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Introduction to Programming

Lecturer: Steve Maybank

Department of Computer Science and Information Systems

sjmaybank@dcs.bbk.ac.ukSpring 2016

Week 2a: Safe Operation ofComputing equipment

Correct Working Posture

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Sit back and move chairclose to the desk. Maintaincontact between your backand the seat back to supportthe inward curve of thelumbar spine.

Tilt the seat forward 5°-15°to keep the knees lowerthan the hips

http://www.posturite.co.uk/posture-learning-resources/art-of-sitting

Poor Working Posture

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Do not perch on the frontof your seat. Move thekeyboard close to the frontof the desk

Avoid incorrect slouchingin which the pelvis rotatesbackwards. The inwardcurve in the lumbar spineis lost and the lumbar discsare strained

Correct Slouch

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Release the seat andback of the chair andlean back supportedby the chair.

Ensure that the hipsare pushed back andthe chair back followsthe lumbar spine.

Incorrect Slouch

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Do not slide the hipsforward as this willprevent the naturalinward curve of thelumbar spine.

Keep the angle of thechair back within 90°to retain the curve ofthe lumbar spine.

Sitting at a PC

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http://www.freelancewritingtips.com/20-helpful-tools-to-jumpstart-your-freelance-writing-career/

Posture Lower back: supported by the chair back Forearms: horizontal Wrists: straight, in line with the forearms Head: up and balanced with the screen

at eye level Do not rest wrists on the edge of the

desk or bend the hands up at the wrists

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http://www.bbk.ac.uk/so/guidance/DSE2

Equipment Chair: sit well back with the lower back

supported Footrest: if the feet do not rest on the floor Screen: at arm’s length with the top at eye level Keyboard: near to the edge of the desk Mouse: near to the keyboard Document holder: place near to the screen and

at the same height and angle Wrist straight, with the hand in line with the arm

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Lighting

Avoid windows or lights in line with the screen

Avoid reflections from the screen

Sit sideways to windows

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Movement Avoid sitting in the same position and

staring at the screen for long periods

Vary the activity at the desk

Get up and move around every hour or so

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Laptops Poor ergonomics because the screen and the

keyboard are close together Do not use a laptop for long periods. A desktop

PC is better Do not support the laptop on the lap because

of the heat Consider using a docking station

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http://www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk/people/r.benedyk/laptops.pdf

References http://www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/dcswiki/index.php/VDU_Advice

http://www.umassd.edu/media/umassdartmouth/environmentalhealthandsafety/ergonomicschecklist.pdf

Trevor Shaw, NHS ergonomist. Video at http://www.nhs.uk/video/pages/Healthybackatwork.aspx?searchtype=Video&

College Disability Office

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