Ergonomics
When you sit, have you ever felt like your back is fighting to slouch and you have tried so hard to fight back? Or you are staring at the computer screen and it seems like a struggle to complete your task? Or working at the cash register and your hand seems to be in pain, among other physical issues when dealing with other Information and Communication Technology or ICT devices? Well, it is because you have not maintained the correct body posture or make your work setting as comfortable as it possibly should be. In this case what I will ask you to do will only take 5 minutes of your time. Stop what you are doing at this moment and recall your previous actions and postures and identify what do you think ergonomics entail?
Is there a correct and simpler way to perform ICT related tasks?
Yes: there are right and wrong ways of sitting; perusing and typing on your computer; light adjustment in your work environment and the list goes on. These may be unhealthy and all these encompass ergonomics.
What is Ergonomics?
This basic scenario gives a synopsis of what ergonomics focuses on:
Is there a correct and simpler way to perform ICT related tasks?
Yes: there are right and wrong ways of sitting; perusing and typing on your computer; light adjustment in your work environment and the list goes on. These may be unhealthy and all these encompass ergonomics.
What is Ergonomics?
This basic scenario gives a synopsis of what ergonomics focuses on:
For example: it is in a similar manner to how a parent may strain to interact with their child, ICT is the child and the user is the parent trying to satisfy that computer. This context can be manipulated into other situations when dealing with ICT. Do you really want to be unhealthy because of ignorance or reluctance to heed and practice safety principles due something that will not be affected by such human errors? This is to say we really should not ignore nor accommodate the aforementioned unhealthy posture and working environment, to only become resentful later. Remember!!! Prevention is better than cure or any treatment. Adjusting work stations, work process and tools for comfort and safety of the human body to suite the user speaks to the field of Ergonomics.
What are some of the issues entailed in ergonomics?
If you do not practice ergonomics what will happen?
Note that spacing and lighting are important in work settings and poor positioning will cost you. Even the key boards were created and designed - with a specific way for typing (known as touch type or touch method or touch and type method)- for easy usage to reduce work related musculo-skeletal injuries. This implies, easy access to keys that you would not have to stretch extensively, whilst making yourself uncomfortable and harming your body.
1. *Repetitive Strain Injuries in wrists and hands*
RSI Causes
Repetitive Strain Injury is the lack of blood supply to the muscles, tendons and nerves. Carpal Tunnel Sydrome is one category of this. These can result from many forms of manual work, or if persons use their hands continuously and forcefully. Some factors are:
* office work
* house work
* sports (tennis elbow)
* music (instrumental usage)
*Creating Art works
*Programming
2. *Carpal Tunnel Syndrome*
Note that spacing and lighting are important in work settings and poor positioning will cost you. Even the key boards were created and designed - with a specific way for typing (known as touch type or touch method or touch and type method)- for easy usage to reduce work related musculo-skeletal injuries. This implies, easy access to keys that you would not have to stretch extensively, whilst making yourself uncomfortable and harming your body.
1. *Repetitive Strain Injuries in wrists and hands*
RSI Causes
Repetitive Strain Injury is the lack of blood supply to the muscles, tendons and nerves. Carpal Tunnel Sydrome is one category of this. These can result from many forms of manual work, or if persons use their hands continuously and forcefully. Some factors are:
* office work
* house work
* sports (tennis elbow)
* music (instrumental usage)
*Creating Art works
*Programming
2. *Carpal Tunnel Syndrome*
3. *Eye strain and Lighting*
Eye Strain Causes and Prevention
Eye Strain may be caused from looking at something for prolonged periods. Take regular breaks from the monitor and utilize the "anti-glare filter" and light controls. Moreso, light adjustment becomes pertinent – as light provided in your work setting either from natural or made-made source, can affect your eyes. Try not to have too little (dim light) and not too much (bright light) lighting in work setting. Therefore, staring at the computer screen for extensive periods may result in computer vision syndrome.
Eye Strain Causes and Prevention
Eye Strain may be caused from looking at something for prolonged periods. Take regular breaks from the monitor and utilize the "anti-glare filter" and light controls. Moreso, light adjustment becomes pertinent – as light provided in your work setting either from natural or made-made source, can affect your eyes. Try not to have too little (dim light) and not too much (bright light) lighting in work setting. Therefore, staring at the computer screen for extensive periods may result in computer vision syndrome.
4. *Back and Neck Ache*
Back and Neck Ache
Bending one's back or neck to suit devices like the computer or cell phone is incorrect. Hold the phone at an appropriate angle to text. Also, use ear phones when conversing. Further information on the appropriate ways to use a computer was illustrated in a prior picture and can be accessed in the links provided below.
Back and Neck Ache
Bending one's back or neck to suit devices like the computer or cell phone is incorrect. Hold the phone at an appropriate angle to text. Also, use ear phones when conversing. Further information on the appropriate ways to use a computer was illustrated in a prior picture and can be accessed in the links provided below.
What do you save yourself by adhering to ergonomics?
For User:
* Can reduce eyestrain, hand and wrist strains, back pains, neck pains, etc.
* Good vision e.g. 20/20 vision
* Eliminate loss of work time
* Medical bills
e.g. RSI Treatment that:
- Can require physiotherapy and/or use of special input devices, chairs, desks
- Splints, wrist braces, injections, surgery
- Can require surgery in extreme cases
- Can be so bad that surgery cannot help- permanent damage or helps partially
* Eradication of short or life-long/ permanent illness(es)
* Job
- Employers may use injury as excuse to layoff worker
For Companies including ICT Companies:
* Prevention of a reduced Labour force
* Reduction in worker absenteeism
* Improvement in productivity
- Especially, if users use software and workstations for many hours per day
* Eliminate loss of work time
* Lessen Competition from other " ICT" companies and products
-persons will afford those "better ICTs" that provide less risk to health ; and that requires less body movement, etc.
* Increase customers and consumers
* Unnecessary spending
* More Revenue or profit
What are some solutions to these problems?
For User:
* Practice good ergonomics
* Proper usage of desk, keyboard, and other devices
* Rest and perform stretching exercises (also helps back and neck and eye strain)
By companies, including ICT companies:
* Good software and workstation design
* Cost of proper software design and workstations can quickly be recouped
Recommendations
Cheaper is not always better. If you cannot get these things right away, no problem, as immediate gratification is what often time gets us into trouble. It is advisable that persons be innovative, become thrifty and invest in something worthwhile and affordable.
* Some ICTs related items you may invest in are:
- Adjustable, ergonomic chair- e.g. Liberty chair
- Split key boards/ Kenesis ergonomic Keyboard
BE SMART AND STAY HEALTHY
Related Videos:
http://video.about.com/ergonomics/Ergonomics-at-Work.htm
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To learn about the author of this page just click on this link Ashlee Hemans