4 Working in Comfort
52 English
Improper and prolonged use of keyboards and input devices are among
those tasks that have been associated with repetitive strain injury
(RSI) to soft tissues in the hands and arms. If you experience
discomfort or pain while using any computing equipment, discontinue
use immediately and consult your physician as soon as possible. In
addition to the information on RSI given in this chapter, you may also
consult the online version of Working in Comfort preloaded on the
hard disk of the your HP computing equipment, or visit HP’s Working
in Comfort web site at:
http://www.hp.com/ergo/.
About Repetitive
Strain Injury
Because your comfort and safety are our primary concern, we strongly
recommend that you use HP computing equipment in accordance with
established ergonomic principles and recommendations. Scientific
literature suggests that there may be a relationship between injury to
soft tissues—especially in the hands and arms—and prolonged
improper use of keyboards or other equipment requiring repeated
motions of the hands and forearms. This literature also suggests that
there are many other risk factors that may increase the chance of such
injury, commonly called Repetitive Strain Injury.
What is RSI? Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI—also known as cumulative trauma
disorder or repetitive motion injury) is a type of injury where soft
tissues in the body, such as muscles, nerves, or tendons, become
irritated or inflamed. RSI has been a reported problem for those who
perform repetitive tasks such as assembly line work, meatpacking,
sewing, playing musical instruments, and computer work. RSI also has
been observed in those who frequently engage in activities such as
carpentry, knitting, housework, gardening, tennis, windsurfing and
lifting children.
What causes RSI? The specific causes of RSI have not been established. Nevertheless, the
incidence of RSI has been associated with a variety of risk factors,
including:
•
Too many uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or motion.
•
Performing an activity in an awkward or unnatural posture.
•
Maintaining static posture for prolonged periods.
•
Failing to take frequent short breaks.
•
Other environmental and psychosocial factors.
gap.bk : wic-chap.fb4 Page 52 Friday, January 15, 1999 5:03 PM
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