MAXIMIZING YOUR COMFORT AND EFFICIENCY WITH
THE NEUTRAL POSTURE KEYBOARD TECHNIQUE
A User's Guide To Safe Keyboarding

Ergonomic workstation systems are designed to encourage neutral postures. Notice how the forearms and upper legs of the illustrated figure are parallel to the floor, and the wrists and hands are level with the elbows.

ERGONOMICS AND THE NEUTRAL POSTURE KEYBOARD TECHNIQUE: A FORMULA FOR YOUR COMFORT, EFFICIENCY, AND SAFETY AT YOUR COMPUTER WORKSTATION

Improper posture, seating discomfort, and awkward hand and keyboard positions can result in early day fatigue and reduced efficiency. Long periods of repetitive work can lead to hand, neck, and back pain. Ergonomics, an applied science focused on human use, has provided an array of information critical to the design and proper use of office equipment, furniture and computer accessories. These ergonomic products can dramatically reduce discomfort and the resulting loss of productivity when used properly.

This easy-to-follow guide is designed to help you organize your work environment so you can develop a neutral posture keyboard technique that will help you be safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and reduce fatigue. Before we begin our review of the neutral posture keyboard technique, take a few minutes now to study your work environment and adjust it to the guidelines on the following page. Keep in mind that your work environment may be different than the one illustrated in this user's guide. That's okay, because the most important factor in determining your success with the neutral posture keyboard technique is establishing the correct height and distance relationships.

While making adjustments to your work environment, keep in mind that your keyboard and computer monitor should be directly in front of you at the appropriate height. Don't be hesitant to improvise. If your chair and monitor cannot be adjusted, sit on a pillow or use something to raise your monitor to the correct height.

ORGANIZING YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT

Some work environments can be easily adjusted to match your specific physical requirements. Others will require a little imagination and ingenuity. Take a few minutes now to find out which parts of your environment can be adjusted. Pay particular attention to your chair height and the height position of your computer monitor. If you are unsure about how your work environment might be adjusted, ask a co-worker or your supervisor for assistance.

Once you are familiar with the adjustment systems, begin by adjusting your chair. Then adjust your ergonomic keyboard system, and finally, your monitor height and position.