Document Holders
What are Document Holders?
Document Holders are common workstation accessories used to
improve viewability and accessibility to documents (papers,
documents, magazines, etc.) while working on a computer (or
alternate documents). Typically this type of accessory
provides the ability to improve the physical location and
angle of the material. A common secondary function of
Document Holders is to use them as Writing
Surfaces, a task for which they can be reasonably
suitable depending on the nature of the writing
activity.
What are the Ergonomic Benefits of a Document Holder?
Document Holders can help to ensure proper posture by
placing materials that need to be viewed Inline,
or in a less awkward position in the workstation of a
user. This helps to reduce Overextension when placing and removing documents from the field of
view.
Alternatively, Document Holders can also reposition
documents so they are immediately to the left or right of
the monitor and at the same height. This can improve
issues with neck posture by removing the need to look down
at documents and support the head in that position for
extended periods of time.
What are Potential Concerns when Considering a Document
Holder?
Document Holders are not ideal for all types of
materials. Thicker piles of papers, binders, file
folders and books can be difficult to properly position on
Document Holders. Some materials may have to be
'wedged open' (e.g. hard-cover books and file folders) and
few Document Holders have features which will facilitate
this requirement.
Document Holders do not typically make great Writing
Surfaces. For occasional quick notes, especially
when using soft lead pencils or gel pens / markers, they can
function, but they should not be used for extensive writing
activities.
For What Types of Tasks / Users are Document Holders
Suitable?
When viewing reference materials, the optimal angle is
significantly more vertical than horizontal (somewhere
between 50° and 90°). When writing, the optimal angle
is significantly more horizontal than vertical (somewhere
between 0° and 40°). As such for viewing and
occasional brief writing on most types of loose materials,
Document Holders are suitable. If more than very brief
notes need to be written, or materials are not properly
accommodated, consider Writing
Surfaces or Book
Holders as alternatives.
What Physical Injuries or Conditions Typically Benefit
from a Document Holder?
Document Holders can be of benefit to a wide variety of
individuals including individuals with conditions such as Thoracic
Outlet Syndrome, Lateral
Epicondylitus and Medial
Epicondylitus.
