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Computer Ergonomics Need To Be A Priority
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration warns us that hours in front of the computer can have adverse effects on our bodies if we’re not careful. As their website warns, “Using a mouse for a few minutes should not be a problem for most users, but performing this task for several uninterrupted hours can expose the small muscles and tendons of the hand to hundreds or even thousands of activations (repetitions). There may not be adequate time between activations for rest and recuperation, which can lead to localized fatigue, wear and tear, and injury.” These warnings underscore the need for computer ergonomics, which may include such things as lighting, chair, desk, document holder and typing ergonomics.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics said that computer-related injuries accounted for 66% of work-related illnesses in the US in 1999, which resulted in a loss of productivity of an estimated $60-$100 billion dollars. A 1998 survey found that the repetitive injuries count had increased by 22% in just a few years time. Many workers in their thirties and forties experienced carpal tunnel syndrome in the early nineties, but today people in their mid-twenties are experiencing the need for computer ergonomics to alleviate their chronic wrist pain.
As a result, computer workstations with ergonomic furniture have gained widespread popularity around the world. For example, there are special keyboards for typing designed to reduce muscle strain. Some keyboards split the keys up, with different elevated sections to increase the range of motion. Others are fixed at a certain elevated position to the user’s hands aren’t so bent while typing.
A special ergonomic chair with a tilt function helps workers stretch their backs and change postures throughout the day to allow different muscle groups a chance to relax. Adjustable computer workstation ergonomics gives individuals the ability to change their postures frequently by moving trash cans, document folders and mouse pads around. There are even laptop attachments, like a different type of mouse and monitor.
In addition to purchasing computer ergonomics furniture, one can also take frequent breaks to give the eyes, back, hands, wrists and neck a break from the monotony of their work. During this time, the body will have adequate time to recover. Alternating physical tasks with computer tasks is the best way to go about the day. An ergonomic PC might consist of a keyboard pad that elevates the wrists a little more or a plug-in mouse that saves users from hand cramps trying to use their built-in devices.
More and more people spend long hours at a desk, which has led to increased problems with back and leg pain due to improper body alignment. This has led to an increase in the number of people using special chairs such as ergonomic kneeling chairs. Find out more at the Ergonomic Chair site.
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Filed under ergonomics by on Mar 29th, 2010. 
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