Ergonomics The Environment Derek Franks Comm 165 Ergonomics

Ergonomics & The Environment Derek Franks Comm 165

Ergonomics ü Ergonomics is the study of human factors related to things people use. ü Concern with matching job with worker instead of worked adapting to computers ü Working on designs increase productivity and avoid risk to health ü Working on computers for long periods can create physical and mental health problems.

Physical Health ü Eyestrain & Headache ü Extended computer use can cause this ü Take 15 minute breaks to avoid the problem ü Back and Neck Pain ü Working at monitors or keyboards in wrong positions ü Use adjustable equipment ü Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) ü Injury from fast, repetitive keyboard work ü Carpal tunnel syndrome is one type of RSI

Mental Health ü Noise ü Counterproductive irritant ü Working next to certain printers can cause ringing ears ü Distraction from voice input/output ü Electronic Monitoring ü Workers whose work is electronically monitored – more health issues than those supervised by people ü Technostress – tension that occurs when we have to unnaturally adapt to computers rather than have them adapt to us.

Avoiding Risks ü Take 15 -minute breaks from the computer after every 1 -2 hours ü Massage hands to help prevent RSI ü Use proper equipment ü Adjustable chair and monitors ü Wrist rest ü Use headphones ü Replacing electronic monitoring in the workplace

The Environment ü Computers use the greatest amount of electricity in the work place (5%) ü Environmental Protection Agency created Energy Star program ü Goal of reducing energy requirements for computers ü Concept of the Green PC

The Green PC ü System Unit ü Uses less energy thanks to technology used on portable computers ü Processors and drives go into sleep mode