HEALTH PROBLEMS OF VDT WORK

HEALTH PROBLEMS OF VDT WORK
PART A -- RISK FACTORS
A risk factor is a working condition that increases the chance of injuries. Each of the risk factors described here can cause problems. Usually, however, workers are exposed to more than one risk factor at a time. The risk factors that cause most of the injuries and discomfort to VDT operators include:
Awkward posture: Includes keying with the wrists bent backward and reaching for the keyboard or mouse.
Repetition: Performing the same motion or motion pattern every few seconds or on a continuous basis for hours at a time or even the whole day.
Duration: Working for long periods with a VDT.
Lack of Recovery: Working with a computer without enough breaks from doing VDT work.
Force: the effort it takes to move or remain in a fixed position. Another type of force, known as contact stress, comes from pressure against a part of the body. For example, resting the wrists against a hard and/or sharp edge of a desk while working at a computer puts pressure on the wrists.
Uncomfortable Environment: Includes poor air quality, improper lighting, glare, noise and other conditions.
Organization of Work: Includes factors such as staffing levels, scheduling, workload and job pacing, electronic monitoring, performing monotonous tasks, and the amount of control workers have over how they perform their jobs. These are sometimes referred to as psychosocial factors.