Most jobs these days, especially those done by women, use some kind of computer. Computers are now in office work, retail and service jobs, accounting work, graphic design, data processing and on many assembly lines. Portable computers also are more common “on the road” or at an office.
The most common hazards are visual problems, soft tissue injuries, and stress.
Visual problems
Eye symptoms related to computer use include:
Eye muscles get tired if you stare on a computer screen for a while. If your monitor is near a window, your eyes will get tired trying to adjust to the difference between brighter outside light levels and the monitor's glow.
Computer work slows down the blinking rate, so eyes can dry out. Glare, light levels and screen colours and contrast also are important. Bifocal and progressive lenses may not let you see the screen without straining eyes or neck and shoulder muscles, which can lead also to soft tissue injuries.
Soft tissue injuries
Most jobs these days, especially those done by women, use some kind of computer. Computers are now in office work, retail and service jobs, accounting work, graphic design, data processing and on many assembly lines. Portable computers also are more common “on the road” or at an office.
The most common hazards are visual problems, soft tissue injuries, and stress.
Visual problems
Eye symptoms related to computer use include:
Eye muscles get tired if you stare on a computer screen for a while. If your monitor is near a window, your eyes will get tired trying to adjust to the difference between brighter outside light levels and the monitor's glow.
Computer work slows down the blinking rate, so eyes can dry out. Glare, light levels and screen colours and contrast also are important. Bifocal and progressive lenses may not let you see the screen without straining eyes or neck and shoulder muscles, which can lead also to soft tissue injuries.
Soft tissue injuries
Some of the most common injuries linked to computer work show up in the wrist, arm, shoulders, neck, back and/or legs. Also known as repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), they are the result of badly designed and/or organized work, such as:
Too often, computers are put on a regular desk, with no planning. Laptops cause more problems since they can be put anywhere and their keyboards cannot be detached from the screen.
These factors combine to force women into cramped working spaces using awkward or static (staying still) postures, doing repetitive work, without proper breaks, in stressful conditions.
Stress
It's stressful to be tied to a computer all day. Lack of control, high workload demands (mental and physical) and little support are key workplace stressors. Women may also face stresses related to hours of work, juggling family, work and other responsibilities, harassment/violence, pay levels and even being monitored (watched) electronically by the employer.
Stressors cause mental, physical and behavioural symptoms that may become long-term problems.
Legally, employers must provide healthy and safe work spaces for all employees. Employers are in the best position to make necessary changes to prevent injuries. But sometimes individual workers and/or their unions must argue for changes.
For the rising number of women who are self-employed, the responsibility rests on the women themselves to ensure their workspace is set up to avoid work-related injuries.
To prevent computer-related problems, consider both your computer workstation and its surroundings.
For your workstation, you need:
In your workplace in general, you need:
If you already have a computer, ask yourself:
It's also good to:
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