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Are Your Staff Being Affected by Poor Desk Health?
 Whilst
you are probably aware of the dangers of
trips and falls in the workplace, you may
not be aware of the issues that can arise
through poor desk management. The online
survey of 1,500 UK office workers, conducted
in February 2007 by Visual Display
Manufacturer ViewSonic, shows a clear link
between poor ergonomics knowledge and an
increase in symptoms such as headaches, eye
fatigue and backache.
The study reveals that 46% of office workers
spend six or more hours in front of their
computer screens a day and the majority
(51%) of these are not scheduling
appropriate breaks according to ergonomic
guidelines. Around three quarters of
workers report suffering from headaches
(67%), eye fatigue (77%) and backache (71%).
The incidence of physical symptoms
increases markedly in line with lack of
ergo-awareness. Work-induced stress and
anxiety is also an issue for 78% of office
workers.
Mel Taylor of ViewSonic said: “The research
shows that not only are we a workforce
plagued by chronic ill-health, but that we
lack the will to change at both an
individual and corporate level. Employers
could eliminate these issues instantly for
many staff by promoting better desktop
ergonomics. Sadly, the issue is not on the
board’s agenda, despite the potential for
huge productivity gains.”
Alarmingly, it is the youngest office
workers that are most at risk.
16-24-year-olds who work the longest screen
hours are least likely to be scheduling
appropriate breaks. They are one-and-a- half
times more likely to suffer headaches (76%)
than those aged over 55 (48%).
Good equipment has an important part to play
as well. Users of CRT monitors were found
to be twice as likely to have frequent
headaches than users of widescreen LCD
monitors. Indeed, 42% of widescreen users
say they never get a headache.
There may be trouble ahead for employers who
do not promote good ergonomics practice; 55%
of young employees (16-24-year-olds) report
that excessive workloads or peer/management
pressure prevents them from scheduling more
frequent breaks and are consequently
developing poor work habits. Almost half of
workers (47%) say they’ve been offered no
advice on the best desktop layout or
ergonomics best practice in the last 12
months. More than two thirds (69%) say they
would consider future legal action if they
should develop a long-term illness or
disability induced by their office
environment.
Mel Taylor continued, “Not only are
employers ignoring the clear productivity
benefits of better IT equipment and
ergonomics, they are also ignoring their
duty of care responsibility and may be
opening themselves up to serious legal
liabilities in the future. We urge both
employers and employees to change this
casual attitude to ergonomics – companies
can do a lot more to instil better working
practices but armed with even a little more
knowledge, employees can look after
themselves a lot more effectively too.”
Emil Reisser-Weston, ergonomist from e-OfficeSafey.com
says: “It is vital that computer users take
regular micro-breaks every hour. Just
standing up and having a quick stretch will
in fact increase productivity and not lessen
it. It is all about creating a culture
within the organisation where this sort of
behaviour is approved.”
The ViewSonic at Work at Risk Report follows
independent research in 2006 which revealed
a clear link between outdated computer
equipment and low job satisfaction,
workplace ailments and increased sick
leave.
To help you create a better desk setup,
ViewSonic have set up an information site
called 'Monitor Victims' here.
For more articles on Technology issues visit
our Internet and Technology portal here.
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