KEYS TO HEALTHY COMPUTING Pt. 3

BACK, NECK AND SHOULDER PROBLEMS

Computer operators commonly feel pain in the lower back. This is often the result of sitting for long periods in a chair that does not provide support to the lower back (lumbar) region.

 

If the chair is not helping to maintain the back in an upright position, the back muscles must do more work, causing fatigue. Inappropriate chairs also contribute to slouching and other postures that put pressure on the spine. Tilting the head backward causes a pain in the neck and shoulders. This commonly happens when the monitor is too high. When seated at the computer, the top of the monitor should be at or below eye level.

Improper placement of work materials is also a common cause of neck problems. Repeatedly bending the head downward to look at a paper flat on a desk and then tilting the neck backwards to see the computer screen can cause pain and stiffness in the neck. A document holder at the same height, distance, and angle as the computer screen eliminates the need for this motion. Shoulder strain and soreness can also occur if the computer operator must reach too far to use the mouse. The mouse should be next to the keyboard, and appropriately placed for either right- or left-handed users.

EYE AND VISION PROBLEMS

Eye and vision problems are the most common health complaints of computer operators. This comes as no surprise to anyone who has worked for long periods of time in front of a computer.

The usual symptoms include:

_ eye fatigue or eye strain (asthenopia)

_ blurred vision

_ burning, itching or tearing eyes

_ temporary change in ability to see colors and

_ headaches.

Many operators have reported that they feel their vision has worsened after working with computers. Some started wearing corrective lenses and others have required frequent prescription changes since beginning work on the equipment. Most investigators have not found any connection between computer use and long-term damage to the eyes.

The most common risk factors for headaches, eye and vision problems are:

_ unclear, flickering or characters that are too small

_ reflections and glare on the screen

_ light that is too bright

_ being too close or too far from the screen

_ too much time looking at the screen and

_ stressful working conditions.

Computer operators should have yearly vision examinations. Make sure your eye care professional knows that you work with a computer. The fact that you work with a computer may affect the type of prescription lenses that you need.

STRESS

Just about every working person knows the feeling of being under pressure to meet the demands of the job. In workplaces across the country, employers and workers are striving for greater efficiency. In offices, management has looked to computer technology as a way to get more work done in less time and with fewer people.

Stress is not only a feeling; it causes changes in body functions (physiology) such as the release of a variety of hormones, increased breathing, quickened pulse and the production of more stomach acid.

Workers suffering from repeated, prolonged or continuous job stress may experience:

_ frequent headaches

_ sleeplessness

_ loss of appetite

_ depression

_ short temper

_ backache and stomach problems

_ ulcers

_ high blood pressure and/or

_ heart disease.

Stress can also increase the risk of being injured on the job, weaken the body’s resistance to disease, lead to substance abuse, and contribute to marital and other social problems.

Conditions that cause stress (stressors) can be divided into two general categories, the work environment and the organization of work.

Environmental factors that lead to stress include:

_ uncomfortable temperatures, humidity and poor air quality

_ improper lighting

_ noise and

_ equipment and furniture that are not the right shape or size.

When the physical working conditions are uncomfortable or inappropriate, the computer operator must do something to adapt to the unsuitable conditions. The effort to cope with the environment is added to the already existing demands of the job, thereby increasing the level of stress.

The organization of work involves the manner in which work is done.

Numerous organizational factors can make computer work more stressful, such as:

_ repetitive tasks

_ a lack of participation in decision-making and control over how to do your job

_ lack of breaks or work not requiring a keyboard

_ excessive overtime

_ unreasonable pace of work and

_ computer monitoring.

In addition to the actual design of computer work, other job conditions can contribute to the stress of operators. These include low wages, absence of career advancement opportunities and inadequate child care.