Working at Your Computer

Incorrect posture while working at the computer can lead to:

• Body Pain

Factors that contribute to good posture:

Preventing Computer Injury

Body awareness

A good computer workstation

What are the benefits of having a correct posture?

Working professionals who spend a long number of hours working on the computer or those who need to stand for a long period of time at work, are often susceptible to back and neck problems. Therefore, having a correct posture can help to reduce any back or neck related health problems.

A correct posture also helps to keep you fit and fine! This reduces the fatigue you may feel when you are at work.

When you take infrequent breaks at work, you are bound to make yourself more vulnerable to back problems. Sitting in an incorrect position for long hours can be harmful for your spine as it gets fixed in that particular incorrect position. This leads to constricted blood vessels and joints. This can further trigger headaches, which will eventually cause you to pop the pill. Correct postures eliminate all such problems.

If you maintain a correct posture during the day, you can get rid of all the pains in your body, which keep recurring faithfully otherwise! A correct posture also means that you do not have additional pressure on other parts of your body.

Ergonomics in the workplace

Ergonomics is the science that shapes jobs, equipment or work places in such a way as to make it more worker-friendly.

Ergonomics is derived from the Greek words ‘ergon’ (work) and nomos (law). Ergonomics or Human Factors or Human Engineering is a field that explores ways to understand and improve human capabilities in their interaction with machines and the environment. The aim of ergonomics is to design machines, appliances, work systems and tasks in such a way that they guarantee human safety, comfort and health and improve work performance.

Human beings are the focus of ergonomics. The field of study tries to eliminate unhealthy, unsafe, uncomfortable or debilitating situations at work or in everyday life with findings based on the physical, psychological abilities and limitations of human beings.

The two goals of good posture are balance and ease of movement.

Back is upright but not tense.

It is important to sit up straight. Working with one shoulder pushed forward can lead to muscle strain in the shoulder and neck.

If a desk is placed too high for keyboard or mouse use, it can

strain the muscles and tendons.

To help reduce injuries, your keyboard should be raised in the front or flat on your desk. Your

wrists should be straight.

If your chair is too low you will feel pressure on your tailbone. This could cause back and neck pain.

To alleviate eyestrain, your computer should be about one arm’s

length from your eyes. Also, it is important to have a well-lit work

area.

Keeping your computer screen clean helps to reduce glare.