Creating a comfortable working environment
The following suggestions concerning working with display screen equipment come from the Health and Safety Executive leaflet ‘Working with Display Screen Equipment (DSE)’.
Getting comfortable
- Forearms should be approximately horizontal and the user’s eyes should be the
- same height as the top of the screen.
- Make sure there is enough work space to accommodate all documents or other equipment. A document holder may help avoid awkward neck and eye movements.
- Arrange the desk and screen to avoid glare, or bright reflections. This is often easiest if the screen is not directly facing windows or bright lights
- Adjust curtains or blinds to prevent intrusive light.
- Make sure there is space under the desk to move legs.
- Avoid excess pressure from the edge of seats on the backs of legs and knees. A footrest may be helpful, particularly for smaller users.
Well-designed workstations -Keyboards and keying in (typing)
- A space in front of the keyboard can help you rest your hands and wrists when not keying.
- Try to keep wrists straight when keying.
- Good keyboard technique is important – you can do this by keeping a soft touch on the keys and not overstretching the fingers.
Using a mouse
- Position the mouse within easy reach, so it can be used with a straight wrist.
- Sit upright and close to the desk to reduce working with the mouse arm stretched
- Move the keyboard out of the way if it is not being used.
- Support the forearm on the desk, and don’t grip the mouse too tightly.
- Rest fingers lightly on the buttons and do not press them hard.
Reading the screen
- Make sure individual characters on the screen are sharp, in focus and don’t flicker or move. If they do, the DSE may need servicing or adjustment.
- Adjust the brightness and contrast controls on the screen to suit lighting conditions in the room.
- Make sure the screen surface is clean.
- When setting up software, choose text that is large enough to read easily on screen when sitting in a normal comfortable working position.
- Select colours that are easy on the eye (avoid red text on a blue background, or vice versa).
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