There exist many different things in the workplace that add to stress and injuries. They range from lifting heavy boxes to typing too much on the keyboard. However, in this paper, I will focus on th

Work hazards may be caused by many different factors in the environment. In the average computer workstation, employees are prone to over a dozen hazards. There exist two factors that can prevent this: forming good work habits and ergonomically designed computer workstations. I will discuss these preventions further throughout the paper. These work hazards can cause several different injuries such as, Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD), and Repetitive Motion Disorder (RMD). “They are described as painful conditions of the hands, arms, neck, and back that develop over days, weeks or years. Other terms used to describe this general group of disorders include Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD), Repetitive Motion Disorder (RMD), and Overuse Syndrome. Epidemiological research has determined that if these biomechanical conditions are present, the incidence of work-related injuries increases. These conditions are therefore known as risk factors for musculoskeletal injury” (www.diversergo.com/data.html). Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) takes place from the repeated physical movements of certain body parts which results in damage to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues. If these injuries are not traken care of immediately, permanent damage could be done. A few common results of RSI’s that were not taken care of right away are injuries like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendentious, Tenosynovitis, DeQuervain’s Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, etc. In this paper we will look more closely at RSI’s and CTD’s. These are more commonly found in office and computer workers.

Additionally, there are many computer users who complain with visual discomfort. “Specialists like James Sheedy at the VDT Eye Clinic at the University of Berkeley School of optometry believe that computer users can develop repetitive strain injury of the eye, and the governmental agency NIOSH estimates that over 60 million Americans suffer from computer eyestrain” (http://ergonomics.ucla.edu/Ergowebv2.0/articles/compvision.htm). Eyestrain can cause headaches as well as many other problems. “Eyestrain and headaches are the most common complaints associated with vision. Other problems include double or blurred vision, burning and dry sensations, ocular fatigue, loss of focus, and other visual disturbances. Neck and back pain can also be related to viewing the computer keyboard and/or screen. Although no permanent eye damage has been attributed to computer use, comfortable vision is important to maintain” (http://ergonomics.ucla.edu/Ergowebv2.0/articles/compvision.htm). One may wonder if there is a difference in printed material or computer material and the answer is yes. “Printed material is characterized by smooth, dense, black lines with edges that are well defined. Eyes focus to printed material differently than characters on the computer screen because the characters on the computer screen fade out around the edges. The characters are the brightest in the middle and then fade out, so the eyes have difficulty focusing on them. Instead the eyes focus to a further point called the RPA or the resting point of accomodation and then the eye muscles must flex to get the images on the screen focused. The eyes end up being overworked and this can result in eyestrain” (http://ergonomics.ucla.edu/Ergowebv2.0/articles/compvision.htm). If you have any eye discomfort caused by viewing something, you can call it eyestrain.

As computer use has increased, workers who spend long hours at terminals began to show signs of physical strain that had never before been acknowledged with desk work. Some complaints were headaches, backaches, neck and shoulder tension, wrist and hand injuries, eyestrain, and general irritability. These complaints led to the emergence of new scientist, called ergonomists, to concentrate on these new complaints and find ways of improving health. “Ergonomists use i

Some topics in this essay:
Strain Injury, Trauma Disorders”, Berkeley School, Injuries RSI’s”, PowerPause Correct, , North America, Tunnel Syndrome, RSI’s CTD’s, Injuries RSI, carpal tunnel, repetitive strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, tunnel syndrome, computer users, repetitive motion, strain injury, cumulative trauma, repetitive strain injury, office computer, hands wrists, dominant eye, balance light levels, motion disorder rmd, repetitive strain injuries,