User Manual

Healthy Computing Guide

This guide is designed to help you be comfortable and productive while

using your computer. It may also help you reduce your risk of experiencing

painful and disabling injuries or disorders described in the “Health Warning”

section. It only takes a moment to read, but the benefits can be lasting.

Position Yourself

Using your body in comfortable, not awkward, postures is important, whether you are

working or playing. Not only can this affect your overall productivity, but also it can

influence how comfortable you are while using your computer and may help you avoid

MSDs. Keep in mind that changing your posture during extended tasks may also help

you avoid discomfort and fatigue. When working or playing at the computer, adapt your

surroundings and arrange your computing equipment to promote a comfortable and

relaxed body posture. Because everyone has a unique body size and work

environment, we cannot tell you exactly how to set up your workstation to avoid

discomfort; however, the following suggestions may help to provide you with a more

comfortable environment.

To support your back, consider the following:

• Choose a chair that provides support for your lower back.

• Adjust your work surface height and your chair to assume a

comfortable and natural body posture.

To promote comfortable leg postures, consider the following:

• Clear away items from beneath your desk to allow comfortable leg positions and

movement.

• Use a footrest if your feet do not rest comfortably on the floor.

To minimize reaching and to promote comfortable shoulder and arm postures,

consider the following:

• Place your keyboard and mouse or trackball at the same height;

these should be at about elbow level. Your upper arms should

fall relaxed at your sides.

• When typing, center your keyboard in front of you with your

mouse or trackball located close to it.

• Place frequently used items comfortably within arm’s reach.

To promote proper wrist and finger postures, consider the following:

• Keep your wrists straight while typing and while using a mouse

or trackball. Avoid bending your wrists up, down, or to the sides.

Use the keyboard legs if they help you maintain a comfortable

and straight wrist position.

• Type with your hands and wrists floating above the keyboard, so

that you can use your whole arm to reach for distant keys

instead of stretching your fingers.