Question

essay on problems associated with computers at work and in the workplace. 5pages

Answer 1

Computers have transformed the workplace and society as a whole. People and organizations have become dependent on computers to connect them to co-workers, vendors, customers and information.

Learning new computer skills and programs can put stress on workers, especially older or less-educated workers. In addition to this, employees are constantly connected to co-workers, clients, vendors and business networks throughout the workday. Because interactions can happen instantaneously, often with a desire for instant responses, this can cause additional stress in the workplace.

there is an increased rate of heart-related disease in computer-based offices due to the intense pressure of having work constantly monitored via computer.

Due to the prevalence of computers in the workplace, email is now a common mode of professional communication. This has caused a plethora of miscommunication issues. Many employees lack comprehensive writing skills and can therefore struggle with successfully communicating messages. Yet, even the most-skilled writer can still have trouble with conveying tone in electronic messages.

Back and neck pain, headaches, and shoulder and arm pain are common computer-related injuries. Such muscle and joint problems can be caused or made worse by poor workstation (desk) design, bad posture and sitting for long periods of time.

Although sitting requires less muscular effort than standing, it still causes physical fatigue (tiredness) and you need to hold parts of your body steady for long periods of time. This reduces circulation of blood to your muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, sometimes leading to stiffness and pain. If a workstation is not set up properly, these steady positions can put even greater stress on your muscles and joints.

The computer is a vital tool in many different jobs and activities, for adults and children. But long periods of using a computer can increase your chance of developing an injury. Inappropriate computer use can cause muscle and joint pain, overuse injuries of the shoulder, arm, wrist or hand, and eyestrain.

Muscles and tendons can become painful with repetitive movements and awkward postures. This is known as ‘overuse injury’ and typically occurs in the elbow, wrist or hand of computer users. Symptoms of these overuse injuries include pain, swelling, stiffness of the joints, weakness and numbness.

Tips to avoid overuse injuries of the hand or arm include:

· Have your mouse at the same height as your correctly positioned keyboard.

· Position the mouse as close as possible to the side of the keyboard.

· Use your whole arm, not just your wrist, when using the mouse.

· Type lightly and gently.

· Mix your tasks to avoid long, uninterrupted stretches of using the computer.

· Remove your hands from the keyboard when not actively typing, to let your arms

Visual and ocular problems are most frequently reported by computer workers. Ocular complaints include eye discomfort, eyestrain, burning, itching, irritation, and aching. Other less frequently mentioned visual symptoms include blurred vision, double vision, color fringes, and reported deterioration of visual acuity. In addition, many workers indicate the occurrence of headaches.

The rate of visual complaints is dependent upon the type of computer work (data input, data output, and dialogue) and the particular visual demands associated with the work and the work environment. Many studies indicate that computer workers suffer from a high rate of visual disturbances. Data suggests that some types of computer work produce greater levels of visual complaints than traditional office or visually demanding inside work.

Postural or musculoskeletal problems are common to many sedentary jobs. Operator complaints are most often related to the neck, shoulders, back, and wrists. Complaints mentioned less often involve the arms, hands, and legs. Researchers indicate musculoskeletal symptoms are more frequently reported by computer operators than workers in traditional jobs.

Job stress as reported by computer workers is often described in terms of psychological and physical strains such as frustration, anxiety, irritability, anger, depression, stomach or gastro-intestinal disturbances, and muscle and psychological tension.

Focusing your eyes at the same distance point for long periods of time causes fatigue. The human eye structurally prefers to look at objects more than six metres away, so any work performed close up puts extra demands on your eye muscles.

The illuminated computer screen can also cause eye fatigue. Although there is no evidence that eye fatigue damages your eyesight, computer users may get symptoms such as blurred vision, temporary inability to focus on faraway objects and headaches.

Preventing eyestrain from computer use

Tips to avoid eyestrain include:

· Make sure your main source of light (such as a window) is not shining into your face or directly onto the computer screen.

· Tilt the screen slightly to avoid reflections or glare.

· Make sure the screen is not too close to your face.

· Put the screen either at eye level or slightly lower.

· Reduce the contrast and brightness of your screen by adjusting the controls.

· Frequently look away from the screen and focus on faraway objects.

· Have regular eye examinations to check that any blurring, headaches and other associated problems are not caused by any underlying disorders.

