Using Computers Ergonomically By Ethan Hood

What is Ergonomics? Ergonomics is the applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort. Facts about Ergonomics: In 1999, nearly 1 million people took time away from work to treat and recover from work-related musculoskeletal pain or impairment of function in the low back or upper extremities Work limitations caused by arthritis affects 1 in 20 working adults new cases of Carpal Tunnel appeared in 1994 alone (in the US). Upgrading the ergonomics of workers can improve a company’s productivity by 400% and reduce potential for workplace errors and injuries (source).(source) A study out of multiple universities in Nigeria linked long duration of computer usage, usage of ergonomically defective chairs, and bad ergonomic work station to incidence of Repetitive Strain injury.

Neck pain from phone use or looking to the side, Back pain from poor support, Wrist pain from typing and using the mouse, Eye strain from lighting, screen, or glasses issues. The Most Common Problems from Poor Ergonomics Solutions

Back pain Use an ergonomic chair, and adjust it to your proportions (feet flat on the floor, knees 90 degrees). The chair must have elbow rests adjusted so the elbows are at 90 degrees. For long periods of sitting, it is optimal to set the chair to 110 degrees, not 90. Staying in the same position all day is the worst thing for the back. Get up frequently, stretch, walk, and exercise periodically. A good ergonomic chair will provide lots of lumbar support for the lower back, and will be adjustable. Go To: Wrist Go To: Neck Go To: Eyes BackContinue

Neck Pain Phone Use Use speaker phone, an earpiece, or headphones for phone calls. Hold the phone with your hand. Desk Setup Place monitor directly in front of you. Organize desk so you are not constantly looking to the side at your work(Place important documents in front of you, not next to you). Adjust monitor height for the top of your screen to be in-line with your eyes. Neck pain usually comes from holding the phone between the ear and the shoulder, and looking to the side at a computer or files on the desk. Go To: Wrist Go To: Eyes Go To: Back ContinueBack

Wrist Pain A common wrist issue from computer use it Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This develops when the wrist is used too much and becomes worn out. We can prevent this with good ergonomics and work load management. Go To: Neck Go To: Back Go To: Eyes BackContinue Angle your keyboard almost completely flat. Use a wrist rest in front of the keyboard. Be careful not to overwork your wrists. Take breaks from typing. Keep the wrists elevated above or in line with the hands. It is also important to keep the wrist straight when using the mouse.

Eye Strain A good visual environment will: have sufficient light, coming from the right direction and not cause obscuring shadows, provide good (but not excessive) contrast between the task and the background, limit glare and extreme contrasts, and provide the right type of light. Look into the distance periodically. Look away from the screen every few minutes. Make sure lighting does not point at the screen. Make sure your workspace has enough different colours in it (monochrome environments strain eyes). Get eyes tested and glasses adjusted once a year. Screen should be ~20” from the eyes. Go To: Neck Go To: Back Go To: Wrist BackContinue

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