In a 2002 study of 60 people working at a Sydney call centre, it was found that although only two or three people officially reported OOS, up to 70 per cent claimed to have aches and pains.
After instruction about posture, the number experiencing pain fell markedly.
Australian OOS guidelines for workplace posture and computer use are adequate, but they often do not incorporate the latest best-practice procedures.
"For example, everyone is taught to sit at a 90-degree posture, but over the years studies have shown that no-one actually does this consistently. And there is a tendency to raise computer monitors, but recent research shows a lower position is better as people have a natural tendency to look down."
The best working posture differs for everyone, but there are practical suggestions, such as not elevating shoulders and keeping wrists straight; being able to touch-type helps to avoid neck pain from looking at the keyboard.
The biggest problem with mouse use is that it is pushed away from the centre of the body. It should be as close to the body and the keyboard as possible. Monitors should be at arm's length, free from reflection and glare, and people who wear bifocals should be careful not to tilt their head back to see the screen. Mini Keyboards and keyboards with the numeric keypad on the right are a good solution for this.
Many people do not know how to adjust chairs: "Your knees should be at right angles so your feet are firmly on the floor, with no compression at the back of the leg. Your spine should be slightly tilted back so that there is less pressure on the discs." ..More
The injuries most likely to affect Victorian workers will be the target of a major new campaign unveiled today by the Minister for WorkCover, Mr Bob Cameron. Mr Cameron said the focus of the campaign - work-related, muscle and soft tissue injuries - accounted for more than 60 per cent of work place injuries and cost the community up to half a billion dollars each year.
The new campaign is under the banner of "WorkSafe" - a brand created by WorkCover to encourage both employers and workers to adopt safer work practices to reduce workplace hazards, incidents and injuries......
WorkCover Chief Executive, Mr Bill Mountford, said soft tissue and muscle injuries - or 'sprains and strains' - accounted for 62% of all WorkCover claims, with back injuries accounting for almost half of these.
"Each year for the past five years, we've seen between 17,000 and 18,000 Victorian's injured at work via a sprain, strain or back injury," Mr Mountford said.
"While many Victorians mistakenly believe that muscular and soft tissue injuries are not serious, anyone who has suffered from chronic back pain or an injury of this kind knows just how debilitating the injury and recovery period can be.
"The impact on a person's quality of life and that of their family can often be as devastating as the injury itself."....
"So much can be achieved when a company works in partnership with its employees, listens to the issues they raise and implements collaborative solutions," he said....
"WorkSafe reflects this approach and puts the emphasis on prevention."
Source - Workcover Vic
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Computer Injury Prevention
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