Where there is a nexus between an employer and inappropriate content posted online by an employee, such conduct may provide a basis for employee discipline up to and including termination of employment. A number of recent cases demonstrate that terminating with just cause is possible, particularly when the post is harmful or potentially harmful to the employer.

Back and neck pain, headaches, and shoulder and arm pain are common computer-related injuries. Such muscle and joint problems can be caused or made worse by poor workstation (desk) design, bad posture and sitting for long periods of time.
Although sitting requires less muscular effort than standing, it still causes physical fatigue (tiredness) and you need to hold parts of your body steady for long periods of time. This reduces circulation of blood to your muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments, sometimes leading to stiffness and pain. If a workstation is not set up properly, these steady positions can put even greater stress on your muscles and joints.

Tips to avoid muscle and joint problems include:

· Sit at an adjustable desk specially designed for use with computers.

· Have the computer monitor (screen) either at eye level or slightly lower.

· Have your keyboard at a height that lets your elbows rest comfortably at your sides. Your forearms should be roughly parallel with the floor and level with the keyboard.

· Adjust your chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor, or use a footstool.

· Use an ergonomic chair, specially designed to help your spine hold its natural curve while sitting.

· Use an ergonomic keyboard so that your hands and wrists are in a more natural position.

· Take frequent short breaks and go for a walk, or do stretching exercises at your desk. Stand often

• You may notice pain in your neck, shoulders, or really anywhere from the shoulders to your fingers related to repetitive muscle use.
• Using the computer may cause you to use your muscles in an odd way that may cause increased stiffness, pain, or swelling in any of those areas.
• One of the most common conditions related to repetitive use of your muscles when using the computer is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tips to Consider

• Place your mouse at a location next to the keyboard that will require you to move your whole arm to get to it rather that just twisting your wrist outward to reach it and move it.
• Type gentle to decrease the stress put on each of your fingers.
• Keep your wrists flexible when typing; avoid keeping them fixed in a certain position; keeping them flexible will avoid repetitive, strenuous stress.
• Relax your arms and try to get a few stretches in when you are not typing or using your mouse

Headaches

• Headaches are common and may occur because of the increased muscle tension or from pain in the neck.
• Any vision problems, or continued strain on the eyes can also cause headaches.

Tips to Consider

• Attend regular eye exams in order to work toward correcting any vision problems.
• Try your best to keep your neck straight in front of the computer and take breaks.

5. Obesity

• Prolonged use of computers may lead to an overall sedentary lifestyle that lacks adequate physical activity and/or exercise.
• In children prolonged use of computers, or electronics in general, is a major contributing factor to obesity.

Tips to Consider

• Set limits for your children when they are using electronics.
• Encourage outdoor play or a certain hobby that may take away time spent using electronics in order to lead a more active lifestyle.
• As for adults, if your occupation requires computer use for up to 8 hours daily, you should not use a computer again when you get home…you should take a break and try to squeeze in some exercise until you go back to work.

Because of increased muscle tension or pain in the neck at the base of the skull, headache is common problem with computer use. Many a times, prolonged use can affect eye power which needs vision correction. This can also result in headache.

Practical tips

· Get your eye power tested if headache is a common problem with computer use.

Keep your neck straight when in front of the computer. Constantly looking down or stretching the neck sideways can also cause pain. Take breaks in between and circle your neck a bit to release the strain.

Technology has a huge impact on our behaviour and emotions. Prolonged computer use along with other factors like poor health, work pressure and job environment can make you susceptible to stress. Moreover, the longer you uphold the stress, the more susceptible you become to other health issues mentioned above. It can also lead to loss of concentration, dizziness and weariness. Be proactive and take necessary measures to beat stress before it affects your health.

Pain in the neck, shoulder, or anywhere from the shoulder to fingers may indicate repetitive stress injury. When you use your muscles in an awkward position, you may experience stiffness, pain or swelling in that area. For example, twisting the wrist to use the mouse or specific typing technique that causes stretching of fingers or pressure on the wrist can turn really painful.

• Artificial lighting that is given off from computer screens can actually trick your brain and suppress its release of melatonin – the substance that assists your sleeping patterns.

Tips to Consider

• Refrain from using a computer right before going to bed.
• Resort to reading a book or something to that degree prior to going to bed, so falling asleep may come more easily for you.