ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL
HANDOUT
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
UNIT TITLE: HEALTH AND SAFETY
TOPIC: COMPUTERS AND HEALTH
TEACHER: MS. O’BRIAN
Health:
This is the complete, physical, emotional/mental and social well-being of an individual.
Work related Disorder:
Any illness caused or made worse by workplace factors.
Ergonomics:
Is the study of the relationship between people and their working environment, especially the
equipment they use.
Health issues in an ICT lab:
 Repetitive strain Injury (RSI)
 Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)
 Lower Back Pain
Repetitive strain Injury (RSI):
This is a condition where pain and symptoms occur in an area of the body which has done repetitive
tasks.
Tendonitis:
This is where a tendon is inflamed, caused by some repeated motion or stress on that tendon.
Carpal tunnel syndrome:
Is an inflammation of the nerve that connects your forearm to the palm of your hand. Repeated or
forceful bending of the wrist can caused CTS or tendonitis of the wrist.
This can be caused from:
 Bad posture
 Lack of rest
 Repetition
This can however be prevented by:
 Taking frequent breaks
 Type like you’re playing a piano
 Position mouse same height as keyboard
 Place a risk rest between keyboard and edge of desk.
Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS):
This is a strain on the eyes when using a computer or any device for a long period of time. This
can caused from:
 Using computer for extended time without a breaks.
 Incorrect brightness/lightning of computer.
This can be prevented by:
 Taking frequent breaks
 Adjust contrast and brightness on the computer
 Gentle massage the eyes, neck and forehead.
Lower Back Pain:
This is an uncomfortable sensation felt in the lower back after sitting around a computer
incorrectly. This can be caused from:
 Posture
 Ergonomics
It however can be prevented by:
 Take breaks
 Relax shoulders
 Stretch your lower back now and then
 Use a firm, adjustable and comfortable chair.