Workstation Adjustments - Keyboard & Mouse

One of the more important adjustments that you can make to your workstation is the placement and angle of your keyboard. Keep in mind the following points when adjusting your workstation keyboard:

• You do not have to position the keyboard at the front of the work surface if it is more comfortable for you to push it back. Make sure that your wrist is not resting on anything hard or sharp.
• The mouse should be positioned next to the keyboard. You should not have to extend your arm to operate your mouse. You should be able to keep your wrist straight while operating the mouse.

• The height of the keyboard should be adjusted so your arms can hang straight down between the shoulders and the elbows while extending your wrists horizontally. One clue for determining if your keyboard is too high is whether you find yourself resting the heel of your hand on the front of the keyboard or desk to type.
• The angle of the keyboard should match the angle of your forearm.
• A matte-finished keyboard can reduce the amount of glare reflected back to your eyes.

To learn more about Office Ergonomics visit our Office Ergonomics Online Training web page.