Setting Up Your VDT Workstation for Comfort and Productivity

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Setting Up Your VDT Workstation for Comfort and
Productivity
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Understanding the Goals of Workstation Arrangement

• Comfort
• Productivity
• Neutral But Changing Postures

3
Head/Neck Neutral Postures

• Downward Line of Sight Angle
• 15 - 30 Degrees From Horizontal
• Avoid Head Upright - Looking Straight Ahead

4
Seated Posture

• For Operators Who Alternate Keying With Other
  Tasks Reclining Posture
• For Operators Who Perform Intensive Keying
  Non-Reclining Posture

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Seated Posture

• Reclining Posture Similar to the Posture One
  Assumes While Driving a Car
• Non-Reclining Posture More Upright With
  Leg-Thigh Angle at gt 90 Degrees
• To Accomplish This, Tilt the Seatpan Forward a
  Few Degrees

6
Wrist/Arm/Shoulder Posture

• Hand/Wrist Should Align With Forearm During
  Keying
• Elbows Should Rest Comfortably at the Sides
• Shoulders Should Be Relaxed

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Arranging Your Workstation

• Changing One Workstation Setting May Affect the
  Requirements of Other Workstation Settings
• Start With a Good Quality Adjustable Chair
• Adjust the Seatpan Height to Your Dimensions
• Feet Should Reach the Floor Comfortably
• Select a Comfortable Recline
• Adjust Arm Rests (if any)

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Chairs

• Chairs Should Have Separate Seat and Backrest
  Tilt Mechanisms
• Lock the Backrest Tilt to Your Preferred Recline
• Adjust the Lumbar Support for the Lower Back
• Chair Arm-Rests are Not Necessary But May Be
  Preferred

9
Monitor Location

• Position So That the Top of Monitor is Several
  Inches Below Eye Level
• If Necessary, Remove Monitor From Atop CPU (set
  directly on top of desk or table)
• Adjust the Desk or Table Height to Lower or Raise
  Monitor
• Position Monitor Close Enough for Easy Reading,
  Usually 20-40 Inches Distance

10
Monitor

• Use Monitor Tilt Feature to Reduce Direct or
  Reflected Glare
• If Necessary, Modify the Work Station Location in
  Relation to Light Sources or Windows
• Place Monitor Facing 90 Degrees to Windows or
  Light Sources

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Keyboard Arrangement

• Place Keyboard in Adjustable Keyboard Tray
• Adjust Keyboard Height to Your Dimensions
• Tilt Keyboard Tray Forward or Backward to
  Encourage Neutral Hand/Wrist Posture
• Check for Thigh Clearance Under Tray
• Modify Settings Until Comfortable

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Keyboard Arrangement

• Negative Angle Keyboard Trays Have Improved
  Hand/Wrist Postures of Test Subjects
• Using a Negative Angle Tray Places Keyboard
  Lower, Closer to Ones Lap
• Operators Using a Negative Angle Tray May Prefer
  Their Mouse Pad Higher

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Mouse Pads

• Mouse Pad Can Be Attached to Keyboard Tray on
  Right or Left Side
• Mouse Pad Should Be At Same General Height As
  Keyboard - But Need Not Exactly Match
• Select Mouse Style for Comfort and Productivity

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Complete Your Workstation

• Use a Headset If You Talk on Phone While Keying
• Provide Adequate Space for Other Tasks (Writing,
  Reading, Dialing Telephone, etc.)
• Position Frequently Used Materials Within Easy
  Reach

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Complete Your Workstation

• Very Short Operators May Need a Footrest
• Adjustable Footrests Are Preferred
• Use a Copy Holder to Create Additional Desk-Top
  Space or Improve Head/Neck Posture
• Avoid Clutter Which May Conflict With Needed Body
  Space

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VDT Operators

• Take Frequent Breaks and Move About
• Re-Adjust Aspects of Your Workstation
  Periodically
• Stretching and/or Exercise Can Make You Feel
  Better
• Bifocal or Trifocal Lens Wearers May Need
  Separate Glasses for Computer Work

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS