HP Kayak XM600 User Manual page 78

4 Working in Comfort
What causes RSI?
What can I do to avoid
RSI?
What if I experience
discomfort?
Preparing Your
Work Environment
Your Chair
The specific causes of RSI have not been established. Nevertheless, the
incidence of RSI has been associated with a variety of risk factors,
including:
• Too many uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or motion.
• Performing an activity in an awkward or unnatural posture.
• Maintaining static posture for prolonged periods.
• Failing to take frequent short breaks.
• Other environmental and psychosocial factors.
In addition, there have been reports associating the occurrence of RSI
with the use of computer keyboards, mice, and other input devices. Also,
certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, obesity and
diabetes, may predispose some people to this type of injury.
Some people who use computers may experience physical discomfort
during their use. This discomfort may be a symptom of a repetitive strain
injury. Properly setting up and using computing equipment can help to
minimize your chances of experiencing this discomfort. Well-designed
and properly adjusted equipment alone may not be sufficient to eliminate
all potential problems. Maintaining good posture and positioning when
working on computers also has a significant bearing on your comfort.
If you are experiencing any discomfort, seek professional medical advice
immediately. Typically, the earlier a problem is diagnosed and treated,
the easier it is to resolve.
When using HP computing equipment, it is important that your work
environment contributes to your comfort and productivity.
It's very important that your chair provides a comfortable sitting position
and offers the following features:
• A stable base, such as five legs with casters. Make sure the
casters are designed for the type of floor you have in your workspace,
whether it is bare or carpeted.
• A height- and tilt-adjustment feature. It should be easy to adjust
your chair height from 40 cm to 52 cm (15.5 inches to 20.5 inches) as
measured from the top of the seat pan to the floor. If you are much
taller or shorter than average, you may need a chair that can be
adjusted beyond this range. Adjust your chair so that the work surface
or keyboard tray is at elbow height and your feet are flat on the floor
with your knees slightly bent below your hips. Ideally, the seat pan
should be able to tilt both forward (minimum of 5 degrees) and
backward (minimum of 10 degrees). If the chair has an adjustable seat
pan, inclining the seat slightly forward will transfer some of the
pressure from the spine to the thighs and feet. This will relieve
pressure on your back.
78 English