1.(a)
Briefly describe the differences between physiology and perception.
[6 marks, Seen problem]
Perception relates to the physical senses. The term is used to describe the way in
which information is received from external stimuli in the environment. Physiology
refers to the physical profile of the user's body. Average height, weight, reach are all
important physiological characteristics.
(b) What is RSI and why is it an increasing problem for computer users?
[10 marks, Bookwork, seen problem]
RSI or repetitive stress injury is an increasing problem for computer users because it
is the result of sustained stress on the human body. VDU use places considerable
stress upon individual users. The human body has not been adapted to sustain these
pressures over prolonged periods. For example, neck and back pains can result from
prolonged periods spent at a monitor. Wrist pains, carpal tunnel syndrome, can result
from prolonged keyboard use. These problems have increased because many users
are ignorant of the preventative measures that can be taken, such as regular breaks and
good posture. These problems have also increased because more and more people are
spending more of their working lives behind a keyboard.
(c) Briefly describe the links between high staff turnover, poor working
conditions, Health and Safety legislation and problems such as Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome.
[10 marks, Unseen problem]
Current scientific evidence, and the HSE guidelines, suggests that Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome does exist and should be taken seriously by employers.
Poor working environments can lead to high levels of staff turnover. One of the
symptoms of poor working conditions is an ignorance about health and safety
legislation. If this legislation is not followed then staff may be lost through problems
such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Good employment practices, as advocated by bodies such as the HSE, include
education in the measures that can be taken against RSI and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
In any event, one side-effect of not providing this advice may be the considerable
financial penalties that can be incurred when key staff suffer from either of these
problems. EC legislation in the form of the 'six pack' of health and safety regulations
also requires employers to actively inform their staff about the dangers of VDU use.
(d) The Johnson Corporation have been asked to perform what is called a
'human reliability assessment' of a well known company's IT department.
As a result of this study they have decided to produce a leaflet which can
be given to employees to show them what a good typing posture should
look like. Your task is to draw up a first version of this leaflet. Marks
will be awarded for diagrams indicating both good and bad posture.
[24 marks, Unseen problem]
The key things that I'll be looking for will include support for the back. The legs
should be given ample room and a foot rest may be used. The thighs must clear the
desk. The position of the monitor should ideally be 15 degrees below the horizontal
but should certainly not place undue pressure upon the user's neck. Wrists should be
held above the keyboard and a wrist 'rest' might be provided - although this should not
be used as a 'rest'. Document holders might also be shown to indicate support for
secondary tasks.