Have you ever took into consideration workplace safety guidelines for yourself? If you have a home office you may think that there is not much to worry about but you still have to maintain a safe & comfortable working environment even in a home office. Some guidelines that you can set are ergonomic guidelines for safety measures. A business that has employees has to set safety guidelines for them, so why not set some for yourself?
What’s Ergonomics?
ERGONOMICS: design factors set for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity, by minimizing operator fatigue and discomfort. The scientific study of equipment design, as in office furniture or transportation seating, for the purpose of improving efficiency, comfort or safety.
It’s the science behind making your workplace safe, comfortable, healthy and to fit your body as much as possible. Many people suffer from repetitive stress injuries (RSI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive strain injuries (RSI) like myalgia( muscle pain, soreness in neck, upper back, shoulders wrists or hands) because of little or no ergonomic guideline. If they do have them many people don’t follow them. On the side of precautions set some safety guidelines today! 
1. Find the correct seating. Choose an adjustable chair that allows you to sit up straight, one that supports your lower back, it should allow you to plant your feet flat on the floor and your legs at a 90 degree angle.
2. Adjust your computer screen. Make sure that the top of your computer screen is at eye level or lower. You should never sit close to any computer or tv screen, keep a comfortable distance away from the screen such as 18-25 inches away. Adjust your screen resolution, picture, color & sound quality so that you won’t be tempted to sit extra close to the screen. If you can’t do it get someone to help.
3. Correct your typing. When you are typing make yourself comfortable by placing your arms and elbows at a good level at your side. Try to avoid your wrists from resting keep them moving. Above all things, don’t pound the keys, just lightly touch them. Keep your mouse very close so you don’t have to reach far.
4. Try to place your computer in a central location towards all of your needed materials while you work on the computer. That way you won’t have to do a lot of twisting & turning to get to things. Sometimes a U-shaped desk is good. If you are typing from a piece of paper keep it in front of you like slightly to the side. Don’t type from papers or things that will make you do a lot of turning to read them.
5. Combat the stiffness. You can’t sit in front of a computer all day so get up and stretch some. Take a break from the computer screen and let your eyes rest and walk around. Try to move away from the computer for more than 10 minutes, get away from the computer for a couple of hours. When you return you will be refreshed then you can focus on your work and the screen better.
Renee~Virtual Assistant info@clericalsolutionsinc.net
Clerical Business Solutions
</a
