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1. INFECTIOUS DISEASES
_INFECTIOUS DISEASE: A disease that due to a specific agent or
organism can be
transmitted from an organism or inanimate source (e.g. water,
food, soil) to a susceptible
host.
_Todays highly mobile, interdependent and interconnected world
provides myriad
opportunities for the rapid spread of infectious diseases, which
is why it is so critical to
update and expand your organizations crisis management and
business continuity plansto protect your employees, customers,
supply chain contacts, stakeholders, and business
assets.
Case study
The Case of SARSWith many employees traveling to and from
international destinations,
monitoring and controlling infectious diseases like Ebola and
SARS has become an
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important safety issue. Obviously, employers must make
provisions for ensuring that a
returning employee does not inadvertently infect one or more
colleagues. Employers can
take a number of steps to prevent the entry or spread of
infectious diseases like SARS into
their workplaces.
2. COMPUTER- RELATED ERGONOMIC PROBLEMS
Computer-Related Ergonomic problemscan be caused by both
work-related and non-workrelated factors. Computer-related
Ergonomics problems are conditions which affect millions
of people every single day. These Computer-related Ergonomics
problems are only getting
worse, as more and more of us use desktop and laptop computers
all day, then again at
night, we are spending more and more time in front of our
computers and we will pay the
price if we do not pay attention to our postures and bodies.
The most common types of computer-related ergonomic problem
include:
1. Cumulative Trauma Disorders of Arm
2. Ergonomics Problems of the Eye
3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
4. Other Ergonomic Problems: neck pain, back pain, fibromyalgia,
headaches
Typically, cumulative trauma disorders of the hand and wrist
make up the most frequently
seen ergonomic-related computer injury in the clinics.
Conditions often include carpal tunnel
syndrome, tendonitis, sprain, strain, De Quervains, trigger
finger and ganglion cysts.
Symptoms of Computer-Related Ergonomic Problems
Below is a list of the most common clinical signs and symptoms
of computer-related
ergonomic risk factors.
1. Pain or aching in wrists, forearms, elbows, neck, or back
followed by discomfort
2. Numbness, tingling or burning sensation in hand or
fingers
3. Dry, itchy, red or sore eyes
4. Blurred or double vision
5. Tight, sore neck and shoulder muscles
6. General fatigue or tiredness
7. Reduced grip strength in the hand
8. Swelling or stiffness in the hand or wrist
9. Reduced range of motion in the hands, wrist, shoulder, neck,
or back
10. Weakness11. Tension stress headaches and other stress
disorders
Ergonomic Risk Factors for Computer-Related Ergonomics
Problems
The primary ergonomics risk factors for Computer-related
Ergonomic problems like
Cumulative Trauma Disorder and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:
repetitive motions, poor
support, awkward posture, forceful movements and overall poor
workplace ergonomics set-
up. All of these ergonomic risk factors can simply and easily be
reduced or eliminated.
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Prevention is cost-effective and easy, compared to the
alternative of living in pain, high
medical costs, therapy or surgery and lost time or lost work
efficiency.
The main causes of Computer-Related ErgonomicsProblems
The main causes of computer-related ergonomicsproblems related
specifically to the
workstation design or set up. Often time we see very
poorergonomics set up with laptop
users due to the inherent inability to adjust the various
components of the computer such as
the screen, mouse and keyboard. Here is a list of the computer
set-up related causes:
1. Awkward and poor posture
2. Repetitive motions and tasks
3. Forceful movements
4. Poor workplace set-up
5. Sitting in same posture for continuous long hours
6. Lower back and /or leg support is inadequate
7. Poor lighting
8. Documents and monitor screen not at same angle and plane9.
Keyboard and computer mouse not at same angle and plane
How to Solve Computer-Related Ergonomics Problems:
Solving computer-related ergonomic problems is all about
postural education, postural
adjustment and the re-arrangement of the computer set-up to be
within ergonomic
guidelines.
