Office worker ergonomics
Safety+Health shares – in pictures – how the National Safety Council conducts ergonomics assessments of workers’ desks and chairs to help prevent MSDs.
Keyboard and mouse
The computer keyboard and mouse should be comfortably within reach while allowing the forearms, hands and wrists to be roughly parallel to the floor at rest. Wrists in the neutral position should be supported by a wrist or palm support.
Click on a tab to view the illustrated recommendation.
The keyboard should be at about the same height as the forearms and slightly tilted. Keyboard trays can be added to allow the employee to raise or lower the keyboard to his or her comfort level.
The mouse should be close to the keyboard and at the same height, allow use without needing to overly reach or extend, and be far enough away from the edge of the workstation surface that the employee’s wrist does not rest on the edge.
Consider providing the employee with an ergonomic mouse if space on the work surface is limited, and to help prevent or avoid aggravating MSDs.
Photos: Ian Palmer
Special thanks to Susan Evangelou and Al Legoo
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