AFT's position on ergonomic training in the classroom

Sandra Feldman asked me to respond to your letter requesting our position on computer ergonomics in the classroom. AFT shares many of your concerns about the lack of national attention to this important issue.

AFT is in the process of formulating a final position on computer ergonomics in the classroom. To date, we have analyzed studies that have linked heavy computer use to an increased incidence of repetitive strain injuries in adults. Unfortunately, no Parallel studies have been performed to determine if a similar trend is occurring among children who use computers.

There is, however, considerable anecdotal evidence that graduate students who are heavy computer users are experiencing a high rate of repetitive strain injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis, tendonitis, ganglion inflammation, etc.). Many of these students have experienced injuries that are disabling - severely restricting their ability to use the computer. For the most part, they did not have unlimited access to computers in school when they were young, as students do today. These reports may have sobering implications for the future of very young students as they work their way through a computer-facilitated education.

Computers are now a fact of life in the classroom as well as in the home. Yet little or no attention has been placed on the workstations (chairs, tables, keyboard trays) for these computers, the frequency and duration of typical student use or training students on proper use or posture (hand position, sitting, etc.) during use. Computers are typically plopped down on tabletops not designed for their use and furniture manufacturers have ignored the challenge of creating new furniture designs.

We believe that several changes in policy and practice must occur in schools to insure that our children will not be placed at increased risk of injury. Among other things, we believe that:

1. Computer stations in schools should be designed to be highly adjustable so that tables and keyboard trays can accommodate students who are different sizes. Chairs should also be highly adjustable.

2. Other student furniture should be universally redesigned to meet stringent ergonomic criteria. The Scandinavian countries are doing it; we should be doing it too. Better furniture would help fight student fatigue.

Keith D. Stubblefield
February 11, 1999
Page 2

3. Training in the proper use of computers, i.e., proper keyboard height, monitor height, time spent on the computer, eye care, etc., should be integrated into any educational strategy involving computers. Teachers should also receive training and enforce good practice at school. General ergonomic training (sitting, standing, etc.) that included computer use would be ideal. The Swedes have already started training their primary and elementary school children on proper ergonomics (moving, sitting, carrying, etc.) as a way to reduce the prevalence of back problems among these students when they grow up. Chronic back pain and injury among adults are a common phenomenon in Sweden as they are here; these problems have implications for productivity of workers and society.

4. There desperately needs to be more research on this topic - epidemiological, engineering, etc. We simply don't know what the effects of heavy computer use will be on our children's bodies and eyes. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Academy of Science should make this issue a priority on the national research agenda. AFT actively supports the promulgation of a federal OSHA ergonomics standard and testified in favor of a California OSHA ergonomics standard. We know, however, that these standards will protect workers, not children. Therefore, we are looking for national forum to discuss this issue. For instance, we made the recommendation for more consideration of ergonomics in the design of new schools and new school furniture at the National Symposium on School Design sponsored by the White House Millennium Council.

We applaud your efforts to make software and training available to school districts at a nominal cost. However, we will be unable to partner with the Starfield group in this endeavor. Our research and position have not been finalized, and we have not yet made decisions on the best way to inform our membership and their school districts on this issue.

Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any more questions or need more information. We wish you every success in this important initiative.

Sincerely,

Darryl Alexander
Occupational and Environmental Health Coordinator