Get an ergonomic specialist to assess what your employees need. Without expert help, buying what you think is an ergonomic solution can cost you more.

Each person is different. Some will be more in tune with their bodies than others. People come in different sizes. Well, you knew that, didn’t you?

Providing top-of-the-line equipment to people who don’t have a sense of their own body mechanics is likely to be an exercise in futility. Training is important.

Posture please

Good posture makes all the difference.  Even if there is little budget for creating an injury-free workplace, body awareness, taking breaks, and stretching frequently don’t have to cost much (if anything).

Trial and error

If you can’t locate an ergonomic specialist, then you’ll be (like me) subject to trial and error.   I’ve spent a fair amount of time working on my own set up. I probably would have saved money by hiring and an ergonomist in the first place. I spent a long time doing the research.

Don’t just sit there!

We humans weren’t designed to sit in chairs for long periods. When I sat at a computer all day my energy sagged. For me, standing up at my computer gives me more energy. I have an Anthro Ajusta cart which allows me the options of sitting or standing. I do both. I can raise or lower the keyboard portion of the desk in an instant.

I have a Salli MultiAdjuster saddle chair (mine is designed for the male anatomy) which took some getting used to, but it allows my back to be straight. I don’t suffer from lower-back pain. The tendency for all of us is to collapse over time. The shoulders round, the head protrudes. This is not good. Recognizing when you are tired is important because collapsing into a poor posture stretches and distorts muscles; this in turn leads to even poorer posture. There is evidence that posture has an emotional component to it. Collapse doesn’t feel good.

Flex that monitor

My two monitors are on 7Flex monitor arms. This allows them to be easily maneuvered into just about any position I want. Adjusting your position throughout the day is recommended by ergonomists.  Most of the literature says you should position your monitor(s) about 2 -3 inches above your eye line. Think comfort.

Ouch! Straight keyboard

The right keyboard is essential. I used a Microsoft Natural Keyboard for many years. Why they made the keyboard with a slope making your wrist bend, I shall never know. The newer models avoid this problem. Nevertheless, I have moved to a Kinesis Freestyle Solo split keyboard and, so far in my experience, it allows for better individual hand positioning.  This is a strange looking device and like all new tools you have to spend some time with them.

Point and click

I recently retired my Kensington trackball. In many ways I liked it, but similar to the Microsoft Natural Keyboard version I was using, the trackball  had a slope that made my wrist bend awkwardly. I find the Evoluent Vertical Mouse a better design. The forearm is more in the natural position.

See what you’re doing

Get a desk lamp. Good lighting reduces eyestrain.

Why type at all?

Ideally, voice recognition software would be a replacement for typing.  It’s still only a partial solution. I bought a copy of Dragon Speaking Naturally but didn’t have much luck installing it.  I am still training my Microsoft Office 2003 (XP) to help out. Right now, I can type as fast. It’s worthwhile spending the time to teach the software to recognize your voice. Accuracy improves the more you train it. It’s an investment in productivity.

Getting the right equipment for your employees might seem like a cost, but think of the consequences of chronic contorting ourselves into painful shapes.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have dramatically increased in the years since the introduction of the personal computer. In the United States, more workers are injured using a computer keyboard than operating any other tool.

Use technology, don’t be enslaved by it.