Ergonomics

The term "ergonomics" is derived from two Greek words: "ergon", meaning work and "nomoi", meaning natural laws.

Ergonomists study human capabilities in relationship to work demands and contribute to the design and evaluation of tasks, jobs, products, environments and systems in order to make them compatible with the needs, abilities and limitations of people

The monitor should be at eye level so that you only need to move your eyes to see the whole screen. Having to look down or up, puts strain on your neck and muscles to your head leading to headaches. The monitor should be square in front of you.

The Keyboard should be straight in front of you and easy to reach. Your wrists should be fairly straight. You may want to invest in a wrist support, which lies in front of the keyboard and can be bought from computer shops.

Keep the mouse close to your keyboard and work area. Your lower arm should be about parallel to your desk with your elbows just a little lower.

Don't let the weight of your armrest on the underside of your wrist. There are special mouse pads with a gel wrist rest, which provide great support.

Ideally your desk should be about belly button level with your elbows just below the desktop. You may need to raise your desk or if it is too high then raise your chair and use a footrest.

If you use the telephone quite a bit then you may want to invest in a headset. Do not perch the telephone between your ear and shoulder!

You should be sitting right back in your chair not perched off the front. Pull your chair right in so that your fingers comfortably reach the keyboard and so that your back and shoulders are straight and supported by the back of your chair.

Get up from your desk at least once every hour. Walk around or do a small chore to give your body some movement.