Health Issues (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT)

Health Issues

What are health issues?

• Health issues are a common side affect of the prolonged use of IT at home or in the workplace

• There are strategies that should be in place to help prevent health issues such as:

  • Repetitive strain injury (RSI)

  • Back/neck problems

  • Eye strain

  • Headaches

Repetitive strain injury (RSI)

• Repetitive strain injury is damage to the fingers, wrists and joints, traditionally cause d by prolonged use of a keyboard and mouse

• The effects of RSI include:

  • Pain

  • Numbness

  • Weakness

  • Stiffness

• To eliminate or reduce the risk of RSI, a user should:

  • Have the correct posture (angle of arms to the keyboard and mouse)

  • Use a wrist support if necessary

  • Take regular breaks

  • Make use of ergonomic keyboards

Back/neck problems

• Back and neck problems are caused from sitting in front of a computer screen for prolonged periods of time

• The effects of back/neck problems include:

  • Pain

  • Stiffness

  • Muscle spasms

  • Weakness

  • Numbness or tingling

  • Sciatica

  • Difficulty sleeping

• To eliminate or reduce the risk of back/neck problems, a user should:

  • Use adjustable chairs

  • Take regular breaks

  • Use a foot rest

Eye strain

• Eye strain is caused by staring at a computer screen for prolonged periods of time or incorrect lighting causing reflections

• The effects of eye strain include:

  • Headaches

  • Vision problems (blurred, double, light sensitivity)

  • Discomfort

• To eliminate or reduce the risk of eye strain, a user should:

  • Take regular breaks

  • Use anti-glare screen filter

  • Change from CRT to LCD monitor

Headaches

• Headaches are caused by a combination of factors, including:

  • Poor lighting

  • Flickering screens

  • Reflections

  • Fatigue

• To eliminate or reduce the risk of eye strain, a user should:

  • Take regular breaks

  • Have regular eye tests

  • Use an anti-glare screen filter