Safety and Comfort
14-15
Arm Supports and a Palm Rest
You may find that supports for your forearms or hands allow you to be more
relaxed and comfortable.
Using Arm Supports
Some chairs and desks provide padded areas for resting your arms. You may find it
comfortable to rest the middle of your forearms on these supports while typing,
pointing, or pausing. Arm supports are properly adjusted when your shoulders are
in a comfortable position and your wrists are straight.
Using a Palm Rest
A palm rest is designed to provide support during pauses, not during typing or
pointing. While typing or using a pointing device, keep wrists free to move, not
anchored or resting on a palm rest, the desk, or your thighs.
RIGHT!
You may find that arm supports help you relax
your shoulders and keep your wrists free to
move while typing.
*
For Pauses Only
Palm rests should only be used during pauses, when you are not typing or using your
pointing device.
AVOID!
Armrests should not cause you to:
• Shrug or drop your shoulders.
• Put excessive pressure on your elbows.
• “Wing” your arms (extend elbows out to the sides).