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Beyond ergonomics: strategies for preventing and accommodating computer overuse injuries

Copyright © Alan Cantor 2001. All rights reserved.

Inclusion by Design / Une société inclusive
Montréal Québec

2 June 2001, 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Alan Cantor, B.Ed, M.A.
Cantor Access Inc.

Overview

Aim

To correct common misconceptions about computer injuries, and to outline effective prevention and accommodation strategies.

Topics

A. RSI basics

• A definition for RSI
• The parts of a computer users' body that are vulnerable to injury
• The symptoms of RSI
• The stages of RSI
• RSI risk factors

B. Preventing and accommodating RSIs

• Popular misconceptions about RSI
• The promise and perils of the ergonomics approach to accommodating people with RSI
• Successful RSI accommodation strategies
• RSI prevention strategies

What is RSI?

• Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is an umbrella term for many occupational injuries that may occur when job demands exceed the capacity of the body to heal itself.
• RSI: damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves and other soft tissue.
• The effects of the disorder are cumulative; they develop after months or years of repetitive, stressful, or awkward movements that gradually wear down the musculoskeletal system.
• The onset is so gradual that the factors that cause it may go unnoticed.

Eight RSI risk factors

1. Repetitive motion
2. Working posture
3. Static loading
4. Work station setup
5. Computer work habits
6. Inadequate fitness levels
7. Exacerbating activities
8. Stress

Beyond ergonomics

When conducting an accommodation assessment for someone with RSI, at least four factors should be taken into account:

1. The ergonomics of the work station and work area
2. Individual work habits
3. Working conditions / Job design
4. Activities outside work

RSI accommodation strategies

1. Provide work habit reeducation
2. Modify job duties
3. Reorganize the work area
4. Reconfigure work stations
5. Provide macro software and training to use it
6. Teach keyboard-only techniques
7. Provide alternative keyboards and pointing devices
8. Provide voice recognition software and training

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