Ray’s Data

In today’s competitive market, most of the jobs revolve around telephones and computers as key workstation components. Telephones are an inevitable part of the workstation because they add to the convenience of your work. Yet, this combination is very dangerous as you tend to use both the devices simultaneously which may lead to musculoskeletal disorders. The cords of the telephone can get tangled up hence causing the user to assume awkward postures.

Telephone Quick Tips

• If your job involves speaking over the phone for a long time, do use a speakerphone.
• Ensure that the speakerphone is close to you so that you don’t have to reach it every time, which in turn causes strain.

Probable Risks in Placement and Use

If the telephone is placed too far away from the user, it causes strain on the shoulder, arm, and neck due to repeated reaching.

Feasible Solutions

• Let your telephone be placed in the primary or secondary work zone, depending on usage patterns. Thus you can avoid reaching it repeatedly, reducing the possibility of injury.
• Ensure that the cord of your telephone is out of the work area so that it does not create a tripping hazard.

Probable Risk

Some users do not want to waste their time when they have to use the phone while working on the computer. Hence they keep the phone pinched between their head and shoulder thus talking over the phone and working on the computer simultaneously. This may cause stress on the neck and especially the ears as they are pressed between the head and shoulders during the entire conversation.

Feasible Solution

If you have to spend a lot of time on the phone while using the computer, it is ideal to use a “hands-free” headset. If your co-workers do not have a problem, speakerphone is yet another appropriate solution provided the volume is adjusted for your audibility only.

Telephone Recipe

1. Always use a telephone with a “hands free” headset if your job at the workstation involves more of manual tasks such as typing so that you don’t strain your neck and head while doing both the tasks simultaneously.
2. Use a telephone that has a “hands-free” feature.
3. Ensure that your “hands-free” headsets have volume control options.

Other Related Posts:

• Healthy Computing Guide : Positioning Your Body
• Healthy Computing Guide : Prolonged Periods of Activity
• Healthy Computing Guide : Positioning Of The Monitor
• Healthy Computing Guide : Document Holders and Desk
• Healthy Computing Guide : Chairs