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Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis,
tenosynovitis or other musculoskeletal disorders. The following symptoms may
appear in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or back:
•
numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation
•
aching, soreness or tenderness
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pain, swelling or throbbing
•
stiffness or tightness
•
coldness or weakness
If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort
and/or pain related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and
inform your company's health and safety department.
The following section provides tips for more comfortable computer use.
Finding your comfort zone
Find your comfort zone by adjusting the viewing angle of the monitor, using a
footrest, or raising your sitting height to achieve maximum comfort. Observe
the following tips:
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refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture
•
avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward
•
stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg
muscles
Taking care of your vision
Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive
room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast
displays could stress your eyes. The following sections provide suggestions on
how to reduce eyestrain.
Eyes
•
Rest your eyes frequently.
•
Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and
focusing on a distant point.
•
Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.
Display
•
Keep your display clean.
•
Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so your
eyes point downward when looking at the middle of the display.
•
Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level for
enhanced text readability and graphics clarity.
•
Eliminate glare and reflections by:
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placing your display in such a way that the side faces the window or
any light source
•
minimizing room light by using drapes, shades or blinds
•
using a task light
•
changing the display's viewing angle
