Computer Health

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Computer Health Ergonomics

• Keyboarding
• Ms. S. Romer

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Objectives

• Explain what repetitive strain injury is and what
  causes it
• Describe methods of preventing repetitive strain
  injury
• Say what computer vision syndrome is and what
  causes it
• List methods of preventing computer vision
  syndrome
• List methods of preventing lower back pain
• Explain what ergonomics is and how it helps to
  eliminate or reduce computer-related disorders

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Introduction

• Computers are a hugely important part of human
  work. Banks and manufacturing companies rely on
  data gathering and analysis to give them a
  competitive edge. It calls for long, intensive
  hours of concentrated and repetitive work on the
  computer.
• Unfortunately, after a few years, a worker can
  suffer from a range of health problems known as
  computer work-related disorders. These include
  repetitive strain injury, computer vision
  syndrome and lower back syndrome.

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Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

• There are two key types of repetitive strain
  injury.
• Tendonitis is where a tendon is inflamed,
  caused by some repeated motion or stress on that
  tendon.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an inflammation
  of the nerve that connects your forearm to the
  palm of your hand. Repeated or forced bending of
  the wrist can cause both types of repetitive
  strain injury.

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Cont'd

• Symptoms of tendonitis and CTS of the wrist
  includes

Tendonitis CTS
Extreme pain that extends from the forearm to the hand Burning pains when the nerve is compressed
Tingling in the fingers Numbness and tingling in the thumb and first two fingers
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Factors that results in RSI

• Repetition long or concentrated hours of keying
  or mousing, especially if under pressure to key
  quickly
• Posture long hours of sitting in the same
  position while keying or mousing especially if
  this is in an uncomfortable or poorly supported
  position or if the wrists are excessively bent
• Lack of rest intensive hours at the keyboard
  with few breaks, especially if the task has
  little variety or if the operator does not take a
  rest when needed

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Methods of Preventing RSI

• Take frequent breaks during any long computer
  session to exercise your hands and arms
• Place a wrist rest between the keyboard and the
  edge of your desk to prevent injury due to typing
• Place the mouse at least six inches in from the
  edge of the desk to prevent injury while using
  the mouse.
• Type on the computer keyboard as you would play
  the piano lifting fingers up and down rather
  than your wrists
• Position the mouse at the same height as your
  keyboard.

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Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

• Computer vision syndrome (CVS) may cause any of
  the following conditions
• Sore, tired, burning, itching or dry eyes
• Blurred or double vision
• Headache or sore neck
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Difficulty focusing on the screen image
• 'Colour fringes' or 'after images' when you look
  away from the monitor
• Difficulty shifting focus between monitor and
  documents

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Methods of preventing CVS

• Take a break of 5-10 minutes away from the
  computer every hour
• Reduce glare and reflections from the computer
  screen clean your screen and block out
  excessive sunlight and reflections from lamps
• Adjust the contrast and brightness of the
  computer screen so that there is a high contrast
  between text on the screen and the screen
  background
• Gently massage your eyes, cheeks, forehead, neck
  and upper back from time to time to keep blood
  flowing and muscles loose

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Lower Back Pain

• Lower back pain can be caused by bad posture or
  poorly designed or incorrectly assembled
  furniture or equipment.
• Use a firm, adjustable and comfortable chair.
  Adjust the chair height so that your thighs are
  horizontal, your feet are flat on the floor and
  the backs of your knees are slightly higher than
  the seat of your chair. The back of the chair
  should support your lower back.
• Stretch your lower back now and then by standing
  up and pulling each knee to your chest, holding
  that position for a few seconds.
• Relax your shoulders. Upper arm and forearm
  should form a right angle, with your wrist and
  hand in roughly a straight line.
• Take short breaks and walk around

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Methods of Preventing RSI

• Take frequent breaks during any long computer
  session to exercise your hands and arms
• Place a wrist rest between the keyboard and the
  edge of your desk to prevent injury due to typing
• Place the mouse at least six inches in from the
  edge of the desk to prevent injury while using
  the mouse.
• Type on the computer keyboard as you would play
  the piano lifting fingers up and down rather
  than your wrists
• Position the mouse at the same height as your
  keyboard.

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Ergonomics

• Ergonomics a science that makes extensive use
  of mathematics, physics and biomechanics to
  determine the best working conditions for humans
  who work with machines.
• Manufacturers can incorporate features for
  comfort, efficiency and safety into computer
  furniture and equipment.
• Ergonomically designed furniture and equipment
  helps to reduce the risk of injuries as it
  reduces the strain on several parts of the body.

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Assignments

• Quiz September 23, 2014
• Homework Due September 18th, 2014
• Create an ergonomics plan for your new office.
  What kind of ergonomic equipment would you put
  into your new office. Include at least 5
  equipment along with a description of each (can
  include pictures).
• Must be typed, 12 pt Cambria or Calibri and
  double spaced.