Recently I was a guest at a lecture given by an ergonomic specialist for some 200 Investment Bankers and their staff at their headquarters. The speaker listed the most common computer injuries such as upper and lower back-pain, neck and shoulder pain, or painful wrists, and then turned towards his audience and asked how many have experienced one or more of those complaints. About a quarter of the bankers lifted their hands. A young participant stood up and said to the ergonomic specialist: "If you want the true answer you should phrase your question in a different way", she turned to her colleagues and asked: "Is there anyone in this room who did not suffer from one or more of those complaints?" No one raised a hand. Why did 75% of the bankers choose not to raise their hands if they all had experienced some form of computer injury?
Computer injuries are by definition a Repetitive Strain Injury – RSI. They are not accidents happening in split seconds, creating drama and drawing attention. They creep up on us - unaware and defenseless - and when we become aware of a problem it often takes a long time to figure out the cause. Like bad habits, we tend to be ashamed of them: we feel it was so silly to have let minor details like the positioning of the mouse or keyboard develop into such major injuries. Not knowing how to protect ourselves against RSI, or how to reverse a developing acute problem, we postpone taking action until the symptoms become so bad that we have no other choice than to seek medical attention.
Computers and other electronic gadgets tend to be operated for long hours by people who are unaware of any potential risks. When (if??) reading the Users Guides, they will typically find little or no information relating to Repetitive Strain Injuries and how to avoid them. Unlike medicines where counter-indications show up fast and often dramatically, clearly indicating the cause, the slow and subversive nature of the RSI creates an absence of responsibility for the problem. The manufacturer sells the hardware and software and can not be held responsible for the use one makes of them. Employers often do not know of a problem and may not want to be bothered by such "trivial" problems like the distance between employees and their keyboards. External advisors are often reluctant to put information in their reports that may incur substantial costs on the corporation, and going to the gym is rarely regarded as a solution for a pain one has developed in the wrist. Physicians will treat the symptoms. They can not be expected to check every patient's work-station, or trace a shoulder problem all the way back to the use of a certain device.
The nature and size of the RSI problem suggests that the only viable way to address it is to provide computer users (and other gizmo users) with integral software/content that addresses ergonomic and protective training needs. Ergonomic instructions should be there for users to consult, and exercises should be available for protection from RSI, for pain relief and for injury reversal.
One unique solution to this problem has been developed by Desk-Trainer Ltd., a small company from
San Rafael, CA and Tel-Aviv. Desk-Trainer has identified the need for a service to fill the void and created a software/content solution it offers as a subscription service over the web. A special corporate intranet version is also available. The Desk-Trainer.com web site offers advice on office workplace ergonomics, as well as desk exercises and office stretches to protect against Repetitive Strain Injuries and to relieve computer injuries. Desk-Trainer is also adapting the content for PDAs and cellular phones to assist people on the move.
Individuals and corporations looking for ways to reduce the risk of RSI and increase employee productivity, should consider taking a proactive approach to the problem and investigate solutions such as Desk-Trainer as a way to reduce lost productivity and medical claims.
Eran Baniel |
TECHNOLOGIES