as textured surfaces for better mouse ball traction, or optimized design graphics for optical mouse usage. Mouse pads can also come with built-in wrist support.

Screens

A shift from the old bulky CRT monitors to the new slimline LCD screens for use with computer workstations has occurred. LCD screens have many advantages over the older CRT models, including reduced glare from external lights, making them easier to view, and the elimination of ‘refresh’ where the older screens had to redisplay the image many times per second, which led to eventual user fatigue. The lower amount of space used by an LCD screen also gives you a lot more desk space. Then there is the reduced energy consumption, which is great for the environment.

Call us on (02) 9870 7777 for more information on a wide range of computer screens, keyboards and mice and any other computer components you need to help make your computing experience a comfortable and productive one.

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