Guest Author - Marji Hajic

How many ergonomic blunders can you find in these clip-art images?

1. Keyboard is too high placing pressure against the wrists as they rest against the desk surface.
2. A too high keyboard can also cause the wrists to bend forward onto the keyboard.

1. The monitor is too low placing stress on the neck and shoulders.
2. Reaching forward for the keyboard can cause overwork of the upper arm muscles and increase the risk for upper arm pain.
3. An improperly fitting chair can cause pressure on the nerves of the leg as they come in contact with the front edge of the chair behind the knees.

1. Reaching too far out to the right for the mouse can cause shoulder and elbow pain and potential nerve irritation.
2. The desk is too high for the child, placing the keyboard and mouse at awkward heights.
3. When the keyboard and mouse are too high, there is pressure against the wrist when it rests against the table. A forward wrist bend also places pressure on the median (carpal tunnel) nerve.
4. It is important to have children working at desks that are designed for children and not adults.
5. The picture on the right shows a child sitting at a desk that fits her much better than the child in the left picture.

1. The elbows are pulled back behind the body.
2. The keyboard is tilted in an extremely vertical position causing the wrists to bend backward. This places stress on the tendons and nerves at the wrist.
3. To improve positioning, the keyboard should be flat. This will allow the gentleman to relax his arms at his sides with the ear, shoulder and elbow in a vertical alignment. This neutral positioning will ease stress on the body.

1. Lapboards are inherently stressful on the body due to their nature. If the keyboard is at the right height, the monitor is too low. If the monitor is at the correct height, the keyboard is too high.
2. In the picture on the left, the laptop is too far away causing the gentleman to reach forward. There is contact pressure against the forearms at the edge of the table.
3. The body is leaning forward placing stress on the lower back.
4. In the picture on the right, the forearms are supported and the monitor is at a better height. However, the upper arms are performing unaccustomed work to position the fingers for typing.
5. There is contact pressure against the arms while resting on the table.
6. The body is still leaning forward although it has better support.
7. With laptops, change position often as there is no ideal. Use pillows or cushions to support the arms.

1. In the first picture, the body is twisted with the fingers to the left of the keyboard.
2. The head is turned to the right.
3. The monitor is placed at an angle.
4. The picture on the right shows better, neutral positioning.

1. Typing style can be the cause of hand, wrist and elbow pain.
2. The fingers in the right-sided picture are quite tense. In particular, look at the stressful posture of the thumb (pulled out and hitch-hiking) and the ring finger. The index finger performing the keystroke is bent at the large knuckle rather than relaxed over the keys. This will stress the small muscles in the hand.
3. The fingers on the left-sided picture are much more relaxed. Type lightly and keep the fingers slightly rounded using the tips of the fingers for typing.

1. Be aware of eyestrain while at the computer. Keep the monitor clean. Adjust color and contrast to make images crisper.
2. If you wear glasses, consider having a pair with a prescription specifically adjusted to monitor use.

1. Reaching too far forward for the keyboard can cause upper arm and elbow pain.
2. Holding phone to the ear by cradling it with the right shoulder can cause neck and shoulder pain and irritate the nerves that power the arms.
3. The left picture shows much better positioning with the ears, shoulders and elbow in vertical alignment.
4. The fingers are relaxed on the keyboard.
5. The neck is in a good position with the use of a phone headset.





1. Multi-tasking can distract us and cause us to be less aware of the ways that we are working. It can also add additional physical strain and increase emotional stress.
2. Try to organize tasks in the least stressful manner. Delegate if possible. Plan ahead. Take frequent micro-breaks.
As hard as it may be to believe for those who have had an interest in ergonomics, these work behaviors are not uncommon. Even though these are clip-art images, I have encountered all of these situations when looking at work methods during ergonomic consultation.
Marji Hajic is an Occupational Therapist and a Certified Hand Therapist practicing at the Hand Therapy & Occupational Fitness Center in Santa Barbara, California. For more information on hand and upper extremity injuries, prevention and recovery, visit Hand Health Resources.