English for Informatics 1: Seventh Edition

UNIT 8
Workstation Health and Safety

Picture 8.1

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the lesson, the students are expected to be able to use appropriate
English to:
▪ identify work health and safety problems and provide their solutions.

▪ identify and make rules for using company computer and computer
laboratory.

▪ write a set of rules or procedures for using computer at computer

laboratory.

▪ use appropriate modals for giving advice to the work health and safety
issues.

▪ create a poster with slogan campaigning about work health and safety
issues.

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Exercise 1: Work in groups. Make a list of computer health and safety problems

that you have ever found at our computer laboratory or while you are studying at

it.

Exercise 2: Look at the picture below. What computer health and safety issues

that you see? Write down as many issues as possible.

1. _____________________________________________________.

2. _____________________________________________________.

3. _____________________________________________________.

4. _____________________________________________________.

5. _____________________________________________________.

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Exercise 3: Look at these pictures. Match pictures A-F to dangers 1-6 in the leaflet
below. Then match dangers 1-6 to the pieces of advice a-f.

Safety at Work

Dangers  Advice √
1. backache a. Move the cables.
2. electric shock b. Don’t bend your back while sitting at a desk.
3. RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) c. Let it cool down.
4. trips and fall d. Unplug.
5. short circuit e. Keep your wrists straight.
6. burns f. Don’t spill your drink.

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Exercise 4: Read the following text and answer the questions.

Computer ergonomics
There are a number of health and safety problems that may result from continuous use of
computers.
• Typing constantly at high speed may provoke repetitive strain injury or RSI, which causes pain in the
neck, arms, wrists, hands and fingers
• Bad work postures and sitting in uncomfortable chairs may cause backache and stress
• Looking at the screen for long periods of time, and lights reflecting off the screen, can cause
headaches and eye strain, pain and fatigue of the eyes.
• Cathode Ray Tube monitors can emit electromagnetic radiation which can be dangerous 10 health.

The study of how people interact safely and efficiently with machines and their work conditions is called
ergonomics. In computing, ergonomics is about designing computer facilities so they are safe and
comfortable. Here are a few tips:
• Get an adjustable chair so you can change its height and angle
• Make sure your feet rest firmly on the ground or on a foot rest.
• Ensure you have enough leg room under the desk.
• Put the monitor at eye level or just below
• Sit at arms' length from the monitor (40-80 cm). Don't sit near the sides or back of CRT monitors; or
use LCD screens, which are free from radiation.
• Use a document holder, in line with the screen, to reduce awkward neck and eye movements
between the document and the screen
• Position the keyboard at the same height as your elbows, with your arms parallel to the work
surface. Try to keep your wrists straight and flat when typing.
• Take regular breaks from the computer and look away from the screen at regular intervals

Electronic rubbish
Irresponsible disposal of electronic waste, from old computers and mobile phones to hi-fi and video
systems, can cause severe environmental and public health problems. For example, children or workers
who come into contact with the toxic components of electronic products may suffer from skin and
breathing problems.
• We should recycle or treat ICT equipment (e.g. plastics from mobiles could be used to make pens and
rulers).
• Manufacturers should pay to finance recycling programs.

The risks of using mobiles and in-car computers

Frequent use of mobile phones has been the cause of concern and there is ongoing research into
whether radiation emitted causes health problems.
A serious risk is the use of mobiles and navigation systems in cars; this can distract the driver and cause
accidents.
• Don't use your mobile while driving

Another health problem is Internet addiction, including obsessive game playing, gambling, ctc.
• If you are an Internet addict, you should ask for help from specialists.

Professional English in Use ICT, pp.30

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Complete the sentences with words from the text above.

1. Experts believe the best way to reduce musculoskeletal injuries is through

______ - designing jobs to fit people instead of making people fit the job. It can

mean everything from adjusting the height of a desk to buying a new chair or

overhauling a production line.

2. The Safetype ergonomic keyboard may look strange, but its makers claim that

it can prevent _________ or RSI.

3. Visual problems, such as ________ and irritation, are often reported by

computer users. Causes of these problems include glare, poor lighting, and

focusing the eyes on the screen for a prolonged period.

4. Some companies have begun to test ways to _______ and dispose of _______.

For example, Epson Portland sponsored an electronics collection day this year

on Earth Day.

5. Road safety campaigners say motorists using ________ while driving are six

time more likely to crash.

6. When a person is spending so much time on the Internet that their lives are

affected negatively, they are suffering from __________.

