Health Manual #1

The computer is a vital tool in many different jobs and activities, for adults and children. There are many health and safety problems associated with regular use of computer systems. But long periods of using a computer can increase your chance of developing an injury.

Children can experience particular physical and psychological problems if they play computer games too much. In the below pages there are some health risks while using your computers and their solutions. Read them carefully.

Back and Neck Problem/strains

For individuals that invest significant amounts of time working with computer systems, neck pain can be a frequent issue. By computer systems, we are talking about desktops, laptops, notebooks a personal computer, display units as well as terminals, include things like using a keyboard as well as devices such as a mouse or even trackball. Neck pain from computer use can be encountered between the bottom of the head around the level of the ear towards the upper part of the back and shoulders.

Solution

Use fully adjustable chairs to give the correct posture
Use foot rests to reduce posture problems
Use screens that can be tilted to ensure neck is at the correct angle

Eyestrain

Eyestrain is primarily a result of overworking the muscles of the eyes. One is simply a result of human evolution: our eyes have evolved to see at a distance in a three-dimensional world, but a monitor presents the user with a close-up, two-dimensional environment. As a result, after hours in front of the computer, the eye focusing point extends beyond the screen and out to a resting point of accommodation. This causes the user to exert extra effort to keep the eyes focused on the screen. Glare is another common factor in eye muscle fatigue.

Solution

Ensure that there is no screen flicker, since this can lead to eye problems
Take Regular breaks and try focusing on a point which is some distance away
Change to LCD screens where flicker is less of a problem than with CRT screens
Make use of anti-glare screens if lighting in the room is a problem
Have eyes tested regularly - middle-vision glasses should be prescribed if the user has a persistent problem such as eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, etc

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) - damage to fingers and wrists

RSI refers to a wide variety of problems. An RSI can affect almost any movable part of the human body. RSIs are associated with repetitive tasks, forceful exertions, vibrations, mechanical compression, and sustained or awkward positions. Other names include repetitive motion injuries, repetitive motion disorder (RMD), cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), occupational overuse syndrome, overuse syndrome, and regional musculoskeletal disorder.

Solution

Ensure correct posture is maintained (i.e. correct angle of arms to the keyboard and mouse)
Make proper use of a wrist when using a mouse or a keyboard
Take proper use and do some exercise
Use voice activated software if the user is prone to problems when using mouse and keyboard

Headaches

Computer-related headaches can also be triggered by working in a bright environment. The lighting in many office spaces includes sun-filled windows, overhead fluorescent lights, and desk lamps.

Solution

Use an anti-glare screen or use window blinds to cut out light reflections - bad lighting can cause squinting and lead to headaches, etc.
Take regular breaks and do some exercises
Have eyes tested regularly and use middle-vision glasses if necessary

Ozone irritation

Have you ever wonder, is it possible that gadgets can damage you slowly through a physical object that cant be seen through visual perception. Health experts have suggested that ozone emitted from laser printers can lead to breathing problems.

Solution

Ensure proper ventilation to remove the ozone gas as quickly as possible
It is recommended that laser printers should be situated at least one metre away from where people are sitting and there should be good ventilation in the area
Change to other types of printers if necessary like inkjet printers (in place of laser printers)

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