Read-aloud huddle
Imagine an office worker who gets a supportive chair and considers their laptop setup complete. Is the chair enough? No. OSHA's workstation checklist calls for a separate keyboard and input device, such as a mouse, when a laptop is the primary computer. Position the screen directly in front, with its top at or below eye level, so you can read without bending your neck down or back. Keep wrists aligned with forearms and the mouse beside the keyboard. Also vary keyboard tasks with other work or take recovery pauses. Today, identify one setup change to try. [1]
Myth: Once the chair is right, the job is done
Reality: OSHA evaluates the whole workstation, including posture, keyboard, input device, monitor and work organization. Its laptop advice is ergonomic guidance; the hypothetical example above is not an incident report. [1]
Adaptable control planning: OSHA's hierarchy prioritizes engineering solutions, including elimination or substitution, before work practices and administrative controls, with PPE last. Discuss feasible options with the people using the workstation. For this setup, consider equipment adjustments first, then work organization. [2]
- Equipment: Use a separate keyboard and mouse for primary laptop work. Adjust the screen and input positions for an upright, forward-facing head, straight wrists and a mouse beside the keyboard without reaching. [1]
- Work organization: Arrange opportunities to alternate keyboard work with other activities or take recovery pauses. [1]
Discussion questions: adapt to your office
- Which part of your setup makes you bend your neck or reach?
- What equipment adjustment could address it?
- How will the team confirm the applicable stop-work and no-retaliation procedures, including how to raise an unresolved concern?
- Check one primary laptop workstation for a separate keyboard and mouse; identify any missing equipment. [1]
- Try the screen and input adjustments with the user during actual typing and mouse use. [1]
- Agree on a task change or recovery-pause opportunity, then schedule a follow-up with the user. [1][2]
Owner/due planning prompt: Who has the ability to arrange the agreed change, by what date, and who will verify that it works? Record the names and target date locally. [2]
Verify and close the loop
Verification question: During typing and mouse use, can you read the screen without bending or twisting your neck, with wrists aligned and the mouse beside the keyboard without reaching? [1]
Close-the-loop question: After trying the change, did the user confirm the identified posture problem was addressed, and who will handle anything still unresolved? [2]
Note: Comprehension check: What extra input equipment does OSHA's checklist call for when a laptop is the primary computer? A separate keyboard and input device, such as a mouse. [1]
Sources
- Computer workstation evaluation checklist — OSHA. Accessed 2026-10-08. osha.gov
- Hazard prevention and control — OSHA. Accessed 2026-10-08. osha.gov