Worksheet _2

Instructions for the Group Exploration
Let’s investigate health and safety issues related to ICT

• You will be working in three groups with the following topics assigned randomly across the groups.
o Bodies and sitting
o Correct posture
o Fitting the right chair
o Position of the System and Computer slump
o Keyboarding and mousing using fingers
o Straight Shot
o Squeeze Play
o Natural Curve
o Eye strains
o Monitor position
o Blinding Light Washout
o Break Away
• Study the reading material provided to understand the topic well.
• Reflect on your prior experiences on the topic to make a brief presentation to the small groups.
• Listen to the presentations made by your peers to collect ideas.
• Write down the key points relevant to the topics discussed with your peers.
• Be prepared to make an innovative whole class presentation.

10

Have regular eyesight checks.

9

Take exercise breaks after a prolonged spell of typing and using a mouse. Stretching aids blood flow and helps break up the effects of static postures.

8

Take regular breaks. A 5-10 minute break for every hour at a workstation will help. This does not need to be a break from work - do some work away from the workstation. Small breaks from the screen such as collecting printed work also help.

7

If you spend a lot of time reading from source documents or copy typing place a document holder beside the screen.

6

Arrange your desk and equipment to minimise the amount of bending, twisting and stretching. Frequently used items should be accessible without overreaching.

5

Adjust your keyboard so that your desk supports your wrists and forearms, and the angle feels comfortable during use. Your forearms, wrists and hands should form a straight line. Position your keyboard so that you do not have to overreach to use it. Documents should not be placed between you and the keyboard.

4

Adjust the viewing angle of the screen to minimise reflections and glare.

Adjust your screen position so that your eyes look down on it slightly (the top of the screen just below eye level).

ICT2

Adjust the angle and height of your backrest to support your lower back. Adjust the tilt of your seat so that your body is inclined slightly forward. This encourages you to sit upright and keep your back straight.

ICT Healthy and saftey

Adjust your chair height to a position that allows your arms to be parallel with the floor when you type. If you cannot now comfortably place your feet flat on the floor, speak to your teacher.