|
In
today’s competitive market, most of the jobs revolve around telephones
and computers as key workstation components. Telephones are an
inevitable part of the workstation because they add to the convenience
of your work. Yet, this combination is very dangerous as you tend to
use both the devices simultaneously which may lead to musculoskeletal
disorders. The cords of the telephone can get tangled up hence causing
the user to assume awkward postures.
Telephone Quick Tips
o If your job involves speaking over the phone for a long time, do use a speakerphone.
o
Ensure that the speakerphone is close to you so that you don.t have to
reach it every time, which in turn causes strain.
Probable Risks in Placement and Use
If
the telephone is placed too far away from the user, it causes strain on
the shoulder, arm, and neck due to repeated reaching.
Feasible Solutions
o
Let your telephone be placed in the primary or secondary work zone,
depending on usage patterns. Thus you can avoid reaching it repeatedly,
reducing the possibility of injury.
o Ensure that the cord of your telephone is out of the work area so that it does not create a tripping hazard.
Probable Risk
Some
users do not want to waste their time when they have to use the phone
while working on the computer. Hence they keep the phone pinched
between their head and shoulder thus talking over the phone and working
on the computer simultaneously. This may cause stress on the neck and
especially the ears as they are pressed between the head and shoulders
during the entire conversation.
Feasible Solution
If you have to spend a lot of time on the phone while using the
computer, it is ideal to use a "hands-free" headset. If your co-workers
do not have a problem, speakerphone is yet another appropriate solution
provided the volume is adjusted for your audibility only.
Telephone Recipe
1)
Always use a telephone with a "hands free" headset if your job at the
workstation involves more of manual tasks such as typing so that you
don’t strain your neck and head while doing both the tasks
simultaneously.
2) Use a telephone that has a "hands-free" feature.
3) Ensure that your "hands-free" headsets have volume control options.
What We Have Learned
Fig. 15- A laptop is not recommended for long time usage.
Due to its special design, size, and shape, a laptop workstation
creates special challenges. All the points discussed about the
different components of the computer workstation are applicable to
laptops too. Users possessing laptops can go through these points for
additional information.
Work Process and Recognition
Until
now we have been discussing the different ways by which, you get
affected by sitting in front of the computer for long hours and the
different options that you can try to avoid them. Though you follow all
those recommendations and solutions to the best of your capability,
there are still other kinds of hazards like task organization that can
strengthen the effect of other risk factors, such as repetition.
Moreover, if you fail to recognize early warning signs, they may lead
to small problems to develop into serious injuries. If you concentrate
more on task organization factors and medical awareness, it can help
you to minimize the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
and stop further advancement to injury.
Let us discuss two important factors in this context.
(i) Prolonged Periods of Activity
(ii) Medical Awareness and Training
Prolonged Periods of Activity
Probable Risks
Computers are a part of life these days. They play the role of a
teacher, mailman, newspaper, and television.
The software industry also provides jobs to many people. Computer work,
when viewed from a total body outlook, may seem to be an effortless
activity, whether it’s for a job or for fun.
But, if the user performs highly repetitive tasks for prolonged periods
in the same posture, it may cause discomforts in localized areas of the
body. For instance, everybody depends on the mouse while working on the
computer. If this is used for a few minutes, it should not be a problem
for most users.
But performing this task continuously for more than a few uninterrupted
hours can expose the small muscles and tendons of the hand to hundreds
or even thousands of activations (repetitions). The user may not get
enough time between activations for rest and recovery, which can cause
localized fatigue, wear and tear, and injury.
Similarly, if the user maintains static postures continuously, such as
viewing the monitor without taking a break, it can fatigue the muscles
of the neck and shoulder that support the head.
Feasible Solutions
1)
Try to vary your tasks and workstations so that you get ample time to
recover from the outcome of your activity. Different ways are being
practiced to provide recovery time for overused muscles.
2)
Design your workstation in such a way that you can easily change your
working postures according to your convenience. It is always safe to
select adjustable furniture for the workstation that allows you to
shift to different seated postures every time you want to. This helps
different muscle groups to provide support while others rest.
3)
Your work area should be spacious enough to let you use the mouse with
either hand alternately. Thus the tendons and muscles of the free hand
get enough relaxation.
4)
Reduce your dependence on the mouse and use more of shortcut keys. For
example, you can use Ctrl+S to save, Ctrl+P to print etc. Certain jobs
do require more dependence on the mouse. Users in such professions
should learn to use more shortcut keys.
5)
Jobs that involve more repeated tasks or prolonged static postures may
lead to muscular strain. The users should forcefully take several short
breaks or relaxed pauses. The users should stand, stretch, and move
around during such breaks. This increases blood circulation and gives
enough time for the muscles to relax.
6)
Try to mix computer tasks and non-computer tasks alternately in all
possible situations. This encourages the movement of different parts of
the body by using different muscle groups.
Medical Awareness and Training
Probable Risks
Most of the users neither get a chance to go through a proper training
to identify the risks and hazards nor do they realize effective work
practices designed to reduce these hazards. Such people have more
chances of getting affected because of their ignorance. Even though
disorders like MSD affect them, they are not medically aware of the
signs and symptoms and hence do not notice or address such issues.
For instance, users who don’t realize the hazards of awkward
postures while working on the computer don’t know how to take care of
their pains and strains. Delay in realizing and diagnosing such
discomforts may lead to severe injury.
Feasible Solutions
Everybody who uses computers is bound to acquire training on general ergonomic awareness based on the following issues:
o
They should get trained on the aspects related to all the computer
components exclusively, that generally increase discomfort or risk of
injury
o
They should be made aware of the different signs and symptoms of all
kinds of discomforts caused by continuous computer usage so that they
can identify these from the beginning and treat with appropriate
medications.
o
They should be given enough information on the methods of using and
adjusting all the computer components correctly as well as the
environmental factors.
Workstation Environment
You
can have a better view of the monitor and see the images clearly if you
take good care in selecting the right level of illumination and place
it appropriately. Normally, brighter lighting or sources that cause
glare on your monitor lead to eyestrain or headaches which may force
you to work in awkward postures to have a better view of the screen.
The comfort of the user and hence his productivity is related to the
aeration and moisture levels in the workstation environment. We shall
take a look at the 3 factors that affect the workstation environment.
- Lighting
- Glare
- Ventilation
Environment Quick Tips
1)
You should design your office in such a way that the glare from
overhead lights, desk lamps, and windows is reduced to a maximum.
2) Your office room should be designed in such a way as to maintain appropriate air circulation.
3) Do not sit directly under air conditioning vents that push air right on top of you. Learn more about Healthy Computing habits.
|