In this section
Special Offer
Info Kit + Membership for $29.50: Order the RSI Information Kit. Based on the latest medical research
worldwide, as well as the experience of hundreds of people with overuse
injuries, the kit contains over 100 pages of essential RSI/OOS info,
including personal stories and practical ideas, as well as a wide range
of treatment options.
All for only $25
Checklist for safer computing
This checklist can be used by both teachers and students to evaluate safer computing practices.
Download printable version in PDF format
First, let's look at the workstation
| Is the monitor slightly below eye-level? | |
| Are the keyboard and mouse on the same level? | |
| Is the mouse close to the side of the body, so it can be easily reached without extending the forearm sideways? |
Now look at posture
| Is your head directly over your shoulders? (Ears in line with shoulders and not hunched over). | |
| Is your back straight and lower back supported by the chair? | |
| Are your thighs and arms parallel to the floor? | |
| Are your shoulders and arms loose and relaxed? | |
| Is your head straight most of the time and not looking down at the keys? (Touch-typing skills are a big help here!) |
And what about technique?:
| Are your fingers resting on the mouse between the clicks? (Make sure the clicking finger it is not being raised between use). | |
| Are your fingers relaxing into a rainbow down to the keys when typing? (No claws or spider legs!) | |
| Elbows close to the side of the body, at just slightly more than a 90° angle? | |
| Do you know to take regular breaks to stand and stretch? | |
| You also need plenty of aerobic exercise -- it's highly protective against overuse injury. | |
| Breathing from the abdomen can help too - not short chest breaths but belly breaths that get oxygen into the blood and out to muscles. |
And last but not least
| Are you able to touch type? This can help prevent overuse injury. | |
| Have you received training in the program you are using? This training will reduce the frustration of learning by trial and error. | |
| Do you know the keyboard shortcuts? Using keyboard shortcuts will cut down mouse use and help prevent mouse injury. |
Download printable version in .PDF
If this information helped you, please make a tax deductible donation. We operate on a shoestring and every bit helps!
