Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) Awareness Day
NICE hosted the February STC event in honor of RSI Awareness Day. Special
thanks to NICE for hosting the event, and David Schor who donated his
time and energy in setting up the venue.
For those who missed this event - you can still find out about ergonomics
in the workplace by reading the review of the presentations.
Text by Sharon Peress
Photography by Leah Guren
Eva Honeyman - Consulting Ergonomist for Ergo
The Ergonomics of the Computerized Workstation
and How to Increase Your Chances of Avoiding RSI
RSI is now known more accurately as CTD (Cumulative Trauma Disorder).
This is a legal term, not a medical term such as CTS (Carpal's Tunnel
Syndrome).
CTD injuries are often not treated correctly but the situation is improving.
In some countries, but not Israel, employers must provide standardized
work conditions. In general, hi tech companies in Israel tend to provide
better working conditions, in terms of ergonomics, than do other industries.
There has been much improvement in the last five years but we still have
a long way to go.
It is important to consider the so-called "Ergonomics triangle",
consisting of the person/employee, the workplace and the job to be done.
 The
technology at a workplace must fit the person using it. To properly design
workspaces, the person's limitations and abilities must be understood.
An ergonomist might, for example, look at a work environment and think
about the level of alertness a particular job requires and then see if
the workspace promotes the required vigilance. Workspace conditions that
are examined include the furniture, ambient lighting, ventilation/air
quality, temperature, noise level, and humidity level.
As technical communicators, we should set up our workspace appropriately.
For example:
- choose a mouse style to fit your hand
- the backrest of your chair should be at a 105° angle to the seat and
not 90°
- the monitor should be about 60cm from your eyes
In addition, there are useful exercises that can easily be done in the
workplace.
Pinhas Joseph - Former President of STC Israel
How to Keep Yourself Fit While Working
I have developed, in conjunction with a guru in India, a unique method
based largely on identifying and massaging or pressing on about 250 pressure
points located all over one's body. This method is tailored for
technical communicators, who sit continuously. It also includes breathing
exercises.
Muscle tension is usually caused by overuse or incorrect
use of certain muscles. The most important element to prevent muscle tension
is a steady flow of oxygen-rich blood. My method addresses problems in
the neck, shoulders, elbow, wrist and hand areas.
According to this method, the body is divided into ten longitudinal
zones along which bio-energy (chetna) flows. Before massaging the pressure
points in these zones, one's fingers and thumbs must be strengthened.
There are three exercises that can be used to strengthen the fingers and
thumbs.
 You
can also practice breathing exercises which, if done correctly, can focus
your concentration and improve your memory. The main breathing sequence
is done for 50 counts each time, as follows:
- 10 counts while inhaling
- 20 counts to hold the breath it
- 10 counts to exhale;
- 10 counts to do nothing.
There are also exercises for the soles of the feet. You can also use
magnetic belts (magnet therapy) containing low-power, natural magnets
to counteract muscle tension.
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