Proper Keyboarding Techniques TSDE WWJHS

Imagine you are working in an office on a computer all day every day from 8am to 5pm How can you be prone to injury? Easy, it’s all related to how we sit at our computer workstations Workplace Injuries

The science of adjusting your work environment to fit your body and make it most comfortable. Ergonomics

Keyboarding Techniques include: Correct Posture Correct Arm and Hand Position Correct Keystroking Technique Keyboarding Techniques include:

Workstation Setup Video

It is important to keep your workstation neat and organized All personal belongings should be on the floor Document stand should be on the left and mouse on the right. Workstation

Posture Spine is straight and leaning slightly forward Body should be centered in front of the keyboard between g and h keys Stomach is a comfortable distance from the keyboard Feet are flat on the floor and slightly apart Posture

Arms should be relaxed with your elbows naturally close to body Forearms should be nearly parallel with the slope of the keyboard Arm Position

Fingers are curved with the tips of your fingers resting lightly on the keys Wrists are low, but palms of your hands should not rest on the keyboard Wrists and Fingers

Wrists and Hands

Wrists and Hands

Keystroking Technique Use the tips of your fingers to operate the assigned keys Use a lift up/down motion to strike keys Keystroking Technique

Health Risks Muscles react to tension Once one muscle hurts, all its neighbors tense up, to try to relieve the load. More tension means less blood flow, and the cycle continues. Things get worse with repetitive activities. Health Risks

Long Term Health Risks RSI means Repetitive Strain Injury CTS means Carpal Tunnel Syndrome the nerves that run through your wrist into your fingers get trapped by the inflamed muscles around them. Symptoms include feeling "pins and needles", tingling, numbness, and even loss of sensation. OOC means Occupational Overuse Syndrome another term for RSI Long Term Health Risks

Stretching It is important to stretch from time to time when typing. When you feel yourself getting restless, stop and take a break. While resting, it is important to stretch your muscles in your hands, arms, neck, shoulders and legs. Stretching

Stretches Neck rolls Shoulder rolls Neck Stretch Wrist rolls Arm Stretch

If You Follow These Rules You Will: type faster make fewer mistakes be able to type longer without getting as tired be less likely to have health problems with your hands, wrists and back when you get older If You Follow These Rules You Will: