Table 1.

Guidelines for workplace ergonomics and body posture used in the RSI@Work study

Topic	Advice
Workplace ergonomics
Seat height	Feet flat on the floor, upper leg completely supported
Seat depth	Lower and upper back completely supported, about 10 cm between back of the knee and front of the seat
Arm rests	Support the elbows (and forearms)
Height of back support	Thickening of back support at belt height
Table height	At same height as armrest while typing, 5 cm above arm rest while reading.
Position of computer screen	Straight in front of worker. Rotation of screen less than 10°. Place screen perpendicularly on window. Distance between screen and eyes dependent on screen dimensions but at least 50 cm.
Computer screen height	Top of the screen at eye height level
Keyboard	Plat on desk, straight in front of screen.
Mouse(pad)	Close to keyboard. Try to alternate the position of the mouse(pad) between right and left of keyboard.
Body posture
Back	Straight. Completely supported by backrest.
Neck	Head rotation less than 20°. Minimal neck flexion/extension (see position of computer screen).
Shoulders	Relaxed (not raised)
Arms	Close to upper body
Hand, wrist, forearm	In straight line. Ulnar deviation between -5° and 20°.
General	Workers were advised to change their posture during the workday.