Ergonomics And YouBy Nicole Stevenson [Health & Your Life]
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 You probably already feel it by the end of the day, but in case you didn’t realize it, your eyes are also put under a lot of stress during the course of a workday. Close work, like reading and computer use, can deteriorate your eyesight, and our society sure does a lot of it. You’ve probably experienced the burning sensation in your eyes after working a long time on a particular task. Perhaps you’ve even gotten headaches. But did you know that you can do something about it? No, not quit your job. Like all of your other office strains and pains, all it takes to aid your eyes is some rearranging and habit changing. Make sure your desk has enough room to accommodate your computer and keyboard. Your monitor should be placed between 40 centimetres and 75 centimetres (about arms length) away from your eyes and the top of the screen should align with your line of vision. Office lighting, be it fluorescent lights above or the afternoon sun coming in through the window, can also play a large role when it comes to eye strain. The eyes try to adjust to glare and become fatigued causing the burning or tired feeling you are probably familiar with. When you find yourself staring at a screen or small print all day, give your eyes a break as much as possible. If you can’t get up and walk around (which is recommended to give your muscles and joints a breather), simply look away and focus on another object. Whose Responsibility Is Ergonomics? All of the prolonged computer and desk work we do day in and day out has made us very susceptible to musculoskeletal injury (MSI, or a fancy term for the muscle, ligament and tendon pain we’ve been talking about). While it doesn’t always feel like it at the time, something as simple as your seat not curving downwards to prevent thighs and hips from sitting at a harsh, rigid angle, could lead to a whole slew of problems that are far more difficult to banish than they are to come by. For this reason, your employer is responsible for making your workspace as comfortable as possible. This may include purchasing or replacing current equipment with more ergonomically sound items, like a smaller computer mouse or a mouse pad with a wrist rest, or it may be training on the proper use of existing equipment to fit your personal needs. Keep in mind though, that while it is your employer’s responsibility to provide you with the appropriate resources, ultimately it’s up to you to use them. Sources: Ontario Ministry of Labour Work Safe BC Association of Canadian Ergonomists MFL Occupational Health Centre The College of Family Physicians of Canada University of Waterloo |
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