ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 17, 1997 TAG: 9704170035
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: COMPUTER BITS
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
Today we go ergonomic, and that doesn't mean we kick the boss. Spring's a good time to evaluate your health at the computer for at least two reasons: Workers should always be cautious about conditions or habits that can cause injuries, and this time of year, most of us are about to engage in some activities - gardening and fun outdoors events - that we might not have done in a while.
Home improvement projects or hobbies that require repetitive motion can lead to injuries as easily as working at a computer can, according to Dr. David Rempel, assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
Rempel, faculty member in the Division of Occupational Medicine, suggests that a person should treat a new task as if preparing for a race, gradually building strength and endurance. Don't jump right in, notes his information on the university's web page.
Rempel, who is studying musculoskeletal disorders associated with keyboard and computer mouse usage, also has advice for healthy working outside the home - at the office, that is.
It's in the form of a questionnaire, which is presented here in part.
Accessory arrangements
Is your mouse (trackball, digitizing tablet) at the same level as your keyboard?
Do you have enough room on your work surface for all your computer accessories?
Are your most frequently used items (phone, manuals, etc.) easy to reach?
Do you have an adjustable document holder for prolonged computer use?
Do you have a wrist rest?
If a large percentage of your time involves using a phone, do you use a headset?
Work habits
Do you take short breaks every 20 to 40 minutes?
Do you frequently change body positions while working?
Do you give your eyes a break every half-hour?
Office stress also can contribute to pain at the computer, Rempel advises. Working overtime and deadline stress can force people to ignore their pain and discomfort. Pain that goes away overnight is usually a sign of fatigue; pain that continues is more serious and should be attended to immediately.
Check out Cajun
Every now and then you just have to try something silly on the Internet, and here's a good search to play with: Pick a date and search for it and the word "history." Example: April 15 and History brought up some really neat sites, including one that offers a Cajun newsletter and information about Cajun habits, history and reunions.
Try out your birth date and see what you get, but do check out the Cajun spot.
WEBSITES GRAPHIC WITH COMPUTER BITS COLUMN
Ergonomics at Berkely
http://www.me.berkeley.edu/ergo/
Human modeling system
http://www.usernomics.com
Center for Workplace Health
http://ctdnews.com
Cajuns
http://www.noconnect.com/forms/cajunews.htm/
You can contribute to this column or just comment by e-mail to sandrakxc2roanoke.com or by calling 981-3393 in the Roanoke Valley, or (800) 346-1234, extension 393, outside the Roanoke area. Previous Computer Bits columns can be found on line at http://www.roanoke.com
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB