Compaq iPAQ IA-2 Installation and operating manual

Safety & Comfort Guide

Contents i
Contents
Safety and Comfort
Promoting a Safe and Comfortable Work Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Important Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Take Action for Safety and Comfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Key Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
inding Your Comfort Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
A Range of Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Different Tasks Different Postures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Organizing Your Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Feet Knees and Legs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Forearms Wrists and Hands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Shoulders and Elbows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Eyes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Arranging Your Work Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Keyboard and Pointing Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Arm Supports and a Palm Rest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Papers and Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Working in Comfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Using a Notebook Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Typing Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Pointing Style. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Using a Keyboard on a Sofa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Taking Breaks and Varying Your Tasks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Monitoring Your Health Habits and Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Organizing Your Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
From the Ground Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
From the Top Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23

ii Contents
Self-Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Seated Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Shoulders Arms Wrists and Hands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Eyes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Typing Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Keyboard and Pointing Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Notebook Computing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
General Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Electrical and Mechanical Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Product Safety Policy and General Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Safety Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Installation Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
General Precautions for Compaq Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Precautions for Portable Computer Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
Precautions for Server and Network Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
Precautions for Products with External Television Antenna Connectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
Antenna Grounding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36
Precautions for Products with Modems Telecommunications or Local Area
Network Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-37
Precautions for Products with Laser Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-37
or More Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-39

Safety and Comfort 1
Safety and Comfort
!WARNING: There may be a risk of serious physical injuries from working at your computer
workstation. Read and follow the recommendations in this section to minimize the risk of injury and to
increase your comfort.
Some studies have suggested that long periods of typing, improper workstation setup,
incorrect work habits, stressful work conditions and relationships, or problems in
your personal health may be linked to injuries. These injuries could include carpal
tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, and other musculoskeletal disorders.
The warning signs of these disorders can occur in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders,
neck, or back, and can include:
◆Numbness, burning, or tingling
◆Soreness, aching, or tenderness
◆Pain, throbbing, or swelling
◆Tightness or stiffness
◆eakness or coldness
Symptoms may be felt during typing, while using a mouse, or at other times when no
work with the hands is being performed, including during the night when these
symptoms might awaken you. If you experience these symptoms, or any other
persistent or recurring pain or discomfort that you think may be related to using a
computer, you should promptly consult a qualified physician and, if available, your
company’s health and safety department. The earlier a problem is properly diagnosed
and treated, the less chance there is that it will progress to a disabling condition.
The following pages describe proper workstation setup, posture, and health and work
habits for computer users. In addition, this Guide contains product safety information
applicable to all Compaq products.

2Safety and Comfort
Promoting a Safe and Comfortable Work Environment
Posture, lighting, furniture, work organization, and other work conditions and habits
may affect the way you feel and how well you work. By adjusting your work
environment and personal practices, you may be able to minimize fatigue and
discomfort, and reduce the risk of resulting strains that some scientists believe can
lead to injury.
Important
Choices
If you share a computer with others, readjust the work environment to your needs.
Each time you sit down to work, adjust into your comfort zone.
henever you use a computer, you make choices that can affect your comfort and
potentially your safety. This is true whether you use a full-size keyboard and monitor
on a desk, a notebook computer, or a wireless keyboard on your lap. In every case,
you choose your working posture and your body’s position relative to your keyboard,
pointing device, monitor, remote control, phone, and any reference books and papers.
You may also have some control over lighting and other factors.
Take Action for
Safety and
Comfort
Many factors in our work environment determine whether we work efficiently and in
a manner that promotes good health and safety.
By considering, acting on, and periodically reevaluating the recommendations in this
Section, it is possible to create a safer, more comfortable, healthful, and efficient
work environment.
"NOTE: Some scientists believe that working intensely or for a long time in uncomfortable or unnatural
positions may pose risks such as those mentioned in the warning. The information included in this
Section is designed to help you work more safely by recommending ways to work more comfortably
and effectively.
#HINT: SEL -CHECK: After reviewing the information in this chapter double-check your postures and
habits using the section
Self-Check
on page 24.

Safety and Comfort 3
Key Principles
To promote safety and comfort, follow these principles whenever you use your
computer.
Adjust
Adjust your body position and your work equipment.
There is no one “right” position. Find your comfort
zone, as described in this Section, and when working at
your computer, frequently adjust within this zone.
Move
Vary your tasks so that you can move around; avoid
sitting in one posture all day. Perform tasks that require
walking.
Relax
Build positive relationships at work and home. Relax
and strive to reduce sources of stress. Stay aware of
physical tension such as clenching your muscles and
shrugging your shoulders. Continually release tension.
Take frequent short breaks.
Listen
Listen to your body. Pay attention to any tension,
discomfort, or pain you may feel, and take immediate
action to relieve it.

4Safety and Comfort
Remember
Remember to exercise regularly and maintain general
fitness. Doing this will help your body withstand the
rigors of sedentary work. Respect any medical
conditions you may have or other health factors you
may know of. Adjust your work habits accordingly.
inding Your Comfort Zone
A Range of
Positions
Rather than working in a single posture, find your comfort zone. Your comfort zone
is a range of positions that is generally appropriate and comfortable for your given
work situation.
Vary Your Posture
Depending on your tasks, you may find a range of seated
and standing postures that are comfortable. ithin your
comfort zone, change postures often throughout the day.
Move
Sitting still for long periods can cause discomfort and muscle fatigue. Changing
postures is good for many parts of your body, including your spine, joints, muscles,
and circulatory system.
ithin your comfort zone, change postures often throughout the day. Take frequent
short breaks: stand up, carefully stretch, or walk around. Frequently switch to brief
tasks that require getting up, such as retrieving output from a printer, filing
paperwork, or consulting a colleague down the hall.
If your furniture offers a wide range of adjustments, you might find it comfortable to
switch back and forth between sitting and standing positions.

Safety and Comfort 5
Different Tasks,
Different
Postures
Your choice of posture within your comfort zone may vary with your task. For
example, you may find a reclined posture most comfortable for computer tasks, and a
more upright posture more comfortable for tasks requiring frequent reference to
papers or books.
Organizing Your
Adjustments
The order in which you make various adjustments to your body position and work
area may vary depending on the adjustability of your furniture. For tips on how to
order your adjustments see the section Arranging Your Work Area on page 10.
#HINT: THAT A TERNOON SLUMP: Pay particular attention to adjusting your posture in the afternoon
when you may tend to get fatigued.
HINT: EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED: When you reposition any one part of your body you may need to
adjust other parts as well.
AVOID! ◆Don't sit in one fixed posture all day.
◆Avoid slouching forward.
◆Be sure not to lean back too far.

6Safety and Comfort
eet, Knees, and
Legs
Make sure your feet can rest solidly and comfortably on the floor while sitting. Use
an adjustable work surface and chair that allow your feet to rest firmly on the floor, or
use a footrest. If you use a footrest, be sure it is wide enough to accommodate
different leg positions within your comfort zone.
Providing enough leg room
Be sure you have sufficient space under your work surface for your knees and legs.
Avoid concentrated pressure points along the underside of your thigh near the knee
and the back side of your lower leg. Stretch your legs and vary your leg posture
throughout the day.
RIGHT!
Rest your feet firmly on the floor or a footrest.
WRONG!
Don’t dangle your feet and compress your thighs.
#HINT: WALK: Get up from your desk frequently and take brief walks.
HINT: LEG COM ORT: Vary your leg positions throughout the day.
AVOID! Avoid placing boxes or other items under your desk that limit your leg room. You should be able to pull
yourself all the way up to your desk without interference.