| Popis: |
Abstract Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) negatively impacts the health and productivity of individuals and corporations. In 2006 the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that Repetitive Strain Injuries accounted for 30% of total workplace injuries and illnesses in America. RSI burdens American employers with annual costs as high as twenty billion dollars [2]. Many companies operate internal programs that attempt to mitigate the risk of RSI to improve the health and well being of their employees. Existing corporate programs typically focus on physical workstation set up and mechanisms that assist workers to take breaks at regular intervals. These strategies can be successful but they require active participation from workers to be effective and they do not examine one of the fundamental activities users perform while sitting at a computer, which is interacting with computer software. ExxonMobil1, Schlumberger, University of Houston-Clear Lake and Rice University have joined efforts to develop tools that can be used to measure and understand computer software's impact on the incidents of RSI. One of our primary goals is to create a short survey that measures software's potential impact on RSI. When companies are considering purchasing software, decision makers can use the survey measurements as part of their efforts to manage and mitigate the risk of RSI more effectively. Companies that design software for internal or external distribution can also make use of this information to design software that is more ergonomic. Introduction: Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) and/or Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) result from micro-traumas, that, if taken one by one, would not result in a noticeable injury, but when these micro-traumas occur repeatedly over short periods of time, their cumulative effect can result in an injury [1]. A micro-trauma could be someone having direct contact with a hard surface. This hard surface can put pressure on a variety of body parts including nerves, tendons, muscles, and may also interfere with blood flow. Another example is when someone holds his or her hand in an awkward position for an extended period of time. This static posture puts strain on the nerves, muscles, and tendons. The likelihood of injury increases significantly if the micro-traumas go untreated or people do not rest between the micro-traumas. Other factors that may lead to injuries may also include environmental factors, repetition, and forceful muscle exertion. |
