Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS)
A person who works in an office would not be exposed to as many hazards as someone who works in a factory. However, unlike a factory worker an office worker must sit for long periods. Using the correct posture is very important.
When office employees just used typewriters, calculators and pens and pencils to do jobs, it was fairly easy to arrange things on the desk so the worker could sit properly. When computers are involved it is not so easy. You need to look at the computer screen, read documents, use the keyboard and mouse and answer the telephone while sitting at your desk.
Good posture means your desk is the right height, you are comfortable and your spine is well supported by your chair to reduce the risk of muscle strain and fatigue.
 | | Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) refers to a number of conditions where there is constant pain in the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. |
OOS once known as Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI can be a serious problem in the office and business industry.
OOS affects parts of the body that are used in work activities involving one or more of the following:
frequent or repetitive movements (such as operating keyboards for long periods).
forceful movements (such as using a punch or a stamp).
postures that are held for long periods of time (such as looking at a computer screen that is too high, or holding your head at an angle to see past glare on the screen).
These activities can cause strain and inflammation (swelling and pain) to muscles and soft tissues. Strain injuries often need treatment over a long period of time.
What your employer should do
To reduce the risk of OOS injuries your employer should:
provide a desk that is big enough to reach all the things you need without over reaching or twisting;
provide a chair that gives good back support and can be easily adjusted to the correct working height for you (this usually means adjusting your chair so that your elbows are level with the 'home' row of keys on the keyboard);
provide a footstool, if you feet cannot rest comfortably on the floor when the chair is at the correct height;
provide information and training on how to use and adjust the furniture and equipment correctly;
make sure you are not performing repetitive work for long periods without a break (such as 5 minutes after 30 minutes of work) or a mix of repetitive and non-repetitive jobs such as keyboard tasks and delivering mail);
make sure you are trained to use computer software as it takes less repetitive keyboard and mouse actions for a skilled user than an unskilled user; and
make sure you are not overloaded with work or forced to meet unrealistic deadlines.
What you can do
To reduce the risk of OOS injury you should:
arrange your work area to make sure all materials, equipment and controls can be easily reached without stretching or twisting;
check your posture before you start work and adjust your furniture so you can maintain a good posture while using the keyboard;
start keyboard work slowly each day to warm up to the task, and cool down by reducing your keystrokes rate at the end of each day;
alternate keyboard work with other work tasks, never accumulate work breaks; and
report equipment or furniture that is broken or not working properly immediately to your supervisor.
Talk to your supervisor if you are not sure how to adjust furniture and if you have any problems in meeting deadlines or trying to handle too many demands at once. Being under pressure and not taking breaks can contribute to OOS injuries.
Some hints for keyboard operators
keep your shoulders relaxed and wrists straight;
keep your elbows level with the "home" row of keys and close to the sides of the body;
give yourself plenty of leg room and keep feet firmly supported;
keep your head upright and balanced
use a chair with a backrest to support your spine, avoid pressure at the front edge of the seat and don't use a chair with armrests;
move the screen of your computer so it is level with your eyes and you can hold your head straight and comfortably; and
use the mouse as close to the side of the keyboard as possible and use a mouse pad.
