Home terminal

Home terminal

Carrying Equipment
Many strains and back injuries occur when lifting and lowering objects. Assume a lifting position that feels comfortable and be sure you have a firm footing and a good grip on the object. Test the weight of the load first, and if it seems within your limits, pull the object in close to your body and lift up smoothly with your legs. Try to keep your lower back tucked in during the lift. Keep the object close at all times and avoid any twisting or jerky movements. When you reach your destination, lower the object slowly by bending your knees and make sure your hands won't be pinched when you set it down.

Choosing A Location
When choosing a location for your new personal computer:

Try to pick a spot away from sources of glare such as windows, overhead lights, and shiny surfaces
Place the monitor so that the screen is perpendicular to any windows which will help avoid reflections (may be necessary to draw the shades or adjust the blinds at times)
Turning off room lights or switching to lower wattage bulbs will also minimize glare
If a task light is needed, it should be directed toward source documents and away from the monitor screen. Electrical equipment should not have plants or other potential sources of water above it.

Finding A Good Worksurface
A sturdy worksurface will be needed to support your VDT. In general, a standard height (29-30") desk or table will be too high for intensive keyboard or mouse use. Dedicated terminal tables and VDT workstations are available at many office supply stores and can be a worthwhile investment if you plan to spend a lot of time on the terminal. Look for one that has a 26-28" high keyboard shelf, rounded edges, and sufficient workspace for your materials and equipment. If you don't have a special worksurface, try raising your chair to provide a more comfortable arm angle (an approximate 90 degree angle between upper and lower arm is recommended) or use a keyboard tray. Raising your chair may also require you to use a footrest. Ideally, the keyboard should be located at approximately seated elbow level with hands and wrist in a straight or neutral position during use.

Small system units can usually be placed directly on the worksurface and the monitor stacked on top. Larger system units should be placed in a CPU stand on the floor. In either case, the monitor should be located directly in front of the keyboard and positioned so the top of the screen is at or slightly below seated eye level. If needed, the monitor can be raised by placing it on a sturdy bow, stack of books, or special monitor stand. If you wear bifocals during VDT use, a lower monitor height may be necessary to avoid awkward neck postures. Most people find 18-25" to be a comfortable viewing distance.

Selecting The Right Chair
The type of chair you use is another important factor when operating a VDT.

Look for one that is stable and easily adjustable from a seated position.
Choose a chair that provides good support for your body, especially the lower back.
If your chair is not comfortable, select a different chair, or try placing a small cushion or a rolled up towel behind your lower back for additional support.
Adjust the height of your chair so that your thighs are horizontal, your feet rest flat on the floor, and your arms and hands are comfortably positioned at the keyboard. Use a footrest, box, or large book to support your feet if they do not rest flat on the floor when your chair is properly adjusted.

Working Comfortably
Experiment with the position of your chair, keyboard, and monitor to find the arrangement that works best for you. Although there is no "ideal" working posture for every person, the preceding information and the following practices will help minimize fatigue and discomfort.

Change your seated position occasionally and stand up and stretch frequently to ensure good circulation.
Use a soft touch on the keyboard and try to keep your shoulders, hands, and fingers relaxed.
Use a document holder to position source documents at the same height and distance as the screen.
Adjust your monitor brightness and contrast controls to a comfortable level.
Clean your screen and eyeglasses (if you wear them) regularly.

VDT Accessories
There are a variety of commercially available accessories to help make you more comfortable and more productive while using a PC. Most popular products include keyboard palm rests, mouse palm rests, copy holders, keyboard trays, and anti-glare screens. Most can be found in stores and catalogs where office supplies and computers are sold. Shop carefully and be sure to try them out first if possible. Some products are much better designed than others. You should realize that VDT accessories are simply intended to improve comfort and help maintain neutral body postures. They are used as a complement, not substitute, for sound workstation design, good work practices, and frequent breaks.