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Staring at a screen for long periods of time can lead to physical complaints ranging from RSI to eye problems known as computer eyes. In this blog, we dive into the importance of a well-appointed workplace and getting regular exercise to reduce health risks. Discover practical tips and important legal insights that will help you stay both productive and healthy in the digital world.
Monitor work is work that is done using monitors. For example, an office worker who works at a computer for his or her job. Screen-based devices that are not an integral part of the workplace, such as a cell phone, are not included.
Screen work involves repetitive movements of the fingers and hands, as well as static strain on the neck, shoulders and arms. This can lead to the development of CANS (Complaints of Arm, Neck and Shoulder or RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury). In addition, screen work can lead to eye and stress complaints.
Display screens are used in almost all businesses. Prolonged (more than 6 hours per day), work with a monitor can cause health complaints. Therefore, the risk of health complaints due to monitor work is present in almost all sectors. It is therefore wise not to exceed the limit of 6 hours per day to reduce the risk of these complaints.
The TNO factsheet VDU work shows that 45% of the Dutch do at least six hours of VDU work a day. Of the Corona home workers this is even 89% and most do not take regular breaks, only 36% do so. 43% of home workers have suffered from RSI/CANS complaints in the past year. These include pain in the neck, shoulders, back, arms or hands.
Preventing physical complaints and dropout also requires attention to the workplace. It must be easily adjustable and, more importantly, invite movement.
Unfortunately, the occasional jog or visit to the gym is insufficient if you spend the rest of the day mostly sitting. Even if you are very active, you may still have a higher risk of health problems if you spend a lot of time sitting. Only daily, intense exercise can counteract the harmful effects of prolonged sitting. But since daily intense exercise is not for everyone, it can be easier: make sure you get moving several times a day.
In the Netherlands, the Working Conditions Act, better known as the Arbowet, is in force. This law imposes an obligation on employers to proactively ensure a safe and healthy working environment for employees.
If the employee is involved in screen work, the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that you offer this employee an occupational health examination. The purpose of this examination is to identify the health risks in the workplace. After this examination, you can take follow-up steps to promote health and safety. This may include adapting the work environment or providing tools to help reduce symptoms.
This law places an obligation on employers to proactively provide a safe and healthy work environment for employees.
It is important to closely follow the guidelines of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to ensure the health and well-being of employees. Proper compliance with this law contributes not only to employee productivity and satisfaction, but also to a positive work culture.
Our life is no longer imaginable without the computer. But when we look at the screen a lot, we can suffer from eye strain. Mirrors, reflections, low contrast and blurred images make reading from a screen very strenuous for the eyes. We also tend to blink our eyes less when looking at a screen. When this causes symptoms, we call it computer eyes.
The symptoms are usually temporary in nature. A few blinks can often solve the problems. But the complaints can also become structural. If a person has sore eyes, fatigue and headaches for an extended period of time, this - combined with other complaints and illnesses - can lead to failure.
A good workplace is different for everyone, but it must be set up the right way.
These six tips will help you optimize your workstation for monitor work:
The Occupational Health and Safety Decree sets the guideline that screen work must be alternated after 2 hours. In this way, the aim is to ensure that you ire not sitting in front of your monitor all day.
After looking close for 20 minutes, take a break to look far away for 20 seconds AND spend at least 2 hours a day outside.
Screen glasses with correction ensure clear vision on your computer, tablet or smartphone, regardless of your eye strength. Thanks to the specially designed lens, your eyes do not have to work as hard, reducing fatigue. Moreover, the glasses help you adopt a relaxed posture while using screens, which increases your working comfort, whether you work at home or at the office. Thus, screen glasses are an excellent choice to prevent or reduce physical discomfort.
There is no such thing as computer glasses without prescription. Non-powered computer glasses are blue light filter glasses.
A monitor emits light, including blue light. This light is also found in daylight and in the light from LED bulbs. Blue light is not harmful, but it can make prolonged viewing of a computer screen less comfortable.
Blue light filter glasses allow your eyes to experience more rest when looking at a computer screen. The glasses feature a filter that blocks some of the blue light from a screen, providing more comfortable vision. This is especially nice if you spend several hours a day working behind a screen.
Better Behind e Screens (BAS) is a checklist from TNO to help companies and employees use screens to organize their work in a healthy way. The checklist is easy to apply; most questions are yes-no questions. It is intended for employees who spend an average of more than two hours a day behind a screen. The results of the assessment indicate whether the work poses health risks and what specific recommendations and areas for improvement can lower your risk. It also provides general tips that are useful for anyone to consider.
Employers provide the framework conditions and employees make daily decisions about their work performance in the workplace, both consciously and unconsciously. These include preparing the workspace, taking breaks, using available resources and identifying bottlenecks. To make these decisions appropriately and in a "consciously healthy" manner, it is necessary to be aware of the risks of one's own situation and have an understanding of the solutions. The goal of BAS is to help employees do this by making them aware of their personal risks and suggestions for improvement appropriate to those risks.
It can be used to evaluate work done behind a monitor screen. Since most screen work is done sitting down, the checklist also takes into account the hazards associated with prolonged sitting. And the checklist evaluates screen time relevant to work in general.
In leisure time, it is also common to spend a lot of time behind screens. It is important to be aware of the same risks that apply to using screens in private circumstances. Therefore, even outside working hours, make sure there is enough variety, a suitable workplace at home, and stay alert to the first signs of possible complaints.
The BAS checklist can be found on the TNO website.
At Seeh, we're here to help you find the perfect display glasses. Check out our display glasses page for more information or contact us directly.
When you order prescription screen glasses from Seeh, you can use the service at any Hans Anders store near you. Seeh works exclusively with Hans Anders to make hearing and vision affordable and safe for everyone.
We provide companies with appropriate eye and hearing protection. In cooperation with Hans Anders, we offer free consultation and a simple ordering process.
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