Thursday, November 13, 2014

Important! Ergonomics basic safety tips and suggestions

Lately, I’ve been more conscious of my own understanding of ergonomics. That’s why now you see me using the standing desk in my office. The ergonomic use of my laptop at work has brought great benefits as I adopt healthy habits like correct posture, regular breaks and a proper adjustment of equipment.


This is me adjusting my table for typing.



Here, I just used a basket that I had in my office to accommodate the height of the laptop for browsing and watching videos.

I understand this is not the ideal position for my head, but because I am using a laptop and I want to be able to type properly, I can't place it too high for a better sight angle. I'll have to live with this until I either get another keyboard, a higher basket, or a proper desktop. Or, as a friend of mine (Mr. BT) said, get a shorter trunk and neck! LOL.

Ergonomics basic safety tips and suggestions can help prevent or live occupational work, classroom or home stresses or disorders such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Back / Neck Pain or vision care when using laptop devices.

I want to share a video that will probably make you reflect on how not only you but your students use computers in the classroom as well as home.




Here are some reasons why I have chosen to stand:

Standing is like walking: It increases energy, burns extra calories, tones muscles, improves posture, increases blood flow and ramps up metabolism. Now, I am also realistic. Standing all day may not be healthy or practical as we naturally want to sit at times to rest or when intensely concentrating. I guess what I am trying to do is just find a balance between sitting and standing during my day.

Here's some additional information from this great YouTube video created for Vodafone.

Laptop Use while Traveling on Planes, Trains and in Hotels:
http://youtu.be/xUzi9k9d0EI

Follow these basic Laptop safety tips to improve your experience:

√ If you use your laptop on the couch :
• Make more frequent breaks because it is the best posture for the back.
• Try to have your back straight and supported on a cushion.

√ To relieve muscle tension in the neck :
• Use a chair that allows you to have your back straight at 90 degrees
thighs.
• Relax your neck and keep it aligned with your back.
• Place the top of the screen at eye level.

√ To relieve muscle tension in arms :
• Use a separate keyboard and mouse.
• Keep arms and forearms at 90 degrees.

√ To relieve stress at the hearing :
• Target your job so you are not reflections or glare.
• Blink frequently to keep the eyes hydrated.

√ Children / Kids use of laptop / computers at home :
• Try to have your back straight and supported on a cushion.
• Try to us a cushion to have the screen at eye level.
• Use a separate keyboard and mouse.
• In some cases, use a box as a foot rest.
• Limit time of computer use each day to 30 minutes.
• Ensure your child spends more time exercising then computer time.

SUMMARY OF HEALTHY LAPTOP AND COMPUTER ERGONOMICS
by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration:

• Modifications to Existing Furniture
• Attention to Ergonomics
• Frequent Movement
• Frequent Breaks
• Varied Seating
• Body Posture
• Stretching

Leads to a healthy laptop work place, classroom or home healthy habits

7 COMPONENTS TO HEALTHY COMPUTING

• Fitness
• Work Style
• Vision Care
• Ergonomics
• Regeneration
• Somatic Awareness
• Stress Management

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