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00 INTRODUCTION
Even though computers have decreased significantly in cost,
they are still expensive. Why have they, then, unless they
can make workers more effective? Ironically there are
certain ways in which computers may actually make people
less productive. Many of these problems will most likely
affect workers in positions that involve intensive data entry,
such as clerks and word processor operators. However, they
may also happen to anyone whose job involves heavy use of
the computer. As a result there has been great interest in a
field known as Ergonomics.

1.1O WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?

Ergonomic is an applied science aim at the study of human
factors related to things people use. It is concerned with
fitting the job to the worker rather than facing the worker to
contort to fit the job. As computer use has increased so has
interest in Ergonomics people are devising ways that
computers tool equipment works in designed and used to
increase productivity and avoid health risks.

Ergonomics help computer users to take steps to avoid

physical, mental health risks and increase productivity.

1.20 BENEFIT ERGONOMICS

While Ergonomic improvements to the work environment are
primarily used to create a safer and more healthful work
environment there benefits include.

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 • Increase productivity
• Increase work quality
• Increase morale
• Reduced absenteeism

2.00 ERGONOMICS INPUT DEVICES.

The Ergonomics Input devices discussed in this Paper are
Keyboard, Mouse, Synapse Head Tracking Devices and
Tracker. Other examples of Ergonomics devices are Joystick,
Cordless Mouse Wireless Head tracking and others

2.10 SYNAPSE HEAD TRACKING DEVICE.

Is an Ergonomic input device uses by a persons who cannot
use their hands but who have good head control. The
synapse head tracking device is a head pointing which
provides full mouse control of computers. Moving one’s head
move the cursor on the screen. Activating the puff switch or
other external switch make selections. On screen keyboard
such as Wivik® allow for word processing and other text
entry. The synapse head tracking device can emulate the
most popular mouse input systems. You can operate the
mouse button with the puff switch mounted on the headset
or plug other switches into the back of the control box. If the
user has acceptable speech then Dragon Naturally Speaking
Voice recognition makes a wonderful combination allowing

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efficient voice recognition keyboard entry and speech
activated mouse button clicks.

The synapse head tracking device can also emulate the most
popular mouse input systems such as apple Desktop Bus for
Macintosh ® and apple 11GS ® Microsoft ®

2.20 ERGONOMIC KEYBOARDS

A keyboard is an important input device. The Ergonomic
keyboard receives input from the user one same way as any
normal keyboard by pressing the keys on the board.
Ergonomics keyboards have an improvement design
improving the posture while working.
Ergonomic Keyboard Increase Comfort through for e.g. a
gable angle keyboard has been increased form 8 degrees to
14 this helps the users to untwist their arms closer to a

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natural handshake position while typing also a new padded
palm rest helps palm lift have been designed to help reduce
wrist extension. The presence of the palm rest helps prevent
the wrist from dropping excessively during typing.
To improve user posture, ergonomic keyboards can be
splited so that each half better accommodates natural
postures of each arm.

2.30. WHAT IS TRACKER?

Tracker (TM) is an adaptive ergonomic device that translates
your movements into direct movements of the computer’s
cursor. It replaces the desktop mouse, trackball, or even the
Nintendo joystick for people who cannot use their hands.

2.31. HOW DOES TRACKER WORK?

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The wireless sensor tracks a tiny, reusable dot typically
placed on your forehead or glasses. When your head moves
the cursor moves.

2.32. WHAT CAN I DO WITH TRACKER?

Tracker lets you use a computer or play Nintendo. You can
do precise tasks such as drawing, computer drafting or kick
butt in Mortal Kombat. When used with an on-screen
keyboard you can perform all the functions of a standard
keyboard and mouse. One of the best things about Tracker is
you don’t even have to use your head! You can place the
target sticker anywhere you want. Whether it’s on your chin,
finger, or foot; as long as the sensor can track it, you’re in
control.

2.33. BUT HOW DO I CLICK?

Clicking is easy! Just use WISP our wireless sip/puff switch.
Discretely mounted the sip/puff switch gives you control of
up to 8 configurable switches. Or you plug up to six different
ability switches into the wireless switch platform. There is a
receiver built right into Tracker. Dwell selection is also an
easy clicking solution through Magic Cursor (TM) for
Macintosh® computers or Dwell Pick for Windows(TM).

