I Am a Small Girl in a Big World Looking for Recognition
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT
Working in the office environment for three years, I had been experiencing the serious effect of Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS), as is exampled by a study in the UK which found that 75% of laptop users who used a laptop for four hours or more a day reported back pain. With the desire to have a thorough understanding, I have been motivated to have a research on this matter.
OOS (also known as Repetitive Strain Injury) is simply a term used for a range of condition characterized by discomfort of pain in the muscles, tendons or other soft tissues (Harvey, S. (2002) p.29). Symptoms of OOS could vary depending on the person, the site and severity of injury and the nature of the tasks undertaken. However, you should pay more attention to if you have several warning signs like pain, muscle weakness, swelling, numbness, restricted mobility of the joint or loss of function as you are likely in the early stage of OSS. Changes to workplace design and practices can alleviate or prevent the condition.
In workplace, OOS covers numerous tasks that involve repetitive or forceful movement and/ or maintenance of constrained or awkward postures. OHS hazards could be recognized as poor work organization and workstation layout, badly designed computer hardware/ software and badly designed office furniture. Identifying the hazards, the best way to control the risks is to follow the safety procedures which might be to minimize repetitive tasks, take regular rest and stretch breaks or to maintain correct postures and vary them often and so on. Depending on your specific job nature, you could take different actions to better manage the symptoms.
(Source: http://www.mydr.com.au/pain/office-ergonomics-workstation-comfort-and-safety)
For the office workers, few people know that their job is ranked as the high-risk job. An Australian study conducted by Comcare, for example, surveyed 2,000 ACT government workers with alarming results.
Working in the office environment for three years, I had been experiencing the serious effect of Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS), as is exampled by a study in the UK which found that 75% of laptop users who used a laptop for four hours or more a day reported back pain. With the desire to have a thorough understanding, I have been motivated to have a research on this matter.
OOS (also known as Repetitive Strain Injury) is simply a term used for a range of condition characterized by discomfort of pain in the muscles, tendons or other soft tissues (Harvey, S. (2002) p.29). Symptoms of OOS could vary depending on the person, the site and severity of injury and the nature of the tasks undertaken. However, you should pay more attention to if you have several warning signs like pain, muscle weakness, swelling, numbness, restricted mobility of the joint or loss of function as you are likely in the early stage of OSS. Changes to workplace design and practices can alleviate or prevent the condition.
In workplace, OOS covers numerous tasks that involve repetitive or forceful movement and/ or maintenance of constrained or awkward postures. OHS hazards could be recognized as poor work organization and workstation layout, badly designed computer hardware/ software and badly designed office furniture. Identifying the hazards, the best way to control the risks is to follow the safety procedures which might be to minimize repetitive tasks, take regular rest and stretch breaks or to maintain correct postures and vary them often and so on. Depending on your specific job nature, you could take different actions to better manage the symptoms.
(Source: http://www.mydr.com.au/pain/office-ergonomics-workstation-comfort-and-safety)
For the office workers, few people know that their job is ranked as the high-risk job. An Australian study conducted by Comcare, for example, surveyed 2,000 ACT government workers with alarming results.
Bibliography: 1. Occupational Overuse Syndrome, viewed 23 May 2012, <http://jobaccess.gov.au/Advice/Disability/pages/Occupational_Overuse_Synd.aspx> 2. Ergonomics Australia, The continuing problem of OOS in the office, viewed 23 May 2012, <http://ergonomics.uq.edu.au/eaol/phillips.pdf> 3. Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS), viewed 29 May 2012, <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/safe@work/modules/office/overuse.asp> 4. Office ergonomics: workstation comfort and safety, viewed 30 May 2012, <http://www.mydr.com.au/pain/office-ergonomics-workstation-comfort-and-safety> 5. Workplace safety – overuse injuries, viewed 29 May 2012, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Workplace_safety_overuse_injuries> 6. Dan Kaufman, The Hidden Plague, Sydney Morning Herald, December 2001, <http://www.ergonomicoffice.com.au/images/EO%20hidden%20plague.pdf> 7. Desk job a killer: study, viewed 27 May 2012, <http://m.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/desk-jobs-a-killer-study-20110929-1kygk.html> 8. Beware of the chair, viewed 27 May 2012, <http://www.theage.com.au/executive-style/management/beware-of-the-chair-20100303-pj4g.html> 9. Occupational Overuse Syndrome, viewed 30 May 2012, <http://www.actsafe.act.gov.au/modules/mod4_3.cfm> 10. OHS Act, Regulations & Code, viewed 29 May 2012, <http://www.comcare.gov.au/laws__and__regulations/ohs_act,_regulations__and__code>