# Keyboard placement...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keyboard-placement/48996>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 8, 2001, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keyboard-placement/48996 "2001-01-08T14:30:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jonas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/aeb1de/32.png) [@jonas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonas)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keyboard-placement/48996/1 "2001-01-08T14:30:46Z")

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I don’t have a keyboard tray at work, so I’m very limited as far as keyboard placement goes. I was wondering if it is better to place it on my desktop (which is a little too high, shoulders are slightly slumped) or on my lap. It usually seems better on my lap, but I get mixed results with both options.

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keyboard-placement/48996/2 "2001-01-08T14:34:00Z")

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Putting it on your lap for anything longer than short bursts will inevitably wreck your posture. Can you raise your chair? Alternatively, there are add-on keyboard trays that will let you drop the board down that extra 3-4 inches.

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**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2001, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keyboard-placement/48996/3 "2001-01-08T14:48:57Z")

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Are you speaking to us from the United States of America? If so, then according to OSHA, you have the legal right to a keyboard that’s properly placed.  
[http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/ergonomicreports\_pub/ss931217.html](http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/ergonomicreports_pub/ss931217.html)

> [@](#):
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> Provide a fully adjustable articulated arm keyboard holder which will allow employees to orient their keying station towards the VDT screen.

[http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm\_iii/otm\_iii\_2.html](http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_2.html)

> [@](#):
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> Ergonomic problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome or inflammatory disorders of the tendons and joints of keyboard operators due to tasks requiring repetitive motions. Proper design of fixed work stations where employees are required to perform repetitive tasks includes proper lighting to prevent glare, maintaining temperature and humidity in a comfortable range with minimum temperature variations, maximum flexibility in work station design including adjustable chair, keyboard, and screen height, and a work-rest regimen that allows breaks to reduce psychological distress.

Take this stick into your boss’s office and smack him with it a couple of times, and a little typing table or a computer hutch with a keyboard tray will magically appear. 😉