2.34. IS IT EASILY MOUNTED?

Tracker can be mounted easily on any desktop or laptop
computer. It can even be mounted on your wheelchair. Using

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an adapter, Tracker can be powered by the wheelchair’s
batteries, giving you full wireless access.

2.40. ERGONOMIC MOUSE

Mouse is a handheld input device with control buttons that is
moved across a pad to control the movement of a cursor on
a computer screen or is clicked to transmit instruction, a
mouse now come in many sizes, shapes, and configurations.
In addition to the conventional mouse, there are trackballs,
touch pads, finger tip joysticks, and pucks, to name a few.
One major factor that influences mouse comfort is contact
pressure on the hand. Too much pressure on the hand is
uncomfortable because it causes the mouse to press
sharply into the palm. Proper contact pressure can be
provided by a mouse that contacts a large portion of the
hand and contacts it in even distributed manner. Ergonomics
Mouse is designed for the right hand only or for use by either
hand (ambidextrous) both approaches have their
advantages and disadvantages. Right-hand-only mice have
been optimized for comfort in the right hand, which allows
for additional tailoring of contact area, and the wrist to be
positioned with less twist in the forearm.
Ambidextrous designed can be useful for corporate
standards. To accommodate both right-hand and left handed
employees.

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 2.41. The While Mouse.
The While mouse is ergonomics designed mouse with an
adjustable contoured palm rest. Encouraging neural wrist,
hand and finger positioning. I easily adjusts within the palm
rest to fit any hand size and can be used either on the right
or left. It features 3 buttons, with the centre button custom
programmable. The large size of the mouse promotes the
use of large arm muscles and minimizes any sharp, quick
wrist movements, an excellent alternative for people who
want to have only one mouse, but would like the flexibility of

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using either the right or the left hand in its use.

2.50. ERGONOMIC LEGAL COSTS

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In addition to medical cost, legal costs are a growing area of
concerns for private industry. Ergonomically related legal
cost may be incurred in several ways. On of these legal issue
is associated with lawsuits. According to the California
workers compensation institute (CWCI) litigation was nearly
universal among cumulative injury claims, with the average
litigation costs for these injuries being higher than in other
cases. CWCI reported that 94% of the CTD related claims
were litigated. This non profit research institute also
reported that employers paid 33 cent in litigation costs for
every #150 paid in benefits for cumulative injury cases. This
can be compared to less than 15 cents for every #150 of
incurred benefits for other injury claims often, these lawsuits
involved an injured employee horning an attorney to obtain
a larger permanent disability settlement. In other situations,
lawleys were hired to help prove whether these injuries were
work related, such as lawsuit arising out of accidents caused
by fatigued and drowsy employees while driving home.
Those and other cases point out that company can suffer
dearly from expensive legal cost. “Learn, lose, or settle,
these cases cost time and money and can harm employee
and concerntly relations” (coburn 1996). In many cases a
lawsuit could cost companies five times the amount it would
take to start an Ergonomic program “one injury could cost a
company #1’500,000 in legal fees resulting from works
compensation claims (Llogd 1996). Therefore by

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implementing an Ergonomics program a corapany could
reduce its legal and radical cost.
2.60. CONCLUSION
The advantages of ergonomics is that workers are more
comfortable and less likely to suffer from repetitive stress
injuries, reducing errors and increasing input speed. Also
applying the principles of ergonomics to the design of work
place tools such as Keyboard and mouse, Microsoft and
other companies are able to products more comfortable and
worker-friendly. The disadvantage of ergonomic input
devices they cost more than usual input devices.
2.70. REFERENCE:
1) http://www.mhhe.com/it/oleary/explore.mhtml
2) http://www.howstuffworks.com

3) Osha Ergonomics Solution. Occupational Safety &

Health Administration (USA Department of Labour.)
4) http://www.ergonomics.org.uk

5) Rodgers S.H(1983) Ergonomics Diary for people at work

Volume 1
6) Seminar paper presentation by
2007/2008PGDSC Group 2 Students Bayero University,
Kano.

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