Setting Up and Using Your Linux Workstation
Working in Comfort and Safety
Chapter 1 29
• Hands, Wrists, Forearms. Try to keep your hands, wrists, and
forearms in a relaxed neutral position when using your mouse
keyboard or other input devices. For example, while using your
keyboard and mouse, rest your forearms on your desktop.
• Legs. Your thighs should be horizontal or angled slightly downward.
Your lower legs should be near a right angle to your thighs. Make
sure there is sufficient room under the work surface for your legs.
• Feet. If after adjusting your chair you cannot rest your feet
comfortably on the floor, use a footrest, preferably one that can be
adjusted in height and angle.
Additional Ergonomic Issues
• Look away from the screen from time to time to help reduce eyestrain.
Focus on distant objects briefly, and blink periodically to lubricate
your eyes. Have your eyes checked on a regular basis and ensure your
eyeglass prescription is suitable for working on a computer monitor.
• Remember to occasionally shift position and move your body. Keeping
your body in one position for long periods is unnatural and stressful.
When prolonged work is required, take frequent short breaks. As a
rule of thumb, a five or ten minute break every hour is a good idea.
Short frequent breaks are more beneficial than longer less frequent
breaks. People who work for long periods of time without a break may
be more prone to ergonomic injury.
• Changing tasks frequently helps prevent muscle stiffness. Alternate
between keyboarding, reading, writing, filing, and moving around in
your work environment to help you maintain a relaxed posture.
Occasionally stretch the muscles in your hands,arms, shoulders, neck
and back. You should stretch at least as often as you take brief task
breaks — once every hour.
• Discomfort may be alleviated by using alternative ergonomic designs
and accessories such as ergonomically personalized chairs, palm
rests, keyboard trays, alternative input devices, prescription
eyeglasses, and anti-glare screens. Seek additional information from
the sources available to you, including your employer, doctor, office
supply store, and the Information Sources listed in the online version
of Working in Comfort, (HP_INFO\WIC\language\envir.html) or
available on the HP web site www.hp.com/ergo.
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