This document discusses ergonomics and proper computer use. It defines musculoskeletal disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome, which can result from improper computer use over long periods of time. The document provides guidelines for setting up an ergonomic workstation, including positioning the monitor, keyboard, mouse, desk and chair. It also lists guidelines for lighting, glare and ventilation in the workspace. Students are asked to assess their own workstation and an example workspace based on ergonomic factors.

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1.8 Proper Use of Computers
As a society today we are beginning to use computers for everything
from gaming to design. This has not only improved our way of life but
has also improved the quality of products that we can produce.
There are however some disadvantages to the use of computers namely
in the injuries that occur from improper use. This can be as simple as
bending your neck the wrong way or in the way that your hands rest on
the keyboard while typing.

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What are Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)?
They are called different names:
o Sprains, strains, inflammation of muscles, tendons,
ligaments, joints,
o Back pain, sore back, carpal tunnel syndrome and other
symptoms involving nervous system.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?
Occurs when the nerve that runs from the
forearm to the palm of the hand becomes
compressed at the wrist. This nerve controls
sensations to the palm side of the thumb and
fingers as well as some small muscles that allow
the fingers and thumb to move.
The result of this is numbness pain or weakness
in the hand or wrist that radiates up through
the arm.
What causes CTS?
When there is an overbearing pressure on the
nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel; an
injury to the wrist such as a sprain or fracture
can cause this.
Repetitive tasks or forceful movements by the hand or wrist
during work can also be responsible for causing CTS.
How is it treated?
Medication/pain relievers may ease the symptoms, exercising and
stretching regularly
sugery: only considered if condition lasts longer than 6 months,
lessens the pressure on nerves by cutting tissue around the wrist.
How is it prevented?
Taking Breaks
Stretching
Using properly designed equipment and working in a safe and
well designed ergonomic environment

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1.8 Activities and Practice Exercises
1. Using some simple mathematical reasoning and estimation
determine how many hours you spend in front of a computer (on
average) a week. Show all your work in this calculation below.
I spend about 2 hours a day on a computer. I spend 2 hours a day and you multiply
by 7 because 7 days a week. I use the computer around 14 hours a week. I use
computers at school and home for work, social media and shopping.
2. Open up the web link below and write notes on the ergonomic
design of the following workstation components. You are to
describe at least THREE key guidelines for each workstation
component in the table below.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/components.html
Monitor Put monitor directly in front of you and at least 20 inches
away.
Place monitor so top line of screen is at or below eye level.
Place monitor perpendicular to window. It is important because
you want natural light.
Keyboards Put the keyboard directly in front of you.
Your shoulders should be relaxed and your elbows close to
your body.
Your wrists should be straight and in-line with your forearms.
You don’t want CTS.
Mouse Keep the pointer/mouse close to the keyboard.
Alternate hands with which you operate the pointer/mouse.
Use keyboard short cuts to reduce extended use.
Desk Desk surface should allow you to place the monitor directly in
front of you, at least 20 inches away.
Avoid storing items, such as a CPU, under desks.
Desks should be able to accommodate a variety of working
postures.
Chair The backrest should conform to the natural curvature of your
spine, and provide adequate lumbar support.
The seat should be comfortable and allow your feet to rest flat
on the floor or footrest.

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Armrests, if provided, should be soft, allow your shoulders to
relax and your elbows to stay close to your body.
The chair should have a five-leg base with casters that allow
easy movement along the floor.
3. Open up this web link below and write notes on the ergonomic
aspects of a working environment. You are to describe at least
THREE key guidelines for each criteria below.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/wkstation_enviro.html
Lighting Use blinds or drapes on windows to eliminate bright light.
Blinds and furniture placement should be adjusted to
allow light into the room, but not directly into your field of
view (Figure 1). Note: vertical blinds work best for
East/West facing windows and horizontal blinds for
North/South facing windows.
Use indirect or shielded lighting where possible and avoid
intense or uneven lighting in your field of vision. Ensure
that lamps have glare shields or shades to direct light
away from your line of sight.
Reorient the workstation so bright lights from open
windows are at right angles with the computer screen
Glare Place the face of the display screen at right angles to
windows and light sources. Position task lighting (for
example, a desk lamp) so the light does not reflect on the
screen (Figure 1).
Clean the monitor frequently. A layer of dust can
contribute to glare.
Use blinds or drapes on windows to help reduce glare
(Figure 1). Note: vertical blinds work best for East/West
facing windows and horizontal blinds for North/South
facing windows.
Use glare filters that attach directly to the surface of the
monitor to reduce glare (Figure 4). Glare filters, when
used, should not significantly decrease screen visibility.
Install louvers, or "egg crates", in overhead lights to re-
direct lighting.
Use barriers or light diffusers on fixtures to reduce glare
from overhead lighting.
Ventilation Do not place desks, chairs, and other office furniture
directly under air conditioning vents unless the vents are

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designed to redirect the air flow away from these
areas.
Use diffusers or blocks to redirect and mix air flows from
ventilation systems (Figure 6).
Keep air flow rates within three and six inches per second
(7.5 and 15 centimeters per second). These air flow rates
are barely noticeable or not noticeable at all.
4. Perform a short ergonomic assessment of your workspace at
home. Discuss your workstation setup, the environmental aspects
and all of the equipment. Rate your workspace on a scale of 1-10,
1- not ergonomic and 10- ergonomic. Explain your answer in
detail.
I think that it would be around a 7. I have a clean desk with a char that
has wheels. But sometimes I do my work on my bed and I lie down and
use to the computer. I prefer to be on my bed because it is really
comfortable.
5. Looking at this image below, describe the positive and negative
ergonomic aspects, with regards to the way this office is setup.
Explain your answer.
I think that it is not bad. The room is cluttered but the desk space is
good. The chair is a good chair. The bad thing about this room is that
there is mess everywhere. It is not near a window so you are getting no
natural light and if you are at college and and you have tons of work to
do and you don’t have any light you won’t get any vitamin c from the
sun.

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