An Introduction to Ergonomic Trays

July 14th, 2006

Adjustable Height and Angle
Ergonomic keyboard trays refer to the platforms for keeping keyboards below your desk. It is possible to adjust both the height and the angle of the keyboard placed on it. Ergonomic keyboard trays are an essential part of your overall ergonomic computer desk setup.

Some ergonomic keyboard trays free up your desk space, which is very valuable, especially if it has a mouse tray also. The adjustable height and angle help you fit the trays to your own personal daily requirements or when you just want to change your posture. Ergonomic keyboard trays can make a great difference to you if you need to sit at a computer for longer period.

Avoiding Uncomfortable Postures
Ergonomic keyboard trays help you avoid uncomfortable postures by keeping your wrists and hand in a straight line with padded palm rests. Computer users often call these wrist rests instead of palm rests.

However, make your mind clear that it is not wrists but palms that require rest when you are not keying in anything. However, experts do not agree on how much period the rest should be given and what should be the time interval. As far as positioning, the mouse is concerned, it is advisable to buy ergonomic keyboard trays that allow keeping the mouse close to the keyboard. This kind of ergonomic keyboard tray will prevent you from unnecessarily moving your arm every time you use the mouse.

No More Pullout Trays or Keyboard Drawers
Pullout trays or keyboard drawers cannot be considered ergonomic keyboard trays. You cannot adjust the height or the angle. Because they don’t offer adjustment features, pull-out trays and keyboard drawers are likely to be uncomfortable. As tilting is not possible either, you cannot avoid the awkward positioning of hands while typing. Most ergonomists and safety professional prefer ergonomic keyboard trays to keyboard drawers.

Changing Your Posture
You know well that you can’t sit in the same position for the entire work day. You want to be able to change your position. Ergonomic keyboard trays allow just that, thereby resulting in more comfort, fewer injuries, and higher productivity.

Ergonomic keyboard trays come with a track system. The width of these tracks is 6 inches (in). Depending on the model, the length ranges between 16 in and 28 in. However, before making any buying decisions, make sure there is enough depth to install the track you have chosen. If there is not enough sufficient space you may need to cut the track with a tool similar to a hack saw.

Choosing the Tilting Side
When we consider tilting capability of ergonomic keyboard trays, three options are available:

• Ergonomic keyboard trays that allow only upward angling: This is called positive slope. These are not advisable because they are not wrist friendly.
• Ergonomic keyboard trays that allow only downward angling: This is called negative slope. These are wrist friendly and highly recommended.
• Ergonomic keyboard trays that allow both positive and negative slopes: Use these only if you have discovered that only downward tilting is comfortable for your wrists.
• If your desk is not deep enough, you gave a fourth option. These are called lap-help ergonomic keyboard trays. These prevent users from keeping the monitors too close. Users of these trays have the flexibility of maintaining appropriate viewing distance.

Entry Filed under: Ergonomic keyboard tray