Product category:
Manufacturing IT hardware
News Release from: Samsung Electronics (UK) | Subject: IT Hardware
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 20 November 2006
Britain headed for employee burn-out
UK workforce is suffering serious ill-health through incorrect working conditions
Samsung Electronics, a world leader in IT technology, today reveals the results of its first 'UseIT Survey', which examines how workers are actually using IT in the workplace and how this affects issues such as productivity, health and security In partnership with YouGov the survey was completed UK-wide via an online survey and polled over 2,000 office workers from a range of business sectors, from 1 to 1000+ employees, looking at measuring their attitudes, opinions and issues they have with everyday IT office equipment
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 20 Nov 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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This research was conducted between 12-14th September 2006.
In the section relating to employee health and wellbeing, the results highlight conclusively that now more than ever the British public is putting its health at risk through incorrect use of everyday IT equipment whilst at work.
The key findings from the research highlight that from the total number of respondents:.
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* Over half (62%) of office workers who use a computer or laptop have reported that they suffer from tiredness and sore eyes from staring at a PC monitor all day, correlating to 15.5 million of the UK office workforce.
* 50% have reported that they suffer from headaches from staring at a PC monitor all day, correlating to 12.5 million of the UK office workforce.
* 30% have reported that they suffer from back pain from sitting in front of a PC monitor all day, correlating to 11 million of the UK office workforce.
Whilst the above may seem like relative inconveniences and minor complaints, when taken in context of the wider population they do provide indications to an unwell workforce, and are complaints which could be the beginnings of further problems.
However, it is not only the health of the body that can be impacted by spending too much time in front a screen, as 12% of survey respondents also reported feelings of depression after working in front of PC monitor all day.
Jenny Leeser, Assistant Medical Director, BUPA Wellness commented: "It's important that people who use display screen equipment know how to adjust their workstation and adopt good posture when working to avoid fatigue and strain".
"Take regular breaks by changing a work task and try and arrange your work so that this is possible".
"Focusing on a distant object for a few seconds can provide good relaxation for the eye muscles".
"Pay attention to comfort factors like keeping well hydrated and the occasional stretching exercise can help enormously as people go through their working day".
"Lap top users should be sure to get proper docking stations for when they use their machine for long periods".
"Slumping down to see the laptop screen for long periods is not helpful".
The future impact of these figures cannot be underestimated, and it seems that for many even the most simple of safety measures are ignored.
For example, 41% of respondents owned up to not taking regular breaks from their screen - thought to be one of the key instigators of problems such as sore eyes and headaches.
When broken down geographically, the highest offenders of this were in Wales and Midlands (65%), and board level respondents (68%) were particularly poor in looking after themselves in this way.
For a long time a variety of health problems - from neck aches to bad backs - have loosely been associated with working incorrectly.
In the past, with poor education around the best ways of working, this was an understandable yet fixable trend.
However, as working hours are continuing to rise and occupational related injuries and conditions become commonplace, the snapshot of this report's findings paint a bleak picture of the future of British working health.
Setting this in context, one year ago (August 2005), the BBC reported on a survey that found workers who do overtime were 61% more likely to become hurt or ill, once factors such as age and gender were taken into account, and working more than 12 hours a day raised the risk by more than a third.
It also found that in the UK that 14% of the working population - 3.6m - work more than 48 hours a week".
""An unwell, stressed and even depressed workforce will undoubtedly lead to an unproductive workforce and high staff turnover".
"UK businesses need to take the opportunity to exploit the technologies that will help drive their businesses forward whilst at the same time meeting the needs of their workforce," said Neil Berville, IT Divisional Director, Samsung Electronics UK.
"The right type of equipment is critical to ensuring good health".
"As an IT manufacturer we ensure our product development focuses on ease of use, design and efficiency to create a safe, comfortable and productive working environment".
"A combination of good product design and consulting IT managers and employees on how to make the most of their IT equipment will encourage a safer and more efficient office".
Neil Berville continued, "At Samsung we aim to deliver IT products that help hinder a safe and suitable work life balance and invest GBP50million a year in consumer research to ensure our products are designed to meet the working needs of employees".
"Our wide-screen and adjustable height monitors are based on scientific theories that the proven natural viewing angle of the human eye is rectangular rather than square and that a viewing angle of 16:10 is proven to make users feel more comfortable, stable and safe".
"Adjustability is key, and we also incorporate glare-reducing technologies to prevent eyestrain and improve viewing experience".
"Finally, Samsung's Q1 was also designed on the need for an ultra portable and ultra light PC, weighing as little as 779g".
To help alleviate key health issues Samsung has compiled the below top tips for keeping healthy at work:.
* Shoulders back - Proper posture is essential to healthy computer use.
You should have a chair that adjusts to your height and provides adequate lumbar support.
If required you should also have a footrest to relieve stress on the legs, back and neck.
If your job requires a lot of phone use, you should use a speakerphone or headset to avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder.
* Up and about - Be sure to take breaks during the day to keep moving.
Sitting or typing for a long period is not only uncomfortable, but increases the risk of serious health problems down the road.
* Location, Location, Location - Make sure your computer is arranged correctly on the desk.
Computer monitors should be situated just below eye-level.
This will help reduce backward head and neck tilt and straining associated with an incorrectly positioned monitor.
It is also vital to position the monitor at the proper viewing distance - at least 20 inches.
Make sure you can clearly see the characters on your monitor.
You may need to adjust your monitor brightness and contrast settings to display characters clearly.
* Have vision - Working on a computer all day can quickly take a toll on your eyes.
Check the lighting in your home or office to reduce glare on your computer screen and prevent vision problems.
Try ensuring your monitor has anti-glare capabilities or you benefit from a filter.
Position reference documents at the same height and distance as your computer monitor as this will eliminate the need for your eyes to refocus each time you glance between the monitor and the reference paper, reducing eye and neck strain.
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