ERGO TIPS
As technology becomes a bigger and bigger part of school life and our students future, we
educators have two new responsibilities:
1. to provide an ergonomically safe school environment; and,
2. to educate students about proper ergonomic health and safety.
These responsibilities are especially challenging in any environment
like a school where elements of technology are used by so many
different people and where individuals like students move from
workspace to workspace.
School teachers and staff need to provide for ergonomic health
and safety, but in a fluid environment like a school, it is most
important that students themselves monitor their workspace situation
and follow established ergonomic guidelines.
Ergonomics is the
application of scientific
information concerning
humans to the design of
objects, systems and
environment for human
use.
- Wikipedia.org, adapted
from the International
Ergonomics Association
(2007)
Workspace ergonomics are built on the Ergo Triangle.
Works p ac e Habits
Body Main te n a n ce
Work s p ac e Desig n
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Lapto p s:
While many ergo tips apply to laptop as well as desktop computers, laptops do
present challenges of their own. For more information, visit:
Ergonomic Tips for Laptop Users
At University Health Services, UC Berkeley
http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff/pdf/ergonomics/laptop.pdf
I. Works p ac e Desig n
The foundation of ergonomic health and safety is a workspace design that makes good work
habits and body mechanics possible. Key elements are:
 chair design…
Did You Know? …best seated posture is reclined at 100-110 degrees, not the 90
degree upright posture that is usually portrayed.
 workspace layout, especially keyboard and monitor placement…
Did You Know? …a user should be at arm’s length from the screen, with eyes
in line with a point 2-3” below the top of the monitor casing (not the
screen).
 arrangement of peripheral equipment…
Did You Know? …a document holder, preferably in-line with the monitor
screen is essential.
For more information on Workspace Design:
Personal workstation checklist from University Health Services, UC Berkeley:
http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff/ergonomics/computer/ergcheck.shtml
Ergonomic Guidelines for arranging a Computer Workstation – 10 steps for users, from Cornell
University Ergonomics Web: http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html
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II. Work Habit s
A good workspace design makes proper work habits not only possible, but natural and
comfortable. Key elements are:
 Posture, posture posture…
Did You Know? …arms and wrists should be in relaxed
and neutral positions, not extended or twisted in any
way…shoulders relaxed, not raised…elbows bent at 90
degrees or more…feet flat on the floor, with knees past the
chair edge and bent at 90 degrees or more…all in an effort to
avoid unnatural pressures on muscles and circulation.
 Keep it close…
Did You Know? …other equipment and materials should
be within easy reach.
 Move, move, move…
Did You Know? …take advantage of those thinking
pauses…move your body parts (tap your toes and fingers or
wiggle your head)…look at least 20 feet away from the
screen…and remember to blink and breathe while working.
For more information on Work Habits and technique:
Tips for Computer Users from UCLA Ergonomics Web:
http://www.ergonomics.ucla.edu/Tips_Users.html
Also, Computer Operator’s Work Technique Checklist:
http://www.ergonomics.ucla.edu/tech_checklist.html
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III. Body Maint e n a n c e
Even with good workspace design and proper work habits, individuals must remember to take
time for good body maintenance. Key elements are:
 Take a break…
Did You Know? …at a minimum, you should get up and leave the work station
for 1-2 minutes every 30 minutes…after an hour do something away
from the computer for at least five minutes.
 Exercise…
Did You Know? …it’s important to stretch at least every
20-30 minutes while working.
 Fitness and Health
Did You Know? …The best way to foster good ergonomic
health and safety is with good general health and diet! Can better
technology health inspire students to start each day with a good
breakfast and end each day with a good night’s rest?
For more information on Exercises:
Stretching Exercises from the UC Santa Barbara Ergonomics Program:
http://www.busserv.ucsb.edu/Forms/Ergonomics_brochure_2F2FD3.pdf
Flexibility and Stretching Exercises from UCLA Ergonomics Web:
http://www.ergonomics.ucla.edu/Ex_Office.html
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Gen eral Reso urc e s:
CU Ergo, Cornell University Ergonomics Web, Cornell University,
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/default.htm
UCB Computer Ergonomics, University Health Services, University of California at Berkeley,
http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff/ergonomics/computer/
UCLA Ergonomics, University of California at Los Angeles, http://www.ergonomics.ucla.edu/
UCSB Injury Reduction Program, UCSB Business Services, University of California at Santa
Barbara, http://www.busserv.ucsb.edu/irp/ergo/tsr.htm
International Ergonomics Association, http://www.iea.cc/index.php?contID=home
eTools Home: Computer Workstations, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health
Administration, http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/index.html
Just for Kids!
Cornell University has a number of resources designed specifically for schools, students,
and parents:
“Keeping Kids Healthy” includes a School Ergonomics Program with guidelines for
students, teachers, and parents: http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/cukkhinfo.htm
“Children and Computing” http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/cuchildcomp.html
links to various resources, including
 “Children, Computers and Classrooms,” presentations from the 2000 meeting of the
International Ergonomics Association
 “Computer Use by Children: Workstation Guidelines,” which includes workstation
images from the January, 2000 MSNBC Today Show
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Also, try the “21st Century Digital Compass Activity,” which provides a metaphor for
thinking about digital citizenship as well as scenarios to use with students to encourage
discussion of many forms of online behavior. Select the following link, then “Digital
Compass and Scenario Article:” http://coe.k-state.edu/digitalcitizenship/TeachingDC.htm