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Posts Tagged ‘computer health and safety’
Computers are an integral part of most businesses. However, many people don’t grasp the safety procedures necessary to use a computer correctly. As with all safety risks, the potential cost to a business were something to go wrong is huge. The use of display screen equipment (DSE) or visual display units (VDU) is associated with a variety of health problems including pains in the neck, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers, back ache, fatigue and stress, long and short term eye strain and headaches.
When these health issues are properly considered and managed, the use of computers should not lead to long term health issues. Problems that arise during routine work activities can normally be resolved by adjusting of seating, the workstation, the display screen or keyboard and instructing the employees about the correct posture to adopt when using a computer. A small number of people who develop or have existing upper limb disorders, which may not be as a result of work, may sometimes require special arrangements. Since computers and related equipment are designed and built to recognised standards the key to preventing health related issues is how they are set up and used.
Ergo Journal regularly publish articles, tips and advice on how to arrange your office workstation in an attempt to raise awareness of basic workstation ergonomics and reduce the stresses we each face on a daily basis.
With laptop computers now firmly outstripping sales of desktop computers around the globe, additional consideration by individuals and employers should be given to workstation ergonomics if the laptop is going to be used for any reasonable amount of time in one place.
I use a laptop myself and make sure I practice what I preach by using a laptop stand to lift the screen height, a dedicated mini keyboard, wrist rest, ergonomic chair and so on as I predominantly use my laptop whilst at my desk in the office.
We recently discovered a highly insightful white paper published by Ergoton, specialists in display mounting technology. The white paper is based on academic research spanning 25 years on the subject of comfortable computing and is entitled: Comfortable Portable Computing: The ergonomic way.
Within any organisation, it tends to be the responsibility of the employer to ensure that employees are provided with the tools and education to carry out their jobs safely.
Working in a manufacturing or construction environment, it is often easy to see evidence of these assessments, high visibility jackets, signage, warning alarms and so on make it easier to appreciate the health and safety risks and considerations for employees and site visitors. But what about the health risks in less ‘dangerous’ working environments, such as the office?
Within any given office the dangers may be less obvious, no heavy machinery for example (vending machines, water coolers and photocopiers excluded) but the apparent calmness of the office does not mean that employees are not at risk from health issues.
What about Workstation ergonomics? Injuries such as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) can potentially lead to long term illness and a loss in productivity yet can often be avoided.
One way to ensure that the tools and education are provided to employees to highlight and minimise risk at the workstation, or desk’ is to carry out a risk assessment on each employee and their workstation, and put in place any corrective actions should a risk be identified, thus creating a healthier, more productive working environment.
In a recent report published in the U.S. We are informed of how ‘Technology has brought huge advances in the power and capability of the machines which support us in our work. The human machine evolves at a somewhat slower pace. The result: workplaces which can at times resemble medieval torture chambers, at least as far as our necks, eyes and hands are concerned! The adaptation of machine to man is the concept of Ergonomics. Ergonomic products seek to enhance the interface between technology and the human form. Ergonomics attempts to identify the physical points of stress, and then minimize or eliminate that stress through superior design of workstations.
The economy of ergonomic improvements is reported in case studies in Swedish companies. Poor workplace ergonomics and related musculoskeletal problems were already known and had caused repeated sick-leave periods at the companies. Expenses associated with certain preventive activities were accounted for the financial effects. When costs were compared to gains, the improvements appeared to be highly profitable. (Kristina Kemmlert, Solna, Sweden)
There are still a lot of people who do not realize that the body pains they bear are often attributed to the bad ergonomics in the office. According to ergonomics, no matter how healthy a person is, once he or she is forced to work using office products with bad ergonomics, he or she can develop a world of medical problems such as upper and lower back pain, leg, hip, and neck pain, as well as severe headaches and migraines. (Tomer Harel, How Ergonomic Office Products can Improve your Life)’
We are often asked: What is ergonomics?
According to The International Ergonomics Association, ergonomics is defined as:
‘Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.’
Put simply, the science of designing and arranging products and the local environment to minimize the risk of injury and maximize productivity.
Poor ergonomics (or understanding of ergonomics) could lead to a Repetitive Strain Injury, which can be incredibly painful for the sufferer and can lead to loss of productivity to employers, it is therefore big business!
‘Hot-desks’ are becoming more commonplace due to more business offering flexible working arrangements. People working from home may not necessarily require a permanent desk in the office, or desks may have multiple users around the clock to suit the organisational needs. Considering Workplace Ergonomics and Display Screen Equipment (DSE) for desks with multiple users requires a little more thought, as one workstation set up simply will not work for a range of users.
Along with the key requirement for an adjustable ergonomic chair, the requirement to adjust the monitor position for each user to achieve an ergonomically correct position reduces the risk of workplace injury.
The Ergotron 45-174-300 Neo-Flex arm is designed to enable multiple users to quickly position the display screen in a position which suits them.
Achieving good workstation or office ergonomics when using a laptop isn’t always easy. It is important to try to position the screen in a comfortable working position to avoid, neck shoulder and eye strain and the Akasa Everest Ergonomic Cooling Station does just that. The design benefits from attractive extruded aluminium sections, giving it a very robust feel and great finish. With the integrated fan cooler, the ergonomic cooling station aims to consider the welfare of your laptop as well as your body.
The Lindo Black Ergonomic Executive Office Chair is a modern stylish ergonomic chair which can be adjusted in a number of ways to ensure that its users can get their posture exactly right when considering workplace ergonomics. Its stylish design complements its ergonomic performance and its solid construction utilises stainless steel, polyurethane and one piece extruded sections.
There are no set-in-stone rules for office ergonomics, we’re all individuals and as a result, what constitutes an ergonomically correct workstation set up for one person, will not be suitable for the person on the next desk.
It’s important to set up your workstation to suit you, and ensure that you apply the same rules should you work from home, or the office hot-desk.
To reduce the risk of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and avoid any adverse health symptoms, aches, pains or strains you need to ensure that you arrange your workstation correctly. It only takes a minute to apply the basic principles, so there should be no excuse!
Ergo Journal has the following tips for helping you reduce the risk of computer related injuries, which may be attributed to workstation layout.