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Table of Contents
Unit Notes
ICAICT203A Operate application software packages
Topic 1 - OH&S
Getting Started with ICAICT203A
Operate application software packages
Introduction
Reading notes and learning activities
Using the Unit Notes
Topic 1: OH & S
1.1 Use safe work practices
1.2 Use wrist rests and document holders where appropriate
1.3 Use monitor anti-glare and radiation reduction screens where appropriate
Activity 1: Research OH&S principles
Getting Started with ICAICT203A
Operate application software packages
Introduction
Welcome to ICAICT203A Operate application software packages.
In this unit you will be working with common application software packages – word processing, spreadsheet and presentation packages – to produce useful documents.
This will involve knowing how to select the right software for a task, manage files and use resources to help you solve problems with software. You’ll also set up a workstation to make it comfortable, which is an important aspect of computer work.
Reading notes and learning activities
Topic 1: OH&S
Topic 2: Word processing software
Topic 3: Spreadsheets software
Topic 4: Presentation software
Using the Unit Notes
Icons and symbols are used throughout the guide to provide quick visual references.
They indicate the following:
/ ACTIVITY: An activity is listed to be completed / / ACTIVITY: A Learning activity requiring some physical action
/ WWW: A web link is listed / / REFLECTION: A point is to be considered and thought about more deeply
/ IMPORTANT: A pivotal point is detailed / / SEARCH: A particular item / book etc needs to be found and applied
Topic 1:OHS
Topic 1 of the notes covers ergonomic principles and working productively in the IT industry. Specifically it includes the use of occupational health implements such as wrist rests, document holders, and monitor anti-glare and radiation reduction screens. The topics are:
1.1.Use safe work practices to ensure ergonomic, work organisation, energy and resource conservation requirements are addressed
1.2.Use wrist rests and document holders where appropriate
1.3.Use monitor anti-glare and radiation reduction screens where appropriate
1.1 Use safe work practices
Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS), also known as repetitive strain injury (RSI), is a collective term for a range of conditions characterised by discomfort or persistent pain in muscles, tendons and other soft tissues, with or without physical manifestations. It is usually associated with tasks which involve:
- repetitive or forceful movement or both; and/or
- maintenance of constrained or awkward postures
(Definition from National Code Of Practice or the Prevention Of Occupational Overuse Syndrome, NOHSC, 1994)
Preventative and control measures include:
- setting work rates at realistic capacities for the individual
- providing a variety of work in the job design
- limiting fixed postures and highly repetitive movements by varying tasks
- increasing the number of shorter work pauses rather than having longer work pauses
- designing equipment for height, reach and tilt variations
- having a well-designed layout for free movement in the work area
It is important to recognise when your body is stressed or suffering from muscle fatigue, and to give those muscles a rest. Periods of sitting should be interspersed with periods of walking and stretching.
Work organisation
Ergonomics is the study of the interaction between humans and the working environment. It aims to promote the safety of workers. For example, making simple changes to work methods, equipment and layout can help to prevent injuries.
Ergonomics includes:
- the design and adjustment of support furniture
- the immediate surroundings of light, noise and temperature
- the scheduling of workloads
When attention is paid to the ergonomic design of a workplace there are many benefits, including:
- increases in your work efficiency
- decreases in errors due to fatigue
- reduction of health and injury problems
- increase in work satisfaction
Careful placement of your desk, chair, keyboard, monitor and mouse is essential for a good working environment.
You need to position your keyboard, mouse and monitor so that your body isn’t placed under stress, especially as these devices are often used for long periods.
The figure on the next page shows the correct way to sit when using a computer.
Notice how the monitor is positioned in relation to the person’s eye level.
Figure 1: Sitting correctly at a workstation
An ergonomically sound workstation is one that is set up specifically to meet the workplace health and safety needs of an IT worker. You may spend many hours sitting, gazing at monitors and keying in information, so if the equipment that you use is not set up correctly, it can cause OOS problems.
How you sit (your posture) and whether you move around (your mobility) also play a role in preventing OOS. However, it is currently believed that variety and movement are the keys to injury prevention rather than exact posture.
When setting up your monitor, you need to:
- position the monitor (or adjust other conditions in the room) to avoid glare and reflections on the screen
- check for screen flicker
- position the monitor at the correct distance and height
- set up, adjust and clean the display
- set up the display and screen resolution of your computer to facilitate comfortable viewing
- use an anti-glare filter, if required
Many digital media workers commonly work with dual monitors. Position these monitors side by side, angled towards the sitting position. This will allow all areas of the screen to be viewed without excessive twisting of the neck and shoulders.
When keying, your hands should float freely above the keys, much like a piano is played. Make sure your head is not bent too far forward to see the screen.
Organise your workspace so you don’t have to reach too far for commonly used items such as the telephone and mouse.
It is important to have regular breaks and change work activities during the day. Don’t forget to stretch and relax the different muscle groups, including the eyes.
Ensure lighting, heating and ventilation is adequate for a comfortable working environment.
Minimise distractions in your work area and relocate noisy equipment to a separate room, if possible.
Energy and resource conservation
Computers and peripherals all require electricity to run and can waste large amounts when not being fully used. Much of the power used is lost as heat. It makes sense to be aware of what you can do to reduce energy consumption.
Green computing is all about minimising our impact on the environment through proper management of resources.
Some ways we can help are by:
- enabling power management settings when idle
- turn systems off when not in use
- limit software upgrades that result in new hardware requirements
- re-use consumables – refill ink and toner, recycle cartridges and paper,
- change wasteful practices - minimise hard copy printing and use both sides when possible
- recycle or reassign computer hardware
1.2 Use wrist rests and document holders where appropriate
An appropriate wrist rest, one that is not too thin, too thick, too hard or with sharp edges, may be used to give extra support when not keying.
Document holders are recommended when keying directly from a document.
1.3 Use monitor anti-glare and radiation reduction screens where appropriate
You may be concerned about the possible health hazards of radiation from monitors.
Typically, exposure to electric and magnetic fields from monitors is relatively low and similar to the radiation that may come from radios and other devices found in your home. They are also generally less than many limits developed for radiation protection purposes. Radiation reduction screens may be used if preferred.
Ideally your screen should minimise radiation.
It is recommended that you use an anti-glare filterwhen setting up your monitor.
Activity 1: Research OHS principles
When creating digital media you will spend a large part of your daily activities working on a computer and operating various forms of hardware including mouse, keyboard, printers and scanners. Use the Internet to search for documents relating to office ergonomics.
Some suggested sites include:
- Ergonomics in Australia How to sit at a computer
- Ergonomics in a learning environment
- Australian Government Living Greener
- Earthcare Technology Sustainable green computing
Complete the tableon the next page, listing two basic principles to consider for each item:
2.
Chair / 1.
2.
Keyboard / 1.
2.
Screen/Monitor / 1.
2.
Rest breaks / 1.
2.
Green computing / 1.
2.
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ICAICT203AOperate application software packages