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1 Ergonomic Terms (OOS, RSI) 2
1.1 OOS: Occupational Overuse Syndrome 2
1.2 RSI: Repetitive Strain Injury 2
2 The ergonomic environment of Lecture rooms
and computer laboratories. 2
2.1 LT200 (Lecture Theatre) 2
2.2 Room 5C15 (Computer lab) 2
3 Recommended ergonomic features/ work
practices which are not evident in the rooms 4
3.1 LT200 (lecture theatre) 4
3.2 Room 5Cxx 4
3.3 Reasons for specific equipment and ergonomic practices while working
in a computer environment. 4
4 Major points of NZ legislation 5
This can be best described as discomfort and/ or pain in the muscles and other tissues in the body, which can be caused by continuous and repetitive strain on these muscles. The victim of this is usually unable to work and may never be able to fully recover.
This is the term that can be used more broadly than OOS, as it applies not only to occupation injuries but also to recreational injuries, such as repetitive calf muscle strain on a tennis player. It has four major contributors that cause it.
What are the Symptoms?
· Tightness, discomfort, stiffness, soreness or burning in the hands, wrists, fingers, forearms, or elbows
· Tingling, coldness, or numbness in the hands
· Clumsiness or loss of strength and co-ordination in the hands
· Pain that wakes you up at night
· Feeling a need to massage your hands, wrists, and arms
Current features of this room that are ergonomically sound (generally safe environment).
· Sloping room: this is essential in a big lecture room, so students don’t have to arch their bodies in peculiar ways to view the lecturer or white board.
· Tables angled: prevents students from having to lean over to “jot” down notes and then continuously looking up a long way, while listening to lectures. Also, these are high enough to prevent muscular pain near the wrist joints.
· Cushioned Seats: spread out weight and position on chair and the seat backing provides good back support.
· General Layout: seating is angled towards the front centre of the room, meaning students don’t have to tilt their heads side to side avoiding neck pain. Lecturer doesn’t have to walk back and forward, to try and reach everyone’s view.
Current features that make this room ergonomically sound for students and lecturers.
· OOS notices: These are present in the room near the door (exit) so all students can see them.
· Adjustable Workstations: Seats are adequately adjustable in height so the user can be at eye level with the Visual Display Unit (VDU or monitor). Parts of the desk, which are adjustable, have the mouse and keyboard (user devices) on them. This enables students to move them closer or further away from them for a straighter position. The Visual Display Unit is adjustable by tilting up or down for more comfortable viewing.
· General layout: The layout of the room is acceptable, with mobile chairs, that are 360 degree rotational so the user (students) can participate in class discussions without having to twist their heads and spine awkwardly. The workstations are facing the whiteboard, where the tutor can be seen easily by all students.
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Features that could be a possibility in improving the ergonomic environment for students and lecturers.
· OOS notices: Should be present in room, as a guideline for students. These would encourage students to follow safe ergonomic guidelines, including seated and writing posture.
· Reminders: These would be placed at the end of each seating row so they can be easily noticed. Justification of this is because it easy for students to lean in awkward positions while attending lectures, such as leaning over to take notes.
· Chairs: The chairs could be more adjustable, especially vertically creating the ultimate comfort and ergonomic environment for students.
Recommendations
· Workstation preparation: Students can be assigned a couple of minutes, by the tutor to adjust their workstations accordingly.
· Monitor Adjustability: The monitors vertical movement is non-existent, if these were able to be elevated up and down in some way the ergonomics of the workstation would be vastly improved. I would recommend the actual computer (box)at each workstation being placed under the desks so monitors can be placed on an adjustable stand of some sort.
· Ergonomic Reminders: At each workstation for students to follow. These would be basic guidelines for correct posture, including a small diagram to compliment. An example of one such guideline would be:
“Remember to adjust your workstation so your eye level is horizontally in line with the Monitor (VDU) and give your eyes a rest every 10 minutes” [see fig 1-3]
· Typing Software: This is currently in use by some companies and calculates the amount of data entered in a particular session. Students and Tutors can evaluate the results, to get an idea of amount of time spent actually typing.
Ergonomic Practices in computer environments are specific because a lot of the time is spent seated and facing a VDU (monitor). Also important is the fact that the keyboard use can be continuous and repetitive for a number of hours. The user often has to move around while seated, usually to view and edit printed documents or drafts, and from a students perspective to look up to the front of the classroom.
· The Health & Safety Act: It states:
“All employers must take all practicable steps to ensure a safe working environment for all employees”
· Department of Labour: OSH (Occupational Safety and Health)…
“OSH branches off the health and safety act, and they enforce the act’s rules and offer guidelines for employers, which must be adhered to”
VORO, KAGEYU/LUEDER, RANI(Ed) (1994) Hard facts about soft machines –The Ergonomics
of seating. First Edition, Taylor & Francis, LTD.
Markhausen, P (1996) Computer related repetitive strain injury. (WWW documentation)
URL http://www.engr.unl.edu/ee/eeshop/rsi.html
Wright, S (1999) Ergonomics Resource Home Page. (WWW documentation)
URL http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1129/
Dr Andre, A.D (1999) Ergoworld website (WWW documentation)
URL http://www.interface-analysis.com/ergoworld