Topic 26- Health Issues

ICT health problems

• Back ache
• Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
• Eye stain
• Stress

Bach-ache problems

• Caused by incorrect posture
• Computers users tend to slouch
• Laptops users frequently work with computer on their knees
• Can be made worse by a poorly designed/non-adjustable chair

Back-ache prevention

• Use an adjustable chair

• Make sure you make adjustable to the chair to suit you
• Sit up straight- do not slouch
• Ensure screen is at the correct angle and directly in front of you
• Use a footrest

Stress

Working with computers is stressful

Stress can be caused by:

• The pace of work
• Having to learn new technology
• Frustrating software
• Losing work-problems with virsuses

Stress Preventions

• Preventions
• Ask for help with a problem
• Use software that you are familiar with
• Leave the problem and take a break

Eyestrain

Cause blurred vision and headaches

Can be caused by:

• Focusing on the screen for long periods
• Glare/ reflection on the screen or a dirty screen

Preventing Eyestrain

• Keep the screen clear (use screen wipes)
• Avoid glare by using adjusatable blinds
• Take regular breaks
• Focus on a distant object at regular intervals
• Have regular eye-test

Repetitive strain injury

• Caused by repetitive actions such as typing or mouse clicking
• Causes aches in hands, wrist, arms and neck
• Can eventually be painful and disabling
• Can be avoided

Avoiding RSI

• Adjust the chair to suit you
• Ensure you have enough workspace

• Use a document holder
• Use a wrist rest
• Keep wrists straight when keying in
• Position the mouse so your wrist can be kept straight
• Learn how to type properly

Chairs should

• Have an adjustable backrest to support the back
• Allow the seat height to be adjusted
• Have a 5-caster base
• Have adjustable arm rests

Keyboards

• Keyboards should be separate from the screen
• Keyboards should be tilt table

• Keyboards should have a matt surface to reduce glare
• Keyboards should include enough space to rest your wirsts

Ergonomic keyboards

• Are good for reducing RSI

Lights

• There should be no point sources of light ( to reduce reflections on the screen)
• Adjustable blinds reduce the amount of sunshine entering through windows
• Matt grey keyboards, mouse, screen, etc, to reduce glare