Ergonomics is NOT a pseudoscience. Current ergonomic standards are well established and understood. They can be applied to ANY office worker, regardless of height or shape. I remember seeing books on typing technique from the 70's that demonstrated the same sitting and arm and head position as currently reccommended.
And speaking of cost/benefit analysis, I could hire a desperate immigrant to assemble dynamite in my backyard for $5/hour. If he makes $10,000 worth of dynamite before he blows himself up, and I've only paid him $1,000, I've made a profit!!! The COST of training him and providing safety equipment may well outweigh the BENEFIT, since I can just sweep up his remains and hire a new one.
Does this plan pass your ethical test? Why or why not? How is it different, except in severity, than ignoring and/or neglecting REAL and SEVERE ergonomic hazards for one's office employees, with the knowledge that existing legal protection and compensation are comparatively inexpensive?
That's the way it is NOW. Worker's Compensation insurance, though expensive for blue-collar workers, is cheap for office workers. Even a person who is totally crippled by RSI can't expect more than $50K for the loss of the use of their arms. In most cases, the employer's insurance would pay it. The cost of training, new equipment, and most of all, allowing sufficient break time would be much greater. That's why companies DON'T DO IT CURRENTLY!
And that's why we need the government to force them to.
Poor, poor start-ups. They can't compete unless they can burn through employees like firewood. In case you didn't know, the rate of work-related death in the US was VERY much higher before OSHA was established. Sure, they micro-manage too much, but the alternative is the free market. And the free market has NO respect for a worker's health or well-being. Easy enough for you to say "They can just quit and get a new job." What if all the jobs have the same hazards? What good does it do then to have the freedom to quit? You WILL end up paying for a worker crippled by RSI. Either through increased cost to business or social services and medical care for people who can't work anymore. The main thrust of OSHA regulation is TRAINING, and that is the main thing that is missing from the current office workplace. If people are trained in proper ergonomics, and empowered to demand the equipment they need, they will do much better overall. I don't need to justify my opinion by saying that MONEY will ultimately be saved or generated by an office ergonomic standard. For me, the health of my users is justification enough. But if you need that reason; YES, it will be CHEAPER in the long run to train computer users than to pay for their rehabilitation or care. -- SuperBusTerrific
As a LAN adminsitrator and former network consultant, I am thrilled that OSHA is stepping in on the computer ergonomics front. This issue is WAY bigger than most people realize.
I personally suffer from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, due mostly to computer use. In addition, I have spoken with and consulted dozens of other computer users who have serious, debilitating back, neck, shoulder, and arm pain from incorrect sitting posture, mouse and typing technique, and workstation setup. Almost ALL of the users I support have some sort of discomfort, and without correct equipment and training, it only gets worse.
The answer for me has been taking Yoga, sitting up straight, getting the monitor level with my eyes, and NEVER using the mouse! That's right. I never touch it unless I absolutely have to.
But typical users don't know or understand why they suffer from their computer use or how to use it right. There are horror stories aplenty in the physical therapy clinics and unemployment lines. RSI injuries from poor computer ergonomics can cripple a person. Make no mistake; this issue is a TIDAL WAVE!
Those that complain about the poor companies and "why should they have to pay for someone else's problem" are the same cretins who invest in sweatshops. Ask them their opinion on child labor laws and you'll get a good idea of their ethical stance.
Hammer your supervisors! They would dispose of you like a sandwich wrapper if you get crippled and can't work for them anymore. Make them pay for training, trackballs, and decent monitors.
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Ergonomics is NOT a pseudoscience. Current ergonomic standards are well established and understood. They can be applied to ANY office worker, regardless of height or shape. I remember seeing books on typing technique from the 70's that demonstrated the same sitting and arm and head position as currently reccommended.
And speaking of cost/benefit analysis, I could hire a desperate immigrant to assemble dynamite in my backyard for $5/hour. If he makes $10,000 worth of dynamite before he blows himself up, and I've only paid him $1,000, I've made a profit!!! The COST of training him and providing safety equipment may well outweigh the BENEFIT, since I can just sweep up his remains and hire a new one.
Does this plan pass your ethical test? Why or why not? How is it different, except in severity, than ignoring and/or neglecting REAL and SEVERE ergonomic hazards for one's office employees, with the knowledge that existing legal protection and compensation are comparatively inexpensive?
That's the way it is NOW. Worker's Compensation insurance, though expensive for blue-collar workers, is cheap for office workers. Even a person who is totally crippled by RSI can't expect more than $50K for the loss of the use of their arms. In most cases, the employer's insurance would pay it. The cost of training, new equipment, and most of all, allowing sufficient break time would be much greater. That's why companies DON'T DO IT CURRENTLY!
And that's why we need the government to force them to.
-- SuperBusTerrific
Poor, poor start-ups. They can't compete unless they can burn through employees like firewood. In case you didn't know, the rate of work-related death in the US was VERY much higher before OSHA was established. Sure, they micro-manage too much, but the alternative is the free market. And the free market has NO respect for a worker's health or well-being. Easy enough for you to say "They can just quit and get a new job." What if all the jobs have the same hazards? What good does it do then to have the freedom to quit? You WILL end up paying for a worker crippled by RSI. Either through increased cost to business or social services and medical care for people who can't work anymore. The main thrust of OSHA regulation is TRAINING, and that is the main thing that is missing from the current office workplace. If people are trained in proper ergonomics, and empowered to demand the equipment they need, they will do much better overall. I don't need to justify my opinion by saying that MONEY will ultimately be saved or generated by an office ergonomic standard. For me, the health of my users is justification enough. But if you need that reason; YES, it will be CHEAPER in the long run to train computer users than to pay for their rehabilitation or care. -- SuperBusTerrific
-- SuperBusTerrific
As a LAN adminsitrator and former network consultant, I am thrilled that OSHA is stepping in on the computer ergonomics front. This issue is WAY bigger than most people realize.
I personally suffer from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, due mostly to computer use. In addition, I have spoken with and consulted dozens of other computer users who have serious, debilitating back, neck, shoulder, and arm pain from incorrect sitting posture, mouse and typing technique, and workstation setup. Almost ALL of the users I support have some sort of discomfort, and without correct equipment and training, it only gets worse.
The answer for me has been taking Yoga, sitting up straight, getting the monitor level with my eyes, and NEVER using the mouse! That's right. I never touch it unless I absolutely have to.
But typical users don't know or understand why they suffer from their computer use or how to use it right. There are horror stories aplenty in the physical therapy clinics and unemployment lines. RSI injuries from poor computer ergonomics can cripple a person. Make no mistake; this issue is a TIDAL WAVE!
Those that complain about the poor companies and "why should they have to pay for someone else's problem" are the same cretins who invest in sweatshops. Ask them their opinion on child labor laws and you'll get a good idea of their ethical stance.
Hammer your supervisors! They would dispose of you like a sandwich wrapper if you get crippled and can't work for them anymore. Make them pay for training, trackballs, and decent monitors.
And see you in Yoga class!
-- Aaron, LAN Admin
-- An Oakland, CA law firm