Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 2
HEALTH AND SAFETY INTHE USE OF ICT TOOLS
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HEALTH AND SAFETY INTHE USE OF ICT TOOLS
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Computing
Class: JHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 10
Grade code: B8.1.3.1.1
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: B8.1.3.1
Indicator code: B8.1.3.1.1
Theme: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTING
Subtheme: HEALTH AND SAFETY INTHE USE OF ICT TOOLS
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As we use computers, tablets, and smartphones more and more in Ghana – for schoolwork, chatting with friends, playing games, or even at work like mobile money vendors – it is very important to know how to use them safely. Using these tools for a long time without care can cause real pain and health problems in our bodies, like back pain, headaches, and tired eyes. This lesson will teach us how to set up our "workstation" (the place where we use our computer or phone) and how to sit and work properly to protect our health for the future. This is about taking responsibility for our own well-being while using technology.
What is a Workstation? A workstation is simply the area where you use an ICT tool for a period of time. This could be: A desk in the school's ICT lab with a desktop computer. A table at an internet cafe. A desk at home with a laptop. Even the chair you sit in while using your smartphone or tablet for a long time.
The study of how to make workstations safe and comfortable is called Ergonomics. Good ergonomics helps prevent injuries. Key Health Issues and Their Solutions Issue: Body Pain and Fatigue (Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain) Cause: This is often caused by poor posture. Posture is the way you hold your body when sitting or standing. Sitting slouched, hunched over, or leaning your neck forward for a long time puts stress on your muscles and spine. This can lead to a condition called Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), which is damage to muscles, nerves, and tendons from repeating the same action over and over. Solution: Adopt Good Posture Chair: Adjust your chair so your feet are flat on the floor. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor (like a flat table top). If your feet cannot reach the floor, use a small stool or a pile of books as a footrest. Back: Sit up straight with your lower back supported by the chair's backrest. Your back should form an 'S' shape, not a 'C' shape. You can place a small pillow or a rolled-up towel behind your lower back for extra support. Neck and Head: Your head should be balanced directly above your shoulders. Avoid pushing your chin forward. The top of your computer screen should be at or just below your eye level. This prevents you from bending your neck down or up. Arms and Wrists: Your elbows should be bent at a 90-degree angle (like the corner of a square) and close to your body. Your wrists should be straight, not bent up or down, when typing. Diagram of Good Posture: ``` (Imagine a simple stick figure diagram here) Head -> Looking straight ahead, not down Back -> Straight, supported by chair Elbows -> Bent at 90 degrees Wrists -> Straight Knees -> Bent at 90 degrees Feet -> Flat on the floor ``` Issue: Eye Strain and Headaches Cause: Staring at a bright screen for a long time without blinking can make your eyes dry, tired, and sore. The screen's glare and focusing on small text for hours can also lead to headaches. Solution: Take Regular Breaks It is crucial to give your body and eyes a rest. Don't work for many hours without stopping. The 20-20-20 Rule: This is a very easy and effective rule to remember. Every 20 minutes... ...look at something 20 feet away (like a tree outside the window or the far wall of the room)... ...for 20 seconds. This simple action helps your eye muscles relax and reduces the risk of strain. You should also stand up, stretch, and walk around for a few minutes at least once every hour. This improves blood flow and rests your muscles. Issue: Neck and Shoulder Strain from Looking at Documents Cause: Imagine you are typing a long essay from a book or your handwritten notes. If the notes are flat on the desk beside your keyboard, you have to constantly bend and twist your neck to look from the paper to the screen. Doing this repeatedly causes neck pain. Solution: Use a Document Holder A document holder is a simple stand that holds your papers upright, next to your computer screen. How it helps: By placing the document at the same level and distance as your screen, you can look from the screen to the paper by just moving your eyