Through the course of workdays, office workers are required to manage and track documents. While this paperwork does not present any challenge, employees can greatly benefit from the use of ergonomic document holders.

While employers might try to let workers enjoy plenty of space, many workstations are still filled with different items that take up space. Papers, pens, and notebooks can fill a worker’s desk, and he or she might have to move awkwardly to grab specific materials. While these actions may seem to be nothing, repetition can lead to occupational health and safety hazards for both the employee and his or her company. Which is why a document holder is necessary.

What is a Document Holder?

A document holder is a tool that allows you to position a physical document that you refer to while working on your monitor screen in a way that allows you to see both the screen and hard copy document well.

Almost everybody who use computers on a daily basis at least occasionally have tasks that involve referring to a hard copy document while typing. In those times and when properly used, a well-designed document holder can be greatly impactful ergonomically.

With a document holder, you can avoid twisting the neck by bringing the hard document close to the monitor at a readable angle. This also reduces eyestrain by ensuring the document is kept at the same distance and angle as the screen. Most workers who use computers work with sheets and documents that they often place in front of the keyboard or beside it. This causes an avoidable curved spine posture. A document holder places the document 45⁰- 60⁰ angle between the keyboard and the monitor. When the holder is well placed, you can reduce or eliminate risk factors like awkward head and neck postures, eye strain, headaches, and fatigue and be more comfortable.

Improtance of Using a Document Holder

A document holder helps to avoid ergonomic hazards which include:

1. Neck twisting

When you position the document close to the monitor and in line with your eyesight as it runs from screen to keyboard, you can avoid unnatural twisting of your neck when looking between the hard document to the screen and back.

2. Unnecessary eye fatigue and headaches

If you use a proper document holder, the document is always at the same distance angle as the eyes from the computer screen. Assuming that you have set your computer screen at the optimal ergonomic distance, the document holder will keep the paper document positioned as ideally as possible.

3. Curved spine

In the absence of a document holder, you’ll lie your documents often beside the keyboard. To read the document, which in some cases contains smaller print or notes, you’ll have to bend forward with a curved spine, which is a posture that can lead to ergonomic problems.

To achieve an optimal ergonomic workstation, it is important to hire a Specialist to examine your current workplace.  At Accredited Rehabilitation Consultants, we can evaluate your current workspace, find ways to make it more ergonomic, and then provide and install the necessary equipment to do so. To learn more, contact us today!

  Filed under: Ergonomic Injury Prevention, Ergonomics Products, Workplace Injury Reduction
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