1. HEALTH AND COMFORT
OCTOBER 28, 2010
PAGE 1
The word ergonomics
means laws of (nomos)
work (ergon).
Ergonomics is the
science of adapting
the job and/or the
equipment and the
human to each other
for optimal safety and
productivity.
Computers are a
major area where
ergonomics is
relevant. Other areas
are automobiles,
cockpits,
machinery and
factories.
-2010,Answers:Ergonomics
How to Make You Comfortable
Ergonomics
Have you heard of the word
ergonomics? Ergonomics is a
science that helps people do
their jobs or use their tools
comfortably and safely.
Being comfortable while using
your computer is important.
Having good posture while at
your computer workstation will
allow your body to be
comfortable. So practice your
ergonomics, and stay in a
healthy comfort zone.
http://www.freemindworks.com/?
p=185
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/
article-1G1-169989069/comfort-
zone-ergonomics-brief.html

2. HEALTH AND COMFORT
OCTOBER 28, 2010
PAGE 2
Causes of repetitive strain
•An overuse of the muscles
on a continued repetitive basis
•Cold temperatures
•Vibrating equipment
•Forceful activities
•Poor posture or a badly
organized work area that is not
ergonomically sound
•Holding the same posture
on a continuous basis
•Prolonged periods of work
without a break
•Stress has been proven to
increase the incidence of repetitive
strain injuries
•Direct pressure or a blow
to the body
•Carrying heavy loads on a
repeated basis
•Fatigue
RSI STATISTICS
Bad hand & wrist position
Bad posture - hunched
over, eyes too close to screen
Repetitive strain injuries are the
nation's most common of all
types, account for up to 60% of
all reported occupational
illnesses.
Injuries diagnosed as carpal
tunnel syndrome are the
lengthiest absence reported
for any major type of job-
related injury or illness, at
approximately 30 days.
The Journal of the American Medical
Association April 17, 1991: after carpal
tunnel surgery, 57% report return of some
preoperative symptoms, most commonly
pain.
It's been reported that NIOSH had forecast
some years ago that 50% of the work
force may suffer from RSIs by the year
2000. If you bring up the subject with
almost anyone, you can see that it might
have come true... it's hard not to
encounter someone who's had a problem
or knows someone who did.
Carpal tunnel
release operations
are the second most
common surgical
procedure in the
U.S.
RSI is the the most costly
occupational health
problem, costing more
than $20 billion a year.
http://cupe.ca/health-and-safety/rsiday2005
http://www.repetitivestraininjury.org.uk/causes-
of-rsi.html
http://funtothinkabout.com/

3. HEALTH AND COMFORT
OCTOBER 28, 2010
PAGE 3
Engineering: Robots In The Classroom
FAIRFAX, VA (Ivanhoe Newswire)
-- While computers have taken
over the classroom, kids still
spend most of their day putting
pen to paper. Despite that, 10
million children in the U.S qualify
for therapy due to illegible
handwriting. Now, a video game
and a dash of robotic know how
may be moving penmanship to
the top of the class.
“It feels like the robot is actually
dragging my hand.” Ethan Betts
told Ivanhoe.
Now, they’re in the classroom
helping kids like Ethan patch-up
their penmanship.
“It was kind of just a slop so my
teacher she got really mad all the
time.” Betts said.
This tabletop robot dubbed “my
scrivener” uses rehabilitation
science to correct motor skills in
kids. Studies show kids spend 30
to 60% of class time writing, but
up to 20% have handwriting
issues, meaning poor speed and
legibility.
“This is one of the first times …
that we have a device that drives
ink.” Dr. Sue Palso said.
At George Mason University,
doctor Sue Palsbo adapted a
video gaming unit…type in a
word and a robotic arm with pen
guides the user in writing the
same word over and over. She
actually developed the device for
occupational therapists and to
help her daughter.
“She was actually not doing very
well in school because the
teachers couldn’t read her
answers." Dr. Palso said.
“My scrivener” records data 100
times per second, so
improvement can be
documented, and at around 800
bucks, the goal is to put one in
every classroom.
“There was really an opportunity
to see rapid progress.” Pam
Hood-Szivek, Otr/L from Corvallis
Children’s Therapy said.
The proof is in Ethan, from
screen to pen to paper, he’s on a
new path.
“I’m actually forgetting the old
way.” Betts said.
Doctor Palsbo is now entering the
second round of trials for this
device funded by the U.S
government. Her goal now is to
quantify the progress made with
“my scrivener”.
The Human Factors and
Ergonomics Society contributed
to the information contained in
the TV portion of this report
Feugiat: Duis aute in voluptate veli
Liber: Pruca beynocguon doas no
nam liber te conscient to factor tum.
http://www.ivanhoe.com/science/story/2010/10/774a.html
http://www.rhododendrites.com/blog/post.php?blogid=26
Penmanship robots
now only for 120
kuai!
Guaranteed to improve
your handwriting in 2- 3
months or money back
guarantee!
Call 1-800-
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now for your own Penmanship
robot!

4. EORUM CLARITATEM VESTIG ATIONES
OCTOBER 25, 2010
Computer game play 'aids health'
Computer
games can
improve
children's health
despite research
showing
excessive
playing causes
aggression in
the young, a
new study
claims.
Nottingham Trent University professor Mark Griffiths said
they can be a powerful distraction for youngsters
undergoing painful cancer treatment.
He also argues games can help develop social skills for
children with attention disorders including autism.
Mr Griffith's claims are made in the British Medical Journal
out on Friday.
The professor of gambling studies at Nottingham Trent
University said more research must be done into both the
positive and negative effects of gaming.
'Research trivialised'
"Although playing video games is one of the most popular
leisure activities in the world, research into its effects on
players, both positive and negative, is often trivialised.
"Some of this research deserves to be taken seriously, not
least because video game playing has implications for
health."
He added that studies reported distracted patients had less
nausea and lower blood pressure than controls who were
simply asked to rest after treatment.
'Study addiction'
Adverse effects - included aggressiveness, auditory
hallucinations, repetitive strain injuries and obesity - have
also been reported, but firm evidence is lacking, according
to Mr Griffiths.
He said: "On balance, there is little evidence that moderate
frequency of play has serious adverse effects, but more
evidence is needed on excessive play and on defining what
constitutes excess in the first place.
"There should also be long-term studies of the course of
video game addiction."
Bibliography
• "Easily share a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers with different operating
systems without special hardware. | FreeMindWorks.com." FreeMindWorks - Ingenious, Powerful,
Fluid Thinking. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.freemindworks.com/?p=185>.
• "Article: Comfort zone.(ergonomics)(Brief article)." Access My Library - Promoting library advocacy.
N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-169989069/comfort-
zone-ergonomics-brief.html>.
• "Fight repetitive strain injuries: Annual International RSI Awareness Day < Health and safety | CUPE."
Canadian Union of Public Employees | CUPE. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2010. <http://cupe.ca/health-
and-safety/rsiday2005>.
• "Causes of repetitive strain injury." Repetitive Strain Injury. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2010. <http://
www.repetitivestraininjury.org.uk/causes-of-rsi.html>.