When you first read the title of this blog, what were you really thinking? Were you ready to respond with names, or did you answer with just a simple yes or no? Working in a 911 Comm Center myself over the past 25 years, pain is a topic I hear quite frequently. If you or someone you work with suffers from neck pain while working, here is a remedy to address that problem and prevent it from occurring in the future:
Topics: Ergonomics, Monitors, Eye Strain, Dispatch Consoles
It's no secret that dispatching is a stressful job. I can just imagine the stress felt in heat of the call, the moment of panic, and the adrenaline rush. Stress alone can be the culprit for causing headaches, but what if there are other factors contributing to your pain that you haven't considered? And no, I'm not talking about that annoying coworker or the funky smells coming from the shared refrigerator. Here are three ways that you can be misusing your height adjustable desk that could be adding to headaches:
Topics: Height Adjustable Workstations, Ergonomics, Eye Strain
A friend at a communication center in San Diego recently told Xybix that he’s been working with monitors he cannot move. I asked if I could take pictures of a gentleman’s “system” and he was kind enough to let me. I mean hey, it’s not his fault; if you don’t have the tools at your disposal to be able to see what’s on the monitor, what are you supposed to do?
Focal depth is how far your monitor is from your eyes. The adjustment of that depth or focal depth adjustment, allows you to move those monitors nearer or farther from your eyes to better see the screens. It is not a fancy add-on for your workstation. It’s not a luxury. Really, it’s about being able to see what your screen projects. If you have to look at those screens for 10 to 12 hours, doesn’t it make sense that you find a way to do so without stressing your eyes?
Topics: Monitors, Eye Strain
I’m always shocked by the number of dispatchers I talk to who have never heard of bias lighting. Typically, when I demo this feature on a workstation, I tend to get quite a few “oohhs” and “aahhs” (a similar reaction to watching a fireworks display). But, not everyone has the opportunity to see this feature live during a product demo, and so for those individuals, this blog is for you.
Bias lighting is, in the simplest terms, backlighting. Backlighting emits a soft white glow behind your computer monitor(s). You might have seen similar techniques deployed on furniture displays at your local IKEA. Yes, it seems as though backlighting is catching on in many industries — and for good reason. So why am I bias about bias lighting and why should some such as a 911 dispatcher care? Two very important answers come to mind:
Topics: Lighting, Eye Strain
In the 24/7 work environment of 911 dispatchers and emergency operators, comfort is key — especially when it comes to your computer screen. Long hours spent staring at a monitor can wreak havoc on the eyes, causing eye strain and overall fatigue. But there are ways to optimize the placement and resolution of your computer monitor to create a more ergonomically pleasing picture. Here are two steps to get started:
Topics: Eye Strain
We live in a digital world. Televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets and e-readers have become a staple in our everyday lives. As we increasingly turn to digital devices in our personal and professional lives, the impact on our eyes is something that we shouldn’t ignore.
Excessive use of digital devices is a contributing factor to eye strain and distress. Digital eye strain is becoming a common issue in 24/7 facilities such as 911 dispatch, security/surveillance and emergency operations centers.
Topics: Health, Lighting, Eye Strain
