Setting Up a Healthy Work Environment A-5
Position whatever you are looking at most of the time (the screen or ref-
erence material) directly in front of you to minimize turning your head
while you are typing.
Get regular eye check-ups.
VARY YOUR WORKDAY
If you use your computer for prolonged periods, follow these instructions.
Vary your tasks throughout the day.
Take frequent short breaks that involve walking, standing, and stretching.
During these breaks, stretch muscles and joints that were in one position
for an extended period of time. Relax muscles and joints that were active.
Use a timer or reminder software to remind you to take breaks.
To enhance blood circulation, alter your sitting posture periodically and
keep your hands and wrists warm.
NOTE
For more information on workstation setup, see the American
National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Visual
DisplayTerminal Workstations. ANSI/HFS Standard No. 100-1988.
The Human Factors Society, Inc., P.O. Box 1369, Santa Monica,
California 90406.
PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS
Pre-existing conditions that may cause or make some people more suscepti-
ble to musculoskeletal disorders include the following: hereditary factors,
vascular disorders, obesity, nutritional deficiencies (e.g., Vitamin B defi-
ciency), endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes), hormonal imbalances, connec-
tive tissue disorders (e.g., arthritis), prior trauma (to the hands, wrists, arms,
shoulders, neck, back, or legs), prior musculoskeletal disorders, aging, fluid
retention due to pregnancy, poor physical conditioning and dietary habits,
and other conditions.
