Advice for users on keyboards and controllers
Of around 4 million people in employment in Sweden, approximately 2.5 million use a computer of some kind in their work. Of these, one in three spends more than half their working time in front of a display.
The work is demanding which makes your choice of computer equipment especially important.
What type of keyboard, mouse or other control unit should you choose and what should you bear in mind when writing??
You can make a lot of decisions yourself but you can also look to others for guidance
There’s a wide range of keyboards to choose from on the market. Before making your choice, run your own function analysis:
- Will you be using the keyboard for ordinary tasks such as writing documents?
- Do you want to program, search for information, play games or perform other activities?
- Do you use desktop computer equipment or a laptop to which you want to add a separate keyboard?
- Are you considering a small, folding keyboard – an accessory for your mobile phone – as an alternative to pushing the telephone buttons?
- What are your personal needs? Do you work mainly with the alphabetical keys on the keyboard, mainly the numerical ones or both equally? Are you male or female?
- Which mouse suits you and the tasks in hand?
- What alternatives are there to choose from as far as mice are concerned?
Discuss the options with your boss. You might also contact your union representative, a knowledgeable supplier of computer equipment and occupational health service.
Things to bear in mind:
- You can make your work position easier by placing the keyboard right in front of you, as far in from the edge of the desk as allows you plenty of support for your lower arms and hands on the desktop.
- Your mouse or any other controller should be placed close to the keyboard, at the same height as it.
- Alternate your working between the keyboard, the mouse and any other controller you have. This reduces the risk of one-sided, and in the long run tiring work for the muscles in your shoulders, arms and hands. Alternating with keyboard shortcuts also increases variation.
- Avoid lengthy periods of keyboard work. Change your working position, and take frequent breaks.
- Remember that working on a keyboard is easier if you place your fingers in the right positions.
- Work with your shoulders and elbows relaxed, keeping your elbows close to your body. You can relax the pressure on your lower arms even more by putting a wrist guard along the front edge of the keyboard and mouse.
Find out more:
Use your keyboard correctly
Choose the right mouse
Avoid stress injuries
