Combating computing hazards

Home Office Computing, Dec, 1990 by Liza Schafer

Your profession may not be as safe as you think. Just ask Dr. Linda Morse, chief of occupational medicine at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in California, and an expert in ergonomics. Each year she treats thousands of patients with computer-related injuries.

What causes the injuries? Work that demands hours of keyboarding, which can often lead to back, neck, arm, hand, and wrist pain--a syndrome called repetitive strain injury (RSI). Traditionally associated with the rigor and repetition of factory work, RSI is becoming more and more prevalent in the office. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RSIs accounted for nearly half of all 1988 occupational illnesses in private industry. That's close to triple the percentage reported in 1981. "If you drive a car exclusively in first gear, then first gear is going to wear out--the same is true for the body," says Vern Anderson of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Too much computing puts excessive strain on the arms, hands, and wrists, leading to health problems like tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

If you're thinking that such conditions add up to little more than sporadic discomfort, then bear in mind that, if left untreated, RSI can keep you out of work for weeks or months and can require extensive physical therapy and even surgery. "Having RSI for a period of six months or more can cause permanent scarring of the tendons," warns Morse. For that reason, she advises people who are experiencing persistent pain of the back, neck, arms, hands, or wrists during or after keyboarding to see a doctor. If the case is minor, hot or cold compresses applied to the affected areas will help relieve the throbbing. But that's the equivalent of putting a bandage on a boxer and sending him back into the ring. Why? A poorly designed workstation is a factor contributing to RSI.

For those not financially equipped to buy a whole new ergonomically correct workstation, Morse has some suggestions. If your keyboard is too high (so that your arms are elevated and elbows are not at the ideal 90 degree angle), place it in your middle desk drawer or invest $50 for a keyboard support, which clamps onto the side of your desk. If your monitor is too low (causing you to constantly lean your head forward), put a telephone book under it. Select a chair that has good back support and be sure to keep both feet firmly planted on the ground. If you're short, use a footstool.

The easiest way to combat RSI, however, is to stop keyboarding every hour for a minute or two. "Stand up, stretch, move the hands and shoulders, and let the blood flow," says Morse.