Visual Ergonomics in the Workplace

# Sugestão de leitura da semana: Anshel, Jeffrey (1998). Visual Ergonomics in the Workplace, Taylor & Francis. ISBN 0-7484-0658-1

Neste livro podemos encontrar informação sobre o aparelho visual humano, sua anatomia e fisiologia, bem como a sua difícil adaptação à leitura em ecrãs de computadores e sob a influência da iluminação artificial. Apesar de estar já um pouco desactualizado, sobretudo no que diz respeito à tecnologia usada nos ecrãs actuais, o livro aborda alguns conteúdos fundamentais que importa dominar...

"Organization of this book
This book is designed to give you a working knowledge of the eye and visual system so that you can make informative workplace decisions.

Chapter 1 starts with an historical perspective on how our vision and visual system has had to evolve to keep up with our social development. Chapter 2 describes the working of the eyes and visual system, simplified for basic understanding for the non-medical reader. In Chapter 3, the interaction of the eye in the workplace is discussed, with emphasis on the functional vision of the worker. In Chapter 4, the technology of the VDT monitor and how the images are perceived by the eye are discussed. Computer Vision Syndrome is a compilation of symptoms which arise from extended viewing of the VDT when the demands of the task exceed the abilities of the viewer. We discuss the various symptoms in Chapter 5 and address the possible reasons why they arise. How the eyes and visual system is tested and the role the environment plays in the examination procedure is discussed in Chapter 6. Although the main thrust of this book is the area of office ergonomics related to VDT viewing, we will also review the area of industrial vision and its many ramifications for eye safety and comfort in Chapter 7. We often take our eyes for granted, often not having examinations for years at a time if we feel nothing is ‘wrong’. There are many things that can go wrong and not everyone is fortunate enough to have ‘perfect eyes’. The computer is also a useful tool for those who are visually impaired and there are many options available for them, which are discussed in Chapter 8. The remedies for various problems are covered in Chapter 9. These include visual,environmental and physical areas which can be altered to increase VDT viewing comfort. There are many factors related to general eye care which can assist the reader in maintaining good visual habits. Chapter 10 discusses these factors and how to address them for the worker. Every workplace has a certain budget within which to work. The changes which are suggested would be irrelevant if the cost considerations were not added to the equation. Therefore, the concern of the economics of ergonomics is addressed in Chapter 11. And then there are the governmental standards which also affect every workplace. We will attempt to deliver, in Chapter 12, the latest information which has passed as legislation or as standards in various countries. This area is obviously in a constant state of flux and should be viewed only as a general guideline. It is hoped that this book serves as a cornerstone for a good understanding of the role vision plays in the lives of employees in the workplace. We spend almost one third of our lives in this environment and our eyes are our most important sense. The efficiency with which we see relates directly to how effectively and safely we perform on the job."
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