Your Telephone Could Be Hurting You!

Whether or not people now it the telephone is a major source of
strain in today's workstation. Some users do not want to waste
their time when they have to use the phone while working on the
computer. Hence they keep the phone pinched between their head
and shoulder thus talking over the phone and working on the
computer simultaneously. This may cause stress on the neck and
especially the ears as they are pressed between the head and
shoulders during the entire conversation. Also if the telephone
is placed too far away from the user, it causes strain on the
shoulder, arm, and neck due to repeated reaching.

Some possible solutions for telephone related occupational
stress are:

** Let your telephone be placed in the primary or secondary work
zone, depending on usage patterns. Thus you can avoid reaching
it repeatedly, reducing the possibility of injury.

** Ensure that the cord of your telephone is out of the work
area so that it does not create a tripping hazard.

If you have to spend a lot of time on the phone while using the
computer, it is ideal to use a "hands-free" headset. If your
co-workers do not have a problem, speakerphone is yet another
appropriate solution provided the volume is adjusted for your
audibility only.