Odds are you and your employees spend quite a bit of time at a computer, whether at work or at home. And while you may not think of computer work as something that is physically
demanding, the truth is, an improperly designed workspace can cause neck, shoulder and back
pain, eye strain, headaches, poor circulation in the arms and legs, fatigue, and in many cases
even debilitating Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs).

Costs associated with workplace injuries can be high. Altogether, RSIs represent 62 percent of
all North American workers’ compensation claims and result in nearly $15 to $20 billion in lost
work time and medical claims each year, as reported by OSHA.

One study found that 50% of participants reported RSIs during the first year of their new job;
68% of the reported RSI symptoms were deemed to be severe enough to be classified as a
musculoskeletal disorder.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent or mediate the discomfort and injuries that can be
associated with computer use, such as using computer peripherals that are ergonomically
designed.

Ergonomics is the science of designing products and systems to optimize human well-being
and performance. Ergonomists draw on many disciplines from physiology to biomechanics
and industrial engineering to design products that are safe, comfortable, easy to use, and help
improve perform while still look aesthetically pleasing.

Most business people spend the majority of their day working on a computer. This guide is designed to help you be morecomfortable and productive while using your notebook, desktop, or tablet PC by creating a workspace that takes importantergonomic design principles into consideration.

One decision you may want to pay some attention to is the type of input devices you use. When you consider the fact that the average user has their hands on a mouse or keyboard for more than six hours a day, properly designed products are more important than ever. Microsoft® designs tools such as ergonomic mice and keyboards that can help you spend time at your computer comfortably, for long periods of time.