Healthy Computing: Beer Budget Ergonomics

Have you heard the saying, “Champagne tastes on a beer budget”? We often feel that way when we think of ergonomics. If you find that you look at your workstation and think, “If only I had more money, I could have a better ergonomic set-up,” you probably have a beer budget. Ergonomic changes don’t necessarily have to cost a lot of money-what is usually required is creativity. Help reduce discomfort caused by poor ergonomics and increase creativity when you implement BEER BUDGET ERGONOMICS.

How to Implement Beer Budget Ergonomics:

Take a moment to assess your workstation. Then explore the following
simple and inexpensive ergonomic problems.

Desk too low:

Place 2×4 boards, bricks, etc. under the legs of the desk.

Desk too high:

Trim the legs.
Raise your chair and use a footrest or create a platform upon which you
can sit.

Footrest:

Use phone books or firm pillows.

No room for a mouse on your keyboard tray:

Place a mouse bridge over the 10-key pad.
Use a c-clamp with a small board next to the keyboard tray to create a
mouse pad.

No document holder:

Prop a 1-inch 3-ring binder between the keyboard and monitor–use a small piece of anti-skid material or a large clip to keep documents from sliding (anti-skid material is often sold at hardware stores or Target, where it is sold as shelf liner).
If you are reading a book, use a fork to keep the pages open-place it
across the top with the prongs slipped through the pages on the right
and the handle pressing against the pages on the left.

Slant table for writing:

Use hard cover 2-inch 3-ring binder with anti-skid material.

Chair:

Use a pillow for better back support.
Remove the armrests if they get in the way of working at the keyboard.
Roll a towel and hang it over the back so it supports your spine and
helps you to maintain a neutral posture.
Wrap the armrests with soft, spongy material if they are too hard.
Sit on a large gym ball instead of a chair.

Negative keyboard tilt: