Unit 4 What is ergonomics? Is it the study of work conditions?
The computer seems harmless enough but not for the people who sit in front of computers all day long. They wonder: Are computer users getting bad radiation? What about eyestrain, the age-old back problem, the risk of miscarriage etc.?
A lot is done today for limiting radiation from computers. Manufacturers, for instance, offer screens with build-in protection now. But meanwhile, there are a number of things workers can do to take care of themselves. A good place to begin with is an ergonomically designed workstation.
Ergonomics is the study of how people interact safely and efficiently with machines and their work conditions. In general, ergonomics is a science concerned with the ‘fit’ between people and their work. It takes account of the worker's capabilities and limitations in seeking to ensure that tasks, equipment, information and the environment suit each worker.
The term "ergonomics" is derived from two Greek words: "ergon," meaning work, and "nomoi," meaning natural laws.
To assess the fit between a person and their work, ergonomists consider the job being done and the demands on the worker; the equipment used (its size, shape, and how appropriate it is for the task), and the information used (how it is presented, accessed, and changed). Ergonomics draws on many disciplines in its study of humans and their environments, including anthropometry, biomechanics, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, industrial design, kinesiology, physiology and psychology.
There are five aspects of ergonomics: safety, comfort, ease of use, productivity/performance, and aesthetics.
A properly designed workstation takes a variety of factors into account, such as the distance from the eyes to the screen and the angle of the arms and wrists. There is a list of some guidelines for making your workstation more ergonomic:
Turn the screen away from the window to reduce glare.
Put your monitor on a tilt-and-swivel base.
Get a good chair, one that supports your lower back and is adjustable, so you can change its height and angle.
Position the keyboard at the same height as your elbows, with your arms parallel to the work surface.
Do not bend your wrist when you type.
You should place your mouse within easy reach. It supports your forearm.
Position the monitor at, or just below eye level. You should look at the monitor, not up.
You should sit at the arms length from the front of the monitor, about 50 to 70 centimeters away.
Sit with your feet firmly on the floor or on the footrest.
You shouldn’t use a monitor that’s fuzzy or distorts the image.
Keep the screen clean to prevent distorting shadows.
Use LCD screens instead of CRT monitors. They are free from radiation.
Exercise at your desk occasionally rotating your wrist, rolling tour shoulders and stretching. Don’t stare at the screen for long periods of time, look away from the monitor. Better yet, get up and walk around at regular intervals.
Don’t open the monitor. It is dangerous. And if you decide to build your own PC, protect yourself from electric shocks. You shouldn’t touch any components unnecessarily.