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EDPM General Care

The document provides guidelines for properly setting up and maintaining a computer workstation to protect the computer system and ensure user health and safety. It recommends placing the computer on a sturdy desk 4-6 inches from the wall, using a surge protector and UPS, keeping the work area dust-free, and shutting down regularly for updates. It also discusses ergonomic best practices like taking breaks, using a wrist rest, and adjusting the monitor height to prevent repetitive strain injuries, eye fatigue, and back pain from long periods of computer use. Safety risks from overloading outlets, unsafe cord placement, and improper workstation positioning are also addressed.

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164 views

EDPM General Care

The document provides guidelines for properly setting up and maintaining a computer workstation to protect the computer system and ensure user health and safety. It recommends placing the computer on a sturdy desk 4-6 inches from the wall, using a surge protector and UPS, keeping the work area dust-free, and shutting down regularly for updates. It also discusses ergonomic best practices like taking breaks, using a wrist rest, and adjusting the monitor height to prevent repetitive strain injuries, eye fatigue, and back pain from long periods of computer use. Safety risks from overloading outlets, unsafe cord placement, and improper workstation positioning are also addressed.

Uploaded by

asha sahadeo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GENERAL CARE AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF THE COMPUTER

Computers are designed to be durable, so they are not usually damaged through normal use. 
However, they are made of electronic components that must be safeguarded from dust and
moisture.  

The following guidelines will help ensure that you get the best from your computer system:

Setting up you system


 Read all instructions carefully
 Obey all warnings on the equipment
 Place your equipment on a sturdy, level desk that is four to six inches from the wall
 DO NOT expose your equipment to direct sunlight, external heat or moisture
 Use a surge protector and uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to plug in your computer
 NEVER overload your outlets
 Position the monitor so that there is no reflection on the screen or use an anti-glare screen
(modern laptops and desktops have these build in)

Maintaining your work environment


  NEVER eat or drink near the computer
 Keep your work area free from clutter and dust
 Use a soft brush, feather duster or microfiber cloth to dust monitor, keyboard and CPU
 Wipe the monitor with a slightly damp microfiber cloth
 Cover the computer and peripherals with dust covers when the equipment is not in use
 Ensure no dust, moisture, fingerprints or scratches get onto the play surface of your disks
and diskettes
 Keep your documents on the computer well organized
 Protect your computer from malware or viruses
 Ensure all cables and extension cords are secured where they cannot be tripped over or
trodden on, nor snagged by chair legs or rollers 
 Shut down your computer regularly to allow for updates

HEALTH AND SAFETY FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COMPUTER USE

Computers are a very important part of human work. This means computers are used over
prolonged periods of time on a daily basis.  After a few years workers can suffer from a range of
health problems known as computer work-related disorders.  These include repetitive strain
injury, computer vision syndrome and lower back pain.

ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics” is the science of designing the workstation to fit within the capabilities and
limitations of the worker. The goal of office ergonomics is to design your office work station so
that it fits you and allows for a comfortable working environment for maximum productivity and
efficiency.

The aim of ergonomics is to provide inexpensive solutions that can be applied to the work
environment to reduce employee strain and the risk of injury.   There are 3 main types of injury:

 Repetitive strain injury  RSI - muscles, tendons, nerves experience stress or strain
because of tasks performed repeatedly.  There are two types of repetitive strain injury. 
Tendonitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

 Tendonitis - the tendon is inflamed due to a repetitive motion or stress on the


tendon
 Carpal tunnel syndrome -an inflammation of the nerve that connects your forearm
to the palm of your hand (wrist).  Both conditions are very painful.

 Awkward postures - excessive twisting or bending or stretching.

 Static forces - maintaining the same position for long periods of time.

Methods of preventing or reducing RSI:

 Take frequent breaks during any long computer session to exercise your hands and arms
 Place a wrist rest between the keyboard and the edge of your desk to prevent injury due
to typing
 Place your mouse at least six inches in from the the edge of the desk
 Type on the keyboard as you would play the piano, lifting your fingers up and down
rather than your wrists
 Position the mouse at the same height as your keyboard

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) may cause any of the following conditions:

 Sore, tired, burning, itching or dry eyes


 Blurred or double vision
 Headache or sore neck
 Difficulty focusing on the screen image 
 Increased sensitivity to light

Methods of preventing or reducing CVS:

 Take a break of 5 to 10 minutes every hour


 Reduce glare and reflections from the computer screen - clean your screen and block out
excessive sunlight and reflections from lamps
 The top of your screen should be a eye level or slightly below
 Screen should be an arm’s length away

Lower back pain

This can be caused by bad posture or poorly designed or incorrectly assembled furniture and
equipment.

Method of preventing or reducing lower back pain:

 Use an adjustable chair


 Stretch your lower back now and then by standing up and moving around
Safety Factors
Electrical overloading

Do not overload electrical outlets by having too much equipment using power from the same
socket.  This can result in overheating which could cause a fuse to blow or a circuit breaker to
trip or start a fire.  There can be havoc and disaster

Location of extension cords

Place all extension cords away from pathways where they can cause persons to trip or where the
outer insulation can be damaged or exposed to water which can result in electrical shock.  The
ideal location for extension cords is alongside the edge of the wall.
Position of work station

Place the equipment only on a stable desk to prevent injury and at about six inches from any wall
to allow for adequate ventilation.   Keep all slots and ventilation openings free to prevent
overheating.

Organize your workstation with the keyboard and monitor at the appropriate distance in front of
you to avoid the risk of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Adjust the monitor so that it is away
from any glare or reflection and the top isat eye level when seated.  

If you are using a laptop, position it on a raised surface to elevate its height so that the top of the
screen is at eye level when seated.

Position the keyboard so that the front is about 4 inches from the edge of your desk to provide
space for a wrist rest or a palm rest and slightly sloping downward.  Adjust the tilt of the
keyboard.  The ideal position for the keyboard is on an adjustable keyboard tray at elbow height
when you sit.  If there is no wrist or palm rest, the keyboard should be at the edge of the
desk/tray.

Assessment
Fill in the blanks

Computer users can suffer from a range of health problems known as _____________________

__________________  disorders.  One of these health problems, repetitive strain injury, can be 

divided into two key types:  _______________________________ and 

_______________________ .  ________________________________  injury occurs when 

nerves are compressed.

Referring to the image below, recommend ways in which the worker can improve his health and
safety in the workplace, using the following headings:
 Posture 
 Furniture
 Lighting
 Arrangement of workspace
 Elimination of hazards

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