Ergonomics for the Mobile Worker

Rapid advances in mobile technology, increasing travel needs, and cost-reduction demands have all led to an increasingly mobile workforce. In their most recent report on telecommuting, The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reports that 79% of salary workers are paid for at least 8 hours of work performed outside of the office setting each week. While it is saving companies thousands in energy costs and office-space expenses, it can also carry a consequence. The risk of physical and optical strain when working extended hours with mobile devices is serious. However, this risk can be mitigated with proper employee training.

This online course on ergonomics for the mobile worker provides a comprehensive discussion of topics such as posture, work-environment set-up, and avoiding optical strain. This high-definition video training demonstrates ergonomic principles everyone can easily apply to their own unique work situation. While these concepts may seem simple, they do require careful attention.

Anyone using a laptop, tablet or smart phone on a regular basis should learn how to apply ergonomic principles to ease the strain on their eyes and body.

Anyone who uses mobile devices, such as laptops, tablets and smart phones

• Proper Posture
  • Maintaining neutral body position
  • Positions of neutral posture
• Creating a Good Work Environment
  • The body follows the eyes
  • Direct and reflected glare
  • Holding hand-held devices
  • Adjusting your chair
  • Adjusting chair armrests
• Challenges of Mobile Equipment
  • Neck and shoulder strains
  • Laptop screen positioning
  • Choosing the right input device
  • Repositioning the body
  • Repetitive injuries from hand-held devices
  • Minimizing stress from hand-held devices
• Reducing Eyestrain
  • The importance of eye exams
  • Adjusting your screen
  • Corrective lenses
• Get Up and Move
  • Changing your body position
  • Exercises to reduce strain

• Follow proper posture guidelines when sitting or standing.
  • Identify reasons why it is best for the body to be in neutral position.
  • Recognize elements of a neutral back position.
• Create a good work environment when using mobile devices.
  • Recognize the relationship between body position and direction of sight.
  • Recall that both direct and reflected glare can cause the eyes to tire.
  • Choose optimal body positions when using a hand-held device.
  • List ways to adjust your chair for maximum comfort.
  • Recognize proper chair adjustment.
  • Identify problems caused by leaning on chair armrests.
• Reduce or eliminate strain when using laptops and mobile devices.
  • Identify body positions causing neck and shoulder strain.
  • Select the proper laptop position optimal for typing.
  • Choose the most ergonomically appropriate pointing device for use with a laptop.
  • Recall that repetitive stress injuries caused by frequent use of hand-held devices happen over a long period of time.
  • Identify ways to reduce strain caused by using laptops and hand-held devices.
• Reduce eyestrain when working with mobile devices.
  • Recall the percentage of computer users who experience eyestrain.
  • Agree to have regular eye exams to prevent and treat eyestrain.
  • Identify ways to avoid eyestrain when working with mobile devices.
• Perform exercises to help prevent stress and strain on the body.
  • Recall the frequency at which you should move or change positions.
  • Choose exercises that help prevent stress and strain from work with mobile devices.