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.