HEALTHY COMPUTING EMAIL TIP 546: LOW COST ECONOMICS
With a shrinking budget, how can I improve my ergonomic set-up? Ergonomic
changes don't necessarily have to cost a lot of money, What is required is
creativity. Help reduce discomfort caused by poor ergonomics and increase
creativity when you implement LOW COST ERGONOMICS.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT LOW COST ERGONOMICS:
Take a moment to assess your workstation. Then explore the following
simple and inexpensive ergonomic problems.
Desk too low:
-Place 2x4 boards, bricks, etc. under the legs of the desk.
Desk too high:
-Trim the legs.
-Raise your chair and use a footrest or create a platform upon which you can sit.
Footrest:
-Use phone books or firm pillows.
No room for a mouse on your keyboard tray:
-Place a mouse bridge over the 10-key pad.
-Use a c-clamp with a small board next to the keyboard tray to create
a mouse pad.
No document holder:
-Prop a 1-inch 3-ring binder between the keyboard and monitor--use a small piece of anti-skid material or a large clip to keep documents from sliding (anti-skid material is often sold at hardware stores or Target, where it is sold as shelf liner).
-If you are reading a book, use a fork to keep the pages open-place it across the top with the prongs slipped through the pages on the right and the handle pressing against the pages on the left.
Slant table for writing:
-Use hard cover 2-inch 3-ring binder with anti-skid material.
Chair:
-Use a pillow for better back support.
-Remove the armrests if they get in the way of working at the keyboard.
-Roll a towel and hang it over the back so it supports your spine and helps you to maintain a neutral posture.
-Wrap the armrests with soft, spongy material if they are too hard.
-Sit on a large gym ball instead of a chair.
Negative keyboard tilt:
-Place a row of post-it pads underneath the front of the keyboard.
Sharp edges on the desk:
-Glue a strip of weather stripping to the edge.
Monitor too close:
-Move your desk away from the wall and push your monitor to the back.
Regardless of your ergonomic situation, always remember to take your
breaks-micro-, meso-, and large movement.
*We thank Ray Grott for some of these pragmatic solutions.
