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SAFETY IN THE COMPUTER LAB. Ms. Birdwell Technology Instructor. Kids spend an average of 1 – 3 hours a day on the computer!. Did you know????. Did you know????. According to the 2000 U.S. Census – 51% of household have computers in the home!.
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SAFETY IN THE COMPUTER LAB Ms. Birdwell Technology Instructor
Kids spend an average of 1 – 3 hours a day on the computer! Did you know????
Did you know???? • According to the 2000 U.S. Census – 51% of household have computers in the home!
That was 8 years ago – what do you think that number is now?
Because of our increased computer usage – it is important to understand that medical problems can result from using the computer incorrectly.
There are three main medical conditions that can occur from improper computer usage. • Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) • Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) • Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD)
What is Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)? • CVS is a group of eye and vision problems that are a result of prolonged use on a computer.
What causes CVS? • Poor lighting • Glare on computer screen • Improper viewing distances • Poor seating posture • A combination of all the above
What are the symptoms of CVS? • Eyestrain • Headaches • Blurry Vision • Dry Eyes • Neck and shoulder pain
Good News! • Most CVS symptoms are only temporary and will go away after stopping computer use.
What is Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)? • RSI is a syndrome that affects muscles, tendons, and nerves in the hands, arms, and upper back.
What causes RSI? • RSI is caused when the these areas are kept tense for very long periods of time, due to poor posture and/or repetitive motions.
What are the main types of RSI? • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome • Tendinitis
What are the warning signs of RSI? • Pain or soreness in the neck, shoulders, upper back, hands, or wrists. • Tingling, numbness, coldness or loss of sensation. • Loss of grip strength.
Treatment for RSI • Treatment usually requires significant changes to work habits and therapy treatment.
What is Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD)? • MSD’s affect the body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.
What causes MSD? • MDS’s take a long time to develop and are caused by the type of work or the work environment.
What are the signs of MSD? • Signs are usually minor aches and pains.
Treatment for MSD • See a doctor for the appropriate treatment
How can I protect myself? • Good posture – keep feet flat on the floor, upper back should be naturally rounded, shoulder and arms relaxed at your side
How can I protect myself? • Monitor – centered in front of you – eyes should be level about 20% from top of screen. • Keyboard – positioned so you can reach the keys with elbows at your side. • Mouse – at one side without having to reach or hunch.
How can I protect myself? • Use proper typing technique • Keep your wrists straight • Let your hands float • Don’t strain your fingers
References • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repetitive_strain_injury • http://www.stat.rice.edu/~cscott/rsi.html • http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/p23-207.pdf