Title: Computer health and safety
Author: Lasa Information Systems Team
Publisher: Lasa Knowledgebase
URL: http://ictknowledgebase.org.uk/healthandsafety
ABSTRACT
In the United Kingdom (UK), legislation has been positioned to respond to the growing need of computer usage and its effects to users' health, focusing on computer users in the workplace. Problems related to computer usage like eye strain, continual and recurring discomfort, numbness and stiffness can pose long-term health risks. Preventive measures that should be put in practice by employers include the provision of a healthy, safe and non-straining workplace, properly and suitably positioned furniture and materials necessary for work processes and, medical assistance for prevention and treatment of work related health risks.
What I learned
We all know how technology has brought a lot of things and how it made almost everything possible. In the past we used to just use mechanical type writers and photocopiers. Now we can have it all done just conveniently in front of the computer. Workplaces benefited enormously from the emergence of computers. Work processes in, if not all, almost all industries have evolved in almost all levels. Rather than going through the usual 15 minute walk to the library for the printed book you are looking for, you can retrieve your reading list via your online class community, then download it to your tablet's drive then read it as you enjoy lunch. We chat with our friends over web based social networking sites instead of running down the stairs and reaching for your land line. We do not even need to stand in line at the grocery because we can have them ordered via the internet, then delivered right at our doorstep.
We learned how to make use of technology to our advantage. In the event, we got immersed into it and, one good thing, we realized how the best of it has a price. Employing such media as the internet and the internet evolving into a repository of the different facets of life as it is, has increased our exposure to computers and devices with display monitors. If books in the library gave some people paper cuts, that flat screen LCD monitor though which you proofread the articles you write for your boss can cause eye strain and can even chronic back pain. New life processes: new complications. With the evolving media by which we stay connected to our family, at work, in school, etc., it is recognizable that the regulations governing work processes in consideration of employees' and users' welfare should be adapted and enforced.
In 1993, a law was passed in UK providing regulations on health and safety when using computers in the workplace. It suggested ways on how to suitably respond to the physiological effects of increased computer usage, which is currently growing more in more. The law had placed the much needed attention to computer users health and other health risks posed by technology. This can serve as a benchmark of user protection and security policies in private companies and in libraries as well. As an employer, customizing a policy in response to the growing needs of your employees with regard to prevention of computer or technology related health risks would not only ensure the continuity of production but also the trust and security of of your constituents. In the library setting, making user that users get "breaks" from computer usage would help establish trust and rapport between information professionals/librarians and users. A written policy visible to the users of your library or information center about computer usage, its effects on health and measures that address the said effects will help build security and a sense of community among users, with a common feeling of being taken cared of using information.
There are also local efforts that recommends evaluative measures of computer usage so as to determine if the said usage is excessive or not. The Department of Labor and Employment Occupational Safety and Health Center has developed technical guidelines, basically some facts about computer usage and its effects on health, and some sets of questions that survey your usage with some suggested measures to ensure that computer usage does not result to health problems.
Reflections
More definitive laws which are adaptive and responsive to changing demands should be legislated. Though this entails careful study of information behaviour and the effects of the media or environment by which it is transmitted to its users, it will be worth the time. Much like anything and everything in this world, technology will affect us in more ways than one. As information professionals, our job does not only include provision of information. The health and safety of library users is also of major concern. Upholding health and safety standards or policies will make your users secure. I myself would want to feel that the institutions I frequent especially those whose aim is customer service are concerned also for my health. This can help establish the role of libraries as information centers.
References
Books
Department of Labor and Employment Occupational Safety and Health Center. (2007). Technical guidelines on safety and health for contact centers. Retrieved August 11, 2012, from http://www.oshc.dole.gov.ph/29/OSH-INFO-MATERIALS/
Articles
American Optometric Association. (1997). The effects of computer use on eye health and vision. Retrieved August 4, 2012, from http://www.aoa.org/documents/EffectsComputerUse.pdf
Publisher: Lasa Knowledgebase
URL: http://ictknowledgebase.org.uk/healthandsafety
ABSTRACT
In the United Kingdom (UK), legislation has been positioned to respond to the growing need of computer usage and its effects to users' health, focusing on computer users in the workplace. Problems related to computer usage like eye strain, continual and recurring discomfort, numbness and stiffness can pose long-term health risks. Preventive measures that should be put in practice by employers include the provision of a healthy, safe and non-straining workplace, properly and suitably positioned furniture and materials necessary for work processes and, medical assistance for prevention and treatment of work related health risks.
