A-2 Setting Up a Healthy Work EnvironmentThe instructions in this appendix can help you control orprevent undue strain to your muscles, tendons, and nerves.The instructions can also promote maximum comfortthroughout your day, minimize fatigue, increase yourproductivity and job satisfaction, and improve the qualityof your work.If you experience any discomfort while working at yourcomputer or afterwards, review the instructions here todetermine if you followed them correctly. Make anynecessary adjustments to your computer equipment or workarea. If symptoms persist overnight and continue to the nextmorning or throughout a weekend of rest, reduce yourkeyboard use to a minimum and see a physician as soonas possible.Arranging EquipmentArrange your office equipment so that you can work in anatural and relaxed position. Make sure the table or standsupporting your computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse isat the proper height as described here. Be sure the table orstand is large enough to hold the equipment and necessarywork items.Adjust your computer setup by physically lowering orraising the computer table and/or your chair.Plan to keep work items used regularly in easy reach.When sitting at your computer:n point your head straight forward relative to yourshoulders and body.n adjust the keyboard, mouse, and chair so that yourwrists are as straight as possible and your forearms areparallel to the floor.n sit so your knees are slightly lower than your hips.
