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Ergonomics and ICT
Ing. Roberto Tedesco
AA 2014-2015
Politecnico di Milano
From:
NCTE Advice Sheet – Ergonomics, Health
and Safety
http://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie
What is Ergonomics?
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The study of how working conditions, machines and
equipment can be arranged in order that people can work
with them more efficiently
Health problems:
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Repeated strain injuries (RSI): recurrent large or small
movements that affect joints, muscles, tendons, and nerve
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Diseases caused by unnatural postures and forces: people use
their bodies in ways that induce physical stress
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E.g.: swollen wrists and backache
E.g.: the carpal tunnel syndrome results from pressure on the median nerve
in the wrist
Eye strain: struggling to read computer monitors may cause
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E.g.: eye pain or redness, blurred or double vision, and headaches
What to do
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Positioning of the person and equipment
Arranging a safe environment
Taking regular breaks
www.ergonomics-info.com/posture-at-a-computer.html
www.blendspace.com/lessons/jfIFn9MtEnW7IA/health-safety-in-the-ict-environment
Positioning: desktop
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Sit up straight rather than slouch forward
Use supports: foot rests, wrist rests and adjustable chairs
Adjust equipment to the correct height, distance and angle
www.blendspace.com/lessons/jfIFn9MtEnW7IA/health-safety-in-the-ict-environment
Positioning: laptop (bad)
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www.blendspace.com/lessons/jfIFn9MtEnW7IA/health-safety-in-the-ict-environment
Positioning: laptop (good)
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Positioning: Touchscreen-specific
issues
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Tablets and e-readers
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Issues:
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Function vertically, horizontally, and anywhere in between
Horizontal use is typically less stressful
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Extended neck: users tend to bend the neck during typing, this
can have serious health consequences
Lack of back support: tablets encourage users to lean forward,
especially during typing à users do not use backrests and the
weight of their trunk is not properly supported
Lack of elbow support: when seating on chairs with armrests,
users tend to ignore arm support: they keep elbows in the air and
shoulders raised à discomfort in shoulders and wrists on which
the weight of an arm is resting
Wrist angle during typing: flexed, extended, and deviated
Positioning: Touchscreen-specific
issues
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Touchscreens positioned upright
More problematic
Issues:
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Force to use the large muscles in shoulder and arms
Require to reach forward and lift arm against gravity,
which tires muscles rapidly
Dorsiflexion: a posture that
puts more pressure on the
median nerve and the other
structures in the carpal
tunnel in the wrist
Arranging a safe environment
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Arranging a safe environment
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http://rjcooper.com/tablet-headpointer/
Ergonomics and disability
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Bad postures:
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Induced by assistive devices
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Induced by the disability
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E.g.: motor disabilities
Low physical strength
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Especially for arms,
shoulder, neck, and back
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E.g.: head wands
and mouth sticks
Think of vertical touch
screens…
References
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ergonomics.org
www.humanics-es.com/recc-disabled.htm
www.ergonomics.org.uk/standards/
www.infoworld.com/article/2618327/laptop-computers/thehidden-danger-of-touchscreens.html
K. M. Stawarz. An ergonomic evaluation of the potential
impact of touch-screen tablets on office workers.