How to Implement Beer Budget Ergonomics:
Take a moment to assess your workstation. Then explore the following simple and inexpensive ergonomic problems.

Desk too low:

• Place 2x4 boards, bricks, etc. under the legs of the desk.

Desk too high:

• Trim the legs.
• Raise your chair and use a footrest or create a platform upon which you can sit.

Footrest:

• Use phone books or firm pillows.

No room for a mouse on your keyboard tray:

• Place a mouse bridge over the 10-key pad.
• Use a c-clamp with a small board next to the keyboard tray to create a mouse pad.

No document holder:

• Prop a 1-inch 3-ring binder between the keyboard and monitor--use a small piece of anti-skid material or a large clip to keep documents from sliding (anti-skid material is often sold at hardware stores or Target, where it is sold as shelf liner).
• If you are reading a book, use a fork to keep the pages open-place it across the top with the prongs slipped through the pages on the right and the handle pressing against the pages on the left.

Slant table for writing:

• Use hard cover 2-inch 3-ring binder with anti-skid material.

Chair:

• Use a pillow for better back support.
• Remove the armrests if they get in the way of working at the keyboard.
• Roll a towel and hang it over the back so it supports your spine and helps you to maintain a neutral posture.
• Wrap the armrests with soft, spongy material if they are too hard.
• Sit on a large gym ball instead of a chair.

Negative keyboard tilt:

• Place a row of post-it pads underneath the front of the keyboard.

Sharp edges on the desk:

• Glue a strip of weather stripping to the edge.

Monitor too close:

• Move your desk away from the wall and push your monitor to the back.

Regardless of your ergonomic situation, always remember to take your breaks-micro-, meso-, and large movement.

Copyright 2003 Erik Peper, Ph.D. and Katherine Hughes Gibney