The way you place your screen, keyboard and mouse decides whether your neck, shoulders, wrists and eyes are comfortable at the end of the day. The Schedule to the DSE Regulations sets minimum standards for each, and HSE guidance gives practical tips.
The screen
The Schedule says the display screen must have:
- well-defined, stable characters of adequate size, with no flicker or other instability;
- a brightness and contrast that the user can adjust easily;
- a screen that swivels and tilts easily (a separate base or an adjustable table can do this);
- no glare or distracting reflections.
HSE advice for where to put it:
- Place the screen about an arm's length away. You should be able to read it without leaning forward.
- Put the top of the screen roughly level with your eyes, so that you look slightly down at the text and never up.
- Place the screen directly in front of you, not to one side, so that you do not twist your neck.
- Tilt it slightly back, so you look at it straight on, and avoid glare from windows and lights.
- Keep the screen clean. Dust and marks lower contrast.
- Adjust the text size and the brightness so that you can read without effort.
Common ergonomic advice for two screens: put the screen you use most in front of you. If you use both equally, put them side by side, close together, and sit in the middle so that you turn your head a little in each direction. Do not twist your body.
The keyboard
The Schedule says the keyboard must be tiltable and separate from the screen, so that the user can find a comfortable working position. There must be space in front of it to support the hands and arms. It must have a matt surface to avoid glare, and the symbols on the keys must be easy to read.
HSE advice:
- Leave a space in front of the keyboard so that you can rest your hands and wrists between bursts of typing.
- Keep your wrists straight and your forearms roughly level. Do not bend your wrists up, down or sideways.
- Type with a light touch. Do not hit the keys hard.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed. Raised shoulders show that something is too high or too far.
- Do not rest your wrists on a hard edge while typing.
The mouse
- Place the mouse close to the keyboard so that you do not have to reach.
- Support your forearm on the desk and keep the wrist straight. HSE suggests the mouse is in line with your elbow.
- Hold it loosely. Do not grip it hard, and rest your fingers lightly on the buttons.
- Use keyboard shortcuts for common tasks to cut down on mouse use.
- If you have pain in the hand or wrist, ask for a different type of mouse or a different layout. Left-handed people should have a mouse that suits their hand.
Software
The software that you use is part of the workstation. The Schedule says it must be suitable for the task, easy to use and adapted to the user's level of knowledge. Systems must show information in a format and at a pace that people can follow. The employer should not use software to monitor the quantity or quality of work without the users knowing.
Key points
- Screen: about an arm's length away, top roughly level with the eyes, directly in front and free from glare.
- Keyboard: separate from the screen, tiltable, with space in front for resting the hands.
- Mouse: close to the keyboard, forearm supported, loose grip.
- Keep wrists straight, shoulders relaxed and a light touch on the keys.