Typing Ergonomics

The goal of typing ergonomics is to reduce the strain, stress and wear and tear of your joints as you repeatedly type away.

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Statistics, about 95% of an office worker's day is spent in front of the computer, typing and using the mouse.

While using ergonomic keyboards and setting up ergonomic workstations are great for reducing risks of computer injuries, we shouldn't forget that the way we use it is important as well.

To prevent computer injuries like the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, we should

Learn how to type properly The proper typing posture Keyboarding posture Hand Posture

Preparation Of Typing Posture

1. Get yourself in position for proper typing posture.

2. The right keyboarding posture is to ensure that your keyboard is at a comfortable height for your fingers.

3. Your back must be straight but not overly arched.

4. If your feet is not flat on the ground, it would make ergonomic sense to get a foot rest. You can use a phone directory as well.

Keyboard Posture

Some ergonomists argue that the best keyboard posture is to have the keyboard elevated in the opposite direction, which means you'll be typing 'downwards'. This is because your wrists would be in a more natural position and you can rest better that way (when not typing).

In a Cornell school project for ergonomics, it says that the Ideal typing (keyboard) posture is Negative slope keyboard support

Quoting:

In the ideal typing posture both static and dynamic muscle loads are minimized. This posture is achieved when the keyboard is below seated elbow height and the keyboard base is gently sloped away from the user so that the key tops are accessible to the hands in a neutral posture. In this position the arms, shoulders, neck and back can relax, especially during brief rest pauses. Also, in this slightly reclined sitting position the low back rests against the lumbar support of the chair, the elbow angle is opened to promote circulation to the lower arm and hand, the abdominal angle, and the popliteal angle (behind the knees) are opened to promote blood circulation. The feet rest firmly upon the floor.

Hand Posture

1. When typing, keep fingers relaxed.

2. Type lighting with your fingertips. It would be like 'tapping' the keyboard, rather than pressing the keys like a button.

3. If your work requires frequent typing, keeping fingernails short makes more ergonomic sense.

4. It is better to type with your wrists above the keyboard, rather than resting it. That will cause you to overstretch your fingers.

5. Your mouse should be close by and accessible.

What is your current hand posture?

Other Typing Ergonomics Tips

Ergonomics are not just to prevent strain and pain but to increase efficiency.

1. Do not smash the keyboard. Practice typing lightly. It is more efficient and will not wear out your fingers.
2. Get used to typing right to minimise the use of pressing more keys than you should.
3. To increase speed and accuracy, make sure your wrists are elevated. You'll move quicker and have fewer errors.

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