What I learned
We all know how technology has brought a lot of things and how it made almost everything possible. In the past we used to just use mechanical type writers and photocopiers. Now we can have it all done just conveniently in front of the computer. Workplaces benefited enormously from the emergence of computers. Work processes in, if not all, almost all industries have evolved in almost all levels. Rather than going through the usual 15 minute walk to the library for the printed book you are looking for, you can retrieve your reading list via your online class community, then download it to your tablet's drive then read it as you enjoy lunch. We chat with our friends over web based social networking sites instead of running down the stairs and reaching for your land line. We do not even need to stand in line at the grocery because we can have them ordered via the internet, then delivered right at our doorstep.
We learned how to make use of technology to our advantage. In the event, we got immersed into it and, one good thing, we realized how the best of it has a price. Employing such media as the internet and the internet evolving into a repository of the different facets of life as it is, has increased our exposure to computers and devices with display monitors. If books in the library gave some people paper cuts, that flat screen LCD monitor though which you proofread the articles you write for your boss can cause eye strain and can even chronic back pain. New life processes: new complications. With the evolving media by which we stay connected to our family, at work, in school, etc., it is recognizable that the regulations governing work processes in consideration of employees' and users' welfare should be adapted and enforced.
In 1993, a law was passed in UK providing regulations on health and safety when using computers in the workplace. It suggested ways on how to suitably respond to the physiological effects of increased computer usage, which is currently growing more in more. The law had placed the much needed attention to computer users health and other health risks posed by technology. This can serve as a benchmark of user protection and security policies in private companies and in libraries as well. As an employer, customizing a policy in response to the growing needs of your employees with regard to prevention of computer or technology related health risks would not only ensure the continuity of production but also the trust and security of of your constituents. In the library setting, making user that users get "breaks" from computer usage would help establish trust and rapport between information professionals/librarians and users. A written policy visible to the users of your library or information center about computer usage, its effects on health and measures that address the said effects will help build security and a sense of community among users, with a common feeling of being taken cared of using information.
There are also local efforts that recommends evaluative measures of computer usage so as to determine if the said usage is excessive or not. The Department of Labor and Employment Occupational Safety and Health Center has developed technical guidelines, basically some facts about computer usage and its effects on health, and some sets of questions that survey your usage with some suggested measures to ensure that computer usage does not result to health problems.
Reflections
More definitive laws which are adaptive and responsive to changing demands should be legislated. Though this entails careful study of information behaviour and the effects of the media or environment by which it is transmitted to its users, it will be worth the time. Much like anything and everything in this world, technology will affect us in more ways than one. As information professionals, our job does not only include provision of information. The health and safety of library users is also of major concern. Upholding health and safety standards or policies will make your users secure. I myself would want to feel that the institutions I frequent especially those whose aim is customer service are concerned also for my health. This can help establish the role of libraries as information centers.
References
Books
Department of Labor and Employment Occupational Safety and Health Center. (2007). Technical guidelines on safety and health for contact centers. Retrieved August 11, 2012, from http://www.oshc.dole.gov.ph/29/OSH-INFO-MATERIALS/
Articles
American Optometric Association. (1997). The effects of computer use on eye health and vision. Retrieved August 4, 2012, from http://www.aoa.org/documents/EffectsComputerUse.pdf
Lasa Information Systems Team. (2003). Computer health and
safety. Lasa knowledgebase. Retrieved
August 06, 2012, from http://ictknowledgebase.org.uk/healthandsafety
Paget, H. (2009). Long-term health risk tied to computer
use. 9NEWS. Retrieved August 10, 2012,
from http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/981603/workers-glued-to-computer-face-serious-health-risk
Williams, B. (2008). Health risks associated with extended
computer usage. Ezine @rticles.
Retrieved August 09, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Health-Risks-Associated-With-Extended-Computer-Usage&id=1417515
Electronic sources
The National Archives. (1992). The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. Retrieved August 05, 2012, from http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/2792/introduction/made
Electronic sources
The National Archives. (1992). The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. Retrieved August 05, 2012, from http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/2792/introduction/made
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