Health and
Safety is a much overlooked aspect of computing. There are various aspects of
computer that are perhaps affecting our health, starting with HCI (Human
Control Interface) right down to Electromagnetism.
Since your
are interested in building, upgrading or repairing your PC yourself (otherwise
you would not be here), we can assume that you have the kind of interest in
computers that goes beyond simple office work. With this kind of interest in
computers and computer hardware, you will spend a considerable amount of time
in front of your beloved (or ‘behated’) piece of equipment, during which your
computer has a considerable impact on your health.
The Work Space
It should
be apparent by now that illness associated with use of computer scan rarely be
attributed to a single cause or factor. More commonly, the complaints that
computer user report can be traced back to a vast array of elements, from the
specifics of a piece of equipment to the vagaries of attitude and environment.
It follows, therefore, that the environment in which we compute must be one of
the possible elements, which contribute to our health and well being (or lack
of).
Many of the
‘broader’ repetitive strain injuries-head, neck and shoulder-are the result of
many factors than simply fast, repetitive typing. Poor posture, uncomfortable
furniture and a poorly laid out environment all take their toll on the hapless
computer user. The workspace (also referred to as working environment or workstation)
is a rich combination of these things. The immediate workspace comprises
personal working habits, the shape and height of the desk, design of the chair,
position and angle of monitor, accessibility of the mouse and keyboard and
presence or absence of other items (such as document holders) on the desk. The
wider workspace also embraces the location of windows, the temperature and
humidity of the room, noise, and lighting levels. All these elements contribute
to an individual’s susceptibility to various health problems. The effects may
not be apparent immediately, but the cumulative effects of years spent working
at the PC can be damaging so make sure you have selected your working
environment as carefully as the components for your PC.
Lighting and Glare:
For maximum
comfort, the best combination of lighting for the computer user is diffuse
ambient light, generated by indirect sources and not exceeding 500 lux. If
paper work is a regular part of the job, lighting levels should tend towards
500 lux, or be supplemented by a small, adjustable spotlight for close reading.
The aim is to reduce contrast and glare, which force the eyes to work much
harder.
Temperature and Humidity:
The
temperature range at which people are comfortable is surprisingly narrow and
very precise, rarely varying by more than two or three degrees from the mean of
20 degrees centigrade. Women tend to prefer a slightly higher temperature than
men. Cooling and comfort can be aided by good ventilation, although draughts
can be a pain. The feet and neck are particularly sensitive to draughts, and
most people prefer air currents, which come from in front than from behind.
Humidity is essential in computerized offices, and most studies recommend
relative humidity of 40-50 per cent, with’30 per cent as the absolute minimum.
Noise at Workplace:
A
comfortable level of sound for most people is between 45 and 50 decibels, where
the decibel measures the pressure caused by sound waves on the human ear.
Computers and computing equipment have introduced new sources and levels of
noise to the office environment, some of which considerable exceed this level.
Printers are the worst offenders, with matrix and daisy wheel printers
producing sound levels of up to 75 decibels, although a hood can reduce this to
a more bearable 60. computers themselves make almost no noise, although the
cooling fan within the system unit can be clearly heard. At 40 decibels it is
rarely remarked upon, but some computer cooling fans reach levels of 50
decibels or more. If the office is quiet, or if there is more than one
computer, the noise level can become quite distracting.
