Q&A Computer Screen Ergonomics

Q&A Computer Screen Ergonomics

Q: What can someone do to make working with the computer screen more comfortable?

A: Tom Albin, professional ergonomist with Auburn Engineers Inc., headquartered in Auburn, Ala. [Web site: www.ergopage.com], an ergonomics consulting firm, had this to say regarding the question:

To find comfort while working in front of the computer screen, one of the first things that comes to mind is that agents and customer service representatives talk a lot over the phone to people while doing computer work.

One of the things that would be beneficial for them is to use telephone headsets. Holding the phone against the shoulder gives the user a sore neck. Headset styles vary, so anyone worried about messing-up their hair can get sets with ear buttons. Or if the user walks around a lot, there are wireless and quick disconnect sets available.

Getting the computer monitor at the right height is very important. For the typical user, the screen should be be at or slightly below eye level.

People should wear eyeglasses specifically intended for use at the computer. The prime thing for the computer user to do is to tell the optometrist how far away he or she sits from the screen. There are all sorts of eyeglass solutions, but my personal solution is a single correction lens. One drawback is that if you want to look at the clock across the room you might have to switch glasses. Some people like a bifocal set-up to view the computer screen that allows them to look at distances.

To cut down glare on the screen, or the veiling reflection that can cause eyestrain and headaches, users should consider glare screens approved by the American Optometric Association.

Finally, the monitor should be in good shape. When the monitor becomes old, the characters can get a little fuzzy or the contrast can be lost.

And keep the character size legible. Use the 007 rule. Whatever distance you sit away from the screen, the character height should be seven-thousandths times that viewing distance.

Got a question on agency technology? E-mail it to Ara Trembly (atrembly@nuco.com) or Mark Ruquet (mruquet@nuco.com).

Reproduced from National Underwriter Edition, March 10, 2003. Copyright 2003 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved. Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.