Health problems from using IT equipment Cambridge IGCSE Information & Communication Technology revision
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In plain words
Sitting at a screen all day looks harmless. It is not. Four health problems come up in every exam, and each has its own cause and its own remedy.
4 things to know
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI): pain in the wrists and fingers, caused by repeating the same movements, such as typing or clicking. Prevent it with regular breaks, a wrist rest, an ergonomic keyboard and voice input.
- Back and neck problems: caused by sitting in one position for a long time, or with poor posture. Prevent them with an adjustable chair that supports the back, a screen at eye level, a foot rest and regular breaks.
- Eye problems: eye strain and dry eyes, caused by staring at a screen for a long time, especially in poor light. Prevent them by looking away regularly, using an anti-glare screen, and having eye tests.
- Headaches: caused by glare, flicker, a screen that is too bright or too dim, or long sessions without a break. Prevent them with good lighting, an anti-glare screen and regular breaks.
Worked example
A data entry clerk types for seven hours a day and has pain in her wrists. Name the problem and suggest two ways to reduce it.
- Pain in the wrists from repeated typing is repetitive strain injury.
- She should take regular breaks from typing.
- She could use a wrist rest or an ergonomic keyboard.
Tips and tricks
- Match the cause to the problem and the remedy to the cause. A wrist rest does not help eye strain.
- When a question says the answers must be different, do not use "take regular breaks" for every one.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Health problems from using IT equipment: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
What causes repetitive strain injury?
It affects the wrists and fingers.
Which would help to prevent back problems?
Good posture needs a chair that fits the user.
Which health problem is most likely from staring at a screen in poor light?
The eyes are working too hard.
Which helps to prevent RSI?
It supports the wrists while typing.
What is the purpose of an anti-glare screen?
It cuts reflections from lights and windows.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
2 questions, 5 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Health problems from using IT equipment
Cambridge IGCSE Information & Communication Technology 0417 · 5 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
State two causes of back problems for a computer user.[2]
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Sitting in the same position for a long time. Sitting with poor posture, or in a chair that does not support the back.
Identify one health problem caused by staring at a screen for long periods and give two ways of preventing it.[3]
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Eye strain. Take regular breaks and look away from the screen. Use an anti-glare screen. (Also: make sure the lighting is good.)
Answers: Health problems from using IT equipment
- 1. Sitting in the same position for a long time. Sitting with poor posture, or in a chair that does not support the back.
- 2. Eye strain. Take regular breaks and look away from the screen. Use an anti-glare screen. (Also: make sure the lighting is good.)