Clear - Ergonomics (Week 2)

After watching all the lectures for week two, my favorite one was ergonomics. I knew there were certain ways to sit while using a computer, but didn't realize there were certain computer pieces you could have to be healthier.

Things that are at stake are risk of illness/injury, productivity and employee satisfaction.  The illness/injury can come from looking computers too long, sitting improperly can cause neck pain, etc. Productivity can be reduced if eyes are strained, people are injured, etc. Employee satisfaction would reduce because if they're ill or injured and not productive, they will no longer be happy working there.

You can get help with these things! Hardware help is somewhere you can begin, meaning what you use with your computer. The traditional keyboards (ones accustomed to laptops) are harder on your wrists because it creates an unnatural strain. There are keyboards, like the one below, that are shaped to be more natural and create less strain.

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You can also use pointing devices (mouse, etc.) to help with your health. Select one that keeps your wrist up and moves your whole arm (has a track ball or is called a renaissance mouse, which resembles a joystick).

Other options include software help, which will force you to take a break. One place you can look for this is a company called Neuonce, product name Dragon. The software makes you take a break to rest, adjust, move around a little, however you want to spend it -- just not working on the computer. Of course the system can't make you do something and you can delay it, but beware because it will make you take the break at some point..

When improving your ergonomics the main thing to keep in mind is maintain neutral body posture. The three basic goals are to use larger muscle groups (the whole hand instead of the fingers or the arm instead of the wrist), maintain neutral position of the wrist (make sure it is not resting on the keyboard, but risen) and maintain neutral body posture (sitting with your feet grounded, back straight and arms at 90 degree angles).

The YouTube video below demonstrates in a one-minute training how you can improve your health and get rid of/lessen pains associated with computers.

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A few things not pointed out in the video are the monitors, which should be placed where the eye level is at the top of the screen when you sit up straight, but glasses may require it a little lower. The monitor should be an arm's length away. Avoid cradling your phone between your head and shoulders, instead your a headset.

The 20/20 Rule is to help with your eyes. Every 20 minutes take a few seconds break and look at something 20 feet away.

Ergonomics is important to the business world because it is your health. If you aren't healthy, you won't be healthy at work.

For a different perspective on what ergonomics is, see what Oklahoma State University has to say about it! They outline the same aspects I've referenced in this blog post, but give it in a different tone.