| With the increased use of personal computers
at home and at
the office, UMD has experienced a new trend of computer/office
workstation-related complaints, most of which are induced by poor work
habits, poor workstation design and highly repetitive "keying and
mousing".
Common
Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD)
risk factors found in offices include:
- Awkward
position and posture.
- Chronic/continuous
repetition.
- Excessive
pressure/force.
Complaints/Symptoms:
- Headaches,
general malaise
- Eyestrain, dry or sore eyes
- Back pain and/or fatigue
- Stiffness and soreness in the neck
- Wrist and hand pain
- Stiffness and soreness of shoulder
- Pain, soreness of the elbow
- Discomfort or pain in the knees
- Hips and low back pain
Some of the
symptoms
may be aggravated by few off-the job activities. However,
investigations of the complaints confirmed that most are
workstation-related. Additionally, the discomfort, soreness, and
fatigue occur whenever there is a combination of excessive force or
pressure on the joints and muscles of the upper extremities, highly
repetitive tasks, and poor work habits such as improper sitting
(slouching) or awkward position of the back, arms, wrists, neck, and
legs etc.
As discussed
above, the following are some of the contributing factors or root
causes of musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms:
Contributing
Factors:
- Inadequate
lighting and direct glare.
- Repetitive hand and arm motion.
- Sitting or standing for long periods.
- No breaks for long periods of time.
- Non-adjustable workstation and chair
- Bending or flexing wrists while typing
- Bending neck forward or backward while
looking
at monitor.
- Bent neck sidewise while on the phone.
- Work surfaces with sharp edges.
- Inadequate leg space.
- No or inadequate armrest.
- Working with elbows far from the body.
Solutions:
Two types of solutions or avenues available:
Get our office involved (see directions
in our Occupational Ergonomics Program Front Page).
Do it yourself and improve your
working conditions.
|
Correct
Posture
Awkward
posture
|
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
reports in a new study that short, strategically spaced rest breaks
can reduce eyestrain and musculoskeletal discomforts for video display
terminal operators without decreasing productivity.. |
Bent
Wrist
Hard
Surface Contact
Winged
Elbows
|
