HEALTH, work safety and the environment or K3LH are the first aspects that must be paid attention to every time you carry out activities, including when working with computers. Research has revealed that working with computers for long periods of time can cause health and even safety problems.
What should you pay attention to when working using a computer? The following is the explanation as quoted from the textbook Computer and Network Basics for SMK/MAK Class X with writer Hanifah Wijayanti and publisher CV Putra Nugraha.
Health problems
Not many people are aware of the impact of using computers. The problem in question is a long, continuous illness or injury. Research that has been conducted concludes that computer users can suffer from headaches, muscle pain and bone pain, especially the shoulders, wrists, neck, back and lower waist.
In addition, using computers for a long time and continuously can cause symptoms of other diseases such as tingling, swelling, stiff limbs, kidney pain, and eye diseases such as red, watery eyes, pain, and even vision problems.
Body position, position of computer equipment, lighting, room and environmental conditions greatly influence health, safety and comfort when working on a computer. From a work safety perspective, it is important to note that computers that are used and connected to high voltage electricity can trigger the risk of electric shock. For this reason, arrange the electrical cables in such a way as to avoid electric shock. Apart from that, you must pay attention to the cables for the possibility of short circuits which can cause fires and damage computer equipment.
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One of the computer equipment that has the potential to cause health problems is the monitor. The health problem that is thought to arise due to the computer tradition is cataracts. For this reason, every computer user must set time to play on the computer. If you have to work in front of a computer for a long period of time, try to set breaks so you don’t keep looking at the monitor screen. Apart from the radiation caused by computer monitors, you need to pay attention to other factors that have the potential to cause health problems, namely body position, equipment position, lighting, room and environmental conditions.
Which must be considered
a. Computer room.
1. The size of the computer room is adjusted to the number of computers.
2. The distance between computer desks should be adjusted to around 1.5 meters to the front and back and 1 meter to the side.
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3. Install electrical installations neatly embedded in the floor or wall.
4. The room is always clean. Don’t let dust particles enter the computer, especially on the processor chip. The thicker the dust particles, the more resistance heat effects the processor will suffer. As a result the processor will burn.
5. There needs to be air conditioning (AC) or at least a fan.
b. Body position.
1. The position of the head and neck must be upright with the face facing directly at the monitor screen. Do not bend your neck because it can cause headaches.
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2. Adjust the distance between your eyes and the monitor screen so that it is 46 to 47 cm. Occasionally look outside to relax your eyes.
3. The correct back position is straight, not tilted to the right or left, not hunched over, and not leaning too far backwards. Correct back position can prevent waist and back pain.
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4. Correct shoulder position, not too up and not too down. If our muscles are tense it means our position is not correct. Incorrect shoulder position will cause fatigue and muscle pain.
5. The correct position of the arms and elbows is when you can type comfortably using a mouse. When using a keyboard, our hands must be able to move freely to form a 90 degree angle.
6. The correct position of the feet must touch the floor and the elbows form no less than 90 degrees. The legs should also be straightened to improve blood flow and reduce fatigue.
c. Computer position.
1. Make sure the table and chairs are not too far apart so that it is difficult for your hands to reach the keyboard and mouse.
2. Don’t use a table that is too high because it will force your back to be slightly raised, which can cause back pain and fatigue quickly.
3. If possible, use a computer desk with the mouse and keyboard positioned lower than the monitor screen position.
4. Adjust the position of the monitor so that the highest part of the screen is at eye level.
Work safety procedures
When assembling a computer you need to pay attention to the following things.
1. Work in a suitable work environment that is comfortable and has good air ventilation.
2. Keep away liquid and corrosive objects that are at risk of spilling onto computer components.
3. An assembly work table that is large enough to store several computer components to be assembled and in a place that is easy to reach.
4. Do not directly touch electronic components, connectors, or circuit lines. Hold the metal or plastic body part of the component.
5. Use an anti-static wrist strap or touch a metal surface on the case before handling components to discharge static electricity.
6. If possible, use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) device. This tool is able to store electric current when it is disconnected.
Waste management
Computer components and their supporting equipment contain several materials that are not environmentally friendly. Hazardous materials contained in computer components include plastic, certain metals, fiber glass, arsenic, silicon, gallium and lead.
CRT or cathode ray tube type monitors contain glass, metal, plastic, tin and gallium. Batteries with portable systems may contain lead, cadmium, lithium, manganese and mercury. Therefore, the process of disposing of waste computer components must be appropriate so that it is not dangerous for humans and the environment. (OL-14)
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