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Exercise 5: Label this diagram with the advice 1-8.

1. There should be clearance under the work surface.

2. You should have your feet flat on the floor.
3. Make sure your forearms and hands are in a straight line.
4. Your lower back should be supported.
5. Your screen should be positioned to avoid reflected glare.
6. Keep your shoulders relaxed.
7. You should have your thighs tilted slightly.
8. Make sure the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level.

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Read about expressions used for giving advice and declaring prohibition.

Giving Advice

A strong recommendation (we use You should keep your shoulder relaxed
this to give advice) while you are working on your
computer.
Declaring Prohibition
A rule or requirement (we use this You must not put your glass on the
when it is necessary not to do this or keybord.
to tell someone not to do something).
You are not allowed/permitted to
touch these cable when your hand is
wet.

Exercise 6: Listen carefully then complete the sentences below.

1. You musn’t ______________________________________________.

2. You musn’t ______________________________________________.

3. You aren’t _______________________________________________.

4. We aren’t ________________________________________________.

5. You shouldn’t ____________________________________________.

Exercise 7: Go back to exercise 3. Write sentences using the above expression.

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Exercise 8: Read this list of rules for using a company computer. Which ones do you
follow? Why?

COMPUTER
DOS AND DON’T

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Exercise 9: Write down the computer rules/regulations that you know regarding
the use of the computer and the computer laboratory at your college. Use the
expressions you have learned on exercise 6-8.

Exercise 10: Read the following text about Exercise at your Computer. Answer the
questions that follows.
Neck/Shoulders Stretch Up: Sit up straight and imagine a cable
attached to the top of your head. Gradually
Neck Rotation: Slowly rotate your head as far stretch to be as tall as possible, hold for a few
as comfortable to the right, then left. seconds, then relax.
Shoulder Rotation: Circle your shoulders, then
reverse directions. Arms
Head Side to Side: Bend your neck so left ear Arm Relaxation: Drop your arms and hands to
approaches left shoulder, then repeat for your sides. Gently shake them for a few
right. Add a little resistance by pressing your seconds.
hand against the side of your head. Arm Rotation: Raise your arms in front of
Chin Tuck: Slide your chin inward, without your body. Rotate arms so palms face up,
bending your neck up or down. This is easiest then rotate so backs of hands face each other.
to practice initially against a wall. Tuck chin in,
attempting to touch back of neck to the wall Feet
while also maintaining head contact. Don't jam Toe Curl: Flex toes up, then curl toes under.
your chin down to your chest. Release.
Shoulder Blade Retraction: Pull your shoulders Foot Rotation: Circle foot slowly from the
down and back. ankle, then reverse.
Shrug: Slowly raise your shoulders toward ears
and hold for a few seconds. Gradually bring Eyes
shoulders down and relax.
Eye Rolls: Roll your eyes clockwise then
Hands/Wrists counterclockwise briefly.
Palm Eyes: Without touching your eyes, cup
Wrist Flex: With your elbows on desk, gently hands lightly over eyes for 30 seconds to rest
use left hand to bend right hand back toward them from light.
forearm. Hold for a few seconds, then relax. Look Away: Exercise your eyes by periodically
Repeat on other side. looking away from your computer to focus on
Finger Fan: Spread your fingers as far apart as distant objects.
possible, hold, then clench fists, then release.
Back

Shoulder Squeeze: Raise your arms in front of

body, with elbows bent and thumbs up. Pull
elbows back, squeezing shoulder blades
together. Hold for a few seconds then release.

Adopted from: https://www.uhs.umich.edu/computerergonomics#exercise

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1. What is the best title for this text?

2. How many body parts can you do the exercise with to protect your body
from strains and pain? What are they?
3. Mention some ways that you can do to decrease the chance of getting sore
eyes during working long hours.
4. What is Finger Fan?
5. How would you do an Arm Relaxation?

Exercise 11: Create a cathy safety slogan that promotes Workstattion Health and
Safety. You can use the data you have from Exercise 1 to help you give some more
ideas. Here are some slogan samples for you.

Exercise 12: Imagine you are designing an ICT classroom with 16 networked PCs,
Internet access and peripherals. What safety precautions should be taken into
account? Use these notes to help you write four tips or suggestions.
1. Room conditions (space, desks, chairs, lights and windows).
2. Ergonomic devices.
3. Electrical safety: layout of cables and connectors, hotspots for a wireless
network, etc.
4. Notice Boards and posters with health and safety recommendations.

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