Safe use of laptops
Risks with laptop use
Prolonged use of laptops is a significant risk for developing pain or other symptoms in the neck, shoulder arm or back, along with eye strain and headaches. Laptops have the advantage of portability but there is a cost in adjust ability. When the screen is at the right position for your head and neck it is in a poor position for your arms and vice versa. This results in poor working postures.
Recommended risk controls
Limit the time the laptop is used
- Limit time spent working on laptops to two hours per day (total). Have a break away every 30 minutes to move, stretch and have a visual break.
- Avoid using laptop on a high surface as this will result in elevated shoulder and shoulder and upper back pain.
Plug the laptop into a standard desk monitor for laptop use in the office
- Purchase a docking station.
- Use your desktop monitor, keyboard and mouse as usual.
For extended periods of laptop use
- Plug in a separate keyboard and mouse.
- Raise the height of the laptop screen with a laptop stand or raiser.
- Set up workstation as recommended.
