Another possible problem area is when the arrangements for access to ICTs are through the use of “open access” or prebooked workstations. It is common practice in universities to provide such workstations for students and to a lesser extent for staff. However, inherent in such an arrangement is a need for the workstation to be suitable for the “typical” user. This can often preclude proper ergonomic adjustment
of the workstation for the individual user, especially where the individual is of a build that is not very close to the mean. For example, a short user may need a footrest (University of Bristol, undated) that is not provided (footrests being essential for many short users to work in comfort with the chair at the correct height to allow for correct positioning of the arms). Yet a tall user could find the same footrest (if it were provided) an obstruction, and the screen too low.
Further, when workstations are prebooked and not plentiful, users will be under pressure to make maximum use of their session, and thus to not take the breaks advised in RSI prevention policies.
An alternative of having no booking system can itself preclude adequate breaks, as the user is often unable to leave and return without risking being unable to find a workstation to use on their return. It is technically possible to secure a workstation to prevent others from using it or interfering with it while the user is away from it, and thus enable the taking of breaks. However, the use of such a facility may be disabled or discouraged to reduce the chance of people wishing to use a workstation having to wait while workstations are not actively being used. Further research is needed on the extent of this problem.
The failure of policies to mention these various issues relating to shared workstations when they are relevant (e.g., University of Bristol, undated; University of Tasmania, 1998a, 1998b; University of Wolverhampton, undated; and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1999), is a serious flaw.
The various issues related to shared workstations are of particular relevance when considering the spread of ICTs to less industrialised countries, as the high relative cost of them makes it likely that much access will be at shared workstations.
CONCLUSION
This chapter has looked at a number of higher education and workplace repetitive strain injury (RSI) prevention policies, from the United Kingdom, Australia, China and the United States, to morally evaluate them. Evaluations took into account a variety of issues including the balance of corporate responsibility as against individual responsibility. Some of the broader issues of employer respon- sibility for health and safety were reviewed.
For many policies studied, there is too much weight on individual responsibil- ity, with little or no attention to the context in which the computers are being used, and unrealistic demands on individuals as a result. The chapter also suggests that computer suppliers have a responsibility to supply relatively inexpensive software and equipment to prevent RSI with the computers they are supplying.
RSI is a very real problem and will continue to be unless more widespread attention is paid to it. A number of particular measures to combat it have been suggested. The control of RSI also requires that the attention paid to the problem involves a more realistic appraisal of the amount of responsibility individuals can be expected to bear.
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