Ergonomics

So in addition to being old school, I must confess, I haven't taken the time to make my work station "work" for me. I am not a teacher but like teachers in an effort to get the job done, i.e., address immediate issues at hand -- possibly calming a child down, putting out fires and basically trying to get some work done -- much time is not spent on meeting the needs of the child or in this case the worker. With close scrutiny, you can see that my desk is about 30% ergonomically correct. Check! My computer is positioned centrally and directly in front of me. The keyboard is located under the desk for proper allignment between my arms and legs. Another check! It goes downhill from this point. Halfway through the day my throbbing and numb right wrist reminds me of where my work station falls short. My keyboard rest, does not tilt down parallel with my forearms and lap but rests about an inch above my lap. Often times is rests directly on my lap. There isn't much space between my desk and chair. If there were I might be able to position my keyboard and mouse better to east some of the strain I feel in my wrists. Also, speaking of mice, I sit nestled into the corner of my desk because I share a cubicle with a co-worker. I often have to manuever my mouse back and forth because, 1) the keyboard is not long enough to hold both a keyboard and mouse and 2) my chair fits snuggly in the right corner of the desk. NOT an ideal position to sit for hours typing.

Part of the problem with creating ergonomic work stations may stem from a) budgetary constraints and/or b) not knowing that a keyboard should be placed parallel to hands and legs or that a computer screen should be placed centered, directly in front of you. This is sad but true. It costs money to make a work station truly ergonomic or at least a reorganization of entire office spaces.