Basic 8 · Computing · Health and Safety in Using ICT Tools
Health Issues at Computer Workstations
In this topic you will discuss the health issues that arise from working at computer workstations, identify their causes and early warning signs, and assess a workstation for health risks.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Identify health issues associated with computer workstations
- Explain the causes and warning signs of workstation-related problems
- Carry out a simple workstation health assessment
What you already know
- Health and safety in using ICT tools (Basic 7)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Introduction To Computing
- Sub-strand
- Health and Safety in Using ICT Tools
- Indicator
- B8.1.3.1.1 – Discuss health issues at workstations
Introduction
People who work at computers for many hours, such as bank staff, secretaries, programmers and students, can develop health problems if their workstations and habits are poor.
1. Common Health Issues
| Health issue | Cause | Warning signs |
|---|---|---|
| musculoskeletal disorders (back, neck and shoulder pain) | poor posture, unsuitable chairs, screens too low or high | stiffness, aching, pain after work |
| repetitive strain injury (RSI) | repeating the same movements, such as typing and clicking | pain, tingling or weakness in hands and arms |
| carpal tunnel syndrome | pressure on the median nerve in the wrist | numbness and tingling in fingers |
| computer vision syndrome (eye strain) | staring at screens, glare, poor lighting | dry, red or tired eyes, blurred vision, headaches |
| headaches | eye strain, poor posture, stress | pain in the head after screen use |
| stress and fatigue | long hours, deadlines, noise | tiredness, irritability, poor concentration |
| sedentary lifestyle effects | sitting for long periods without moving | weight gain, poor circulation, low fitness |
2. How Problems Develop
These problems usually develop slowly. At first, a person may feel only slight discomfort after a long day. If nothing changes, the discomfort becomes regular pain and may lead to lasting injury. Noticing early warning signs and making changes quickly prevents serious harm.
3. Who Is at Risk?
Anyone who uses computers for long periods is at risk, including students who study or game for hours, call-centre workers, journalists and designers. Young people are also at risk from using phones and laptops on beds and sofas with poor posture. Taking care now protects health for life.
4. Myths and Facts
Some people worry that computer screens give off dangerous radiation. Modern screens give off very low levels of radiation that are not considered harmful. The real health risks come from posture, repetition, eye strain and lack of movement, which we can control.
5. Health Issues among Young People
Many young people now spend hours on phones and laptops for school, games and social media. Some lie on beds with phones held above their faces or bend over laptops on their laps for long periods. Over time this can cause neck pain ("text neck"), sore thumbs and wrists, poor sleep and eye strain. Learning healthy habits now prevents these problems from becoming long-term injuries.
New words
- workstation
- The desk, chair, computer and space where a person works.
- musculoskeletal
- Relating to muscles and bones.
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- Numbness in the hand from pressure on a wrist nerve.
- sedentary
- Involving a lot of sitting and little movement.
Summary
- Workstation health issues include back and neck pain, RSI, carpal tunnel syndrome, eye strain, headaches, stress and effects of sitting.
- Problems develop slowly, so early warning signs must be noticed.
- The main risks come from posture, repetition, eye strain and lack of movement, not screen radiation.
Class activity: Health Issue Chart
- Make a chart of five workstation health issues.
- Show the cause and warning signs of each.
- Present it to the class.
You need: Computer chair, Keyboard, Printed workstation-posture chart
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Tired, dry eyes from screens are signs of…
- A. computer vision syndrome
- B. carpal tunnel syndrome
- C. RSI only
- D. fever
Show answer
Answer: computer vision syndromeEye strain.2. Numbness in the fingers from wrist nerve pressure is…
- A. carpal tunnel syndrome
- B. eye strain
- C. headache
- D. stress
Show answer
Answer: carpal tunnel syndromeMedian nerve.3. Sitting for long periods without moving is unhealthy.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSedentary.4. Relating to muscles and bones is ______.
Show answer
Answer: musculoskeletalBody structure.5. State three workstation health issues and their causes.
Show answer
Answer: Back pain from poor posture; RSI from repeated typing; eye strain from staring at screens.Any three.6. Why is it important to notice early warning signs?
Show answer
Answer: Early changes can prevent discomfort from becoming lasting injury.Prevention.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Introduction To Computing
- Sub-strand
- Health and Safety in Using ICT Tools
- Indicator
- B8.1.3.1.1 – Discuss health issues at workstations
Introduction
A workstation assessment is like a health check for your workspace. It finds risks before they cause harm.
1. Workstation Assessment Checklist
| Area | Question | Healthy answer |
|---|---|---|
| chair | Is the height adjustable and the lower back supported? | yes |
| posture | Are feet flat, knees and elbows at about 90°? | yes |
| screen | Is the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level and about an arm's length away? | yes |
| keyboard and mouse | Are they close, with wrists straight? | yes |
| lighting | Is there glare or reflection on the screen? | no |
| breaks | Does the user take a short break every hour? | yes |
| environment | Is the room well ventilated and not too noisy or hot? | yes |
2. Carrying Out an Assessment
- Observe the user working for a few minutes.
- Check each item on the checklist and record yes or no.
- Ask the user about any discomfort they feel.
- Identify the risks shown by "unhealthy" answers.
- Suggest changes to remove or reduce each risk.
- Check again after changes are made.
3. Laptops and Phones
Laptops and phones create special problems because the screen and keyboard are joined. Using a laptop on your lap or a phone held low makes you bend your neck. Raise the laptop on a stand or books and use a separate keyboard and mouse for long sessions. Hold phones at eye level and take breaks.
4. Reporting and Responsibility
In workplaces, employers are responsible for providing safe workstations, as required by Ghana's Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651). Workers and learners are responsible for using equipment correctly and reporting problems. In schools, learners should report broken chairs, flickering screens and unsafe cables to the teacher.
5. Acting on the Assessment
An assessment is useful only if changes follow. Simple, cheap changes often solve problems: placing books under a monitor to raise it, using a cushion for lower-back support, closing curtains to reduce glare, moving the mouse closer and setting a phone reminder for breaks. After making changes, ask the user whether the discomfort has reduced.
New words
- assessment
- A check to identify risks.
- glare
- Bright light reflecting off a screen.
- laptop stand
- A device that raises a laptop screen.
- risk
- The chance that a hazard will cause harm.
Summary
- A workstation assessment checks the chair, posture, screen, keyboard, lighting, breaks and environment.
- Observe, record, ask about discomfort, identify risks and suggest changes.
- Laptops and phones need special care, and employers and users share responsibility for safety.
Class activity: Workstation Assessment
- Assess a classroom computer workstation using the checklist.
- Identify at least three risks.
- Suggest and, where possible, make changes.
You need: Computer chair, Keyboard, Printed workstation-posture chart
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Light reflecting off a screen is…
- A. glare
- B. contrast
- C. resolution
- D. posture
Show answer
Answer: glareReflection.2. When using a laptop for long periods, it is best to…
- A. raise it and use a separate keyboard
- B. place it on your lap
- C. lie on a bed
- D. lower the screen
Show answer
Answer: raise it and use a separate keyboardNeutral posture.3. Employers are responsible for providing safe workstations.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueLabour Act.4. A check to identify risks is an ______.
Show answer
Answer: assessmentEvaluation.5. List four items on a workstation assessment checklist.
Show answer
Answer: Chair height, screen position, wrist position, lighting (or breaks, environment).Any four.6. Explain why using a phone held low for long periods causes neck pain.
Show answer
Answer: Bending the head forward strains the neck muscles for long periods.Text neck.
Homework
- Assess the workstation you use at home (computer or phone) and write three improvements.