Posted By Declan Roche
Hi

Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with the problems caused to users of PCs who cannot type well and spend most of their day staring down at the keyboard?

I have been noticing that it is a recurrent cause of neck and back pain in these people. Obviously you can advise them that the posture is not appropriate and emphasise that frequent postural breaks are advised. But as we all know training and advice is not likely to change learned behaviours very quickly and I do not know of any way of enforcement aside from standing behind them with a big stick!

I have tried advising users to use one of the online touch typing tutors, but the learning phase slows their productivity so much there is a very poor uptake.

Has anybody any got thoughts or experience on resolving this problem? I would be especially grateful if anybody knows of any advice on good postural arrangement and equipment that would relieve the forward neck bending while not leading to other ergonomic issues.

Thanks

Declan

Posted By Karel Simpson
Hi Declan,

Within a previous employment I was responsible for the role of DSE assessor and came across this problem.

We adjusted the monitors so that they could look at both the keyboard (tilted) and the monitor without too much strain on the neck. The DSE regs as I was tought on a specialist course ask for you to adapt the workstation to the comfort of the worker so you can lower the monitor from the eye level rule for those who need to look down if it helps them or they are comfortable with it.

Another option is provide IT training which will in time adjust their typing ability and of course remind them of their breaks away from the screen etc.

hope this helps.

KS

Posted By Ron Hunter
This issue has been discussed many times on this Forum. There is no "rule" for the height of a VDU. It is perfectly permissible to have screens set at the same level as the keyboard. Some desk styles allow VDU's to be dropped down into a recess to allow for minimum head movement.
There is also a training/competency issue here. If your people are expected to be 'typists' then they should be properly trained to do so?
Otherwise the software should be designed for minimal use of the keyboard, e.g. use of tab and scroll keys, utilising checkboxes, drop down menus, etc.
Having done my share of DSE asessment training, I find it incredible just how little awareness and training the average employee receives on the basic principles of Windows, and on the full range of shortcut methods available. In operational terms, for example, anything you can do with a keyboard, you can do with a mouse, and vice-versa. Handy when one or the other breaks when the shops are shut!