AIT

As we spend increasing amounts of time at our computer workstation, we need to be aware of how the design and arrangement of our equipment can impact our comfort, health, and productivity.
Work Area
Desk/Workstation
Chair
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse, Trackball, or Other Pointing Device
Lighting
Work Habits


WORK AREA
The work area should be large enough to accommodate you, allow the full range of motions involved in performing required tasks, and provide room for the equipment and materials that make up the workstation.
Use a headset for lengthy or frequent telephone work.
Place the items you use most frequently directly in front of you.
Avoid overcrowding computer work areas.

DESK/WORKSTATION
Standard furniture cannot accommodate everyone’s needs. A taller person may need a one-time adjustment to have his or her work surface raised somewhat; a shorter person may need a footrest or other accessories. Adjustable furniture may be needed in situations where people share or use the same workstation.

CHAIR
The typical office chair isn't designed for users under 5 feet tall, so you may notice that your child doesn't seem to fill the seat out the way an adult would. Most experts agree that kids can sit for about an hour in adult-sized chairs without any discomfort. For longer periods of sitting, it's recommended that you make the chair better fit your child.
If the chair is adjustable, try lowering the arm rests, raising the seat pan, and pushing the lumbar support forward. If your chair doesn't have these adjustments, you can place a pillow under your child's bottom and behind his/her lower back. If your child's feet dangle in this position, put a footrest (or box) under his or her feet for support. Sitting perfectly upright isn't recommended; let your child relax and keep slightly open angles while receiving proper support from the modifications you've made.

KEYBOARD&MOUSE
If you and your child are both using the same computer workstation, you'll want to make sure that it has an adjustable keyboard tray; this helps the workstation adjust comfortably to either size. Proper posture is also extremely important; help kids learn what's known as "neutral" posture. Their arms should lay close to their body (not outstretched or reaching to the side), their elbows should be at a 90 deg. or greater angle (this is known as an "open angle"), and their wrists should be neutral (i.e. with their wrist at about the same level as their forearm). In general, kids aren't as attuned to the position of their bodies, so it's particularly important to watch your child's posture and habits, reminding him when necessary.
Kids have small hands, but most end up using their parents' keyboards. This can be uncomfortable at best, and dangerous at worst. A few companies make smaller "kid-sized" keyboards that may be helpful for younger children (these keyboards have smaller keys and shorter distances between the keys). Many companies also make miniature mice for small hands. Children may find a trackball easier to negotiate, so you may want to try both.

MONITOR
Once the chair and work surface height are properly adjusted, the computer monitor should be placed so the top of the screen is at or just below eye level when seated in an upright position. The following suggestions can help prevent the development of eye strain, neck pain and shoulder fatigue while using your computer workstation:

LIGHTING
Lighting not suited to working with a computer is a major contributing factor in visual discomforts including eyestrain, burning or itching eyes, and blurred or double vision.

WORK HABITS
Repetitious static work (working at the computer) is very fatiguing on your upper extremities as well as your eyes. It is important that breaks from working at the computer be taken every 20 to 40 minutes in order for your body to rest and recover. Taking a short break (3 to 5 minutes) does not mean you have to stop working, other activities such as talking to a co-worker, making copies, filing, etc. could be done during breaks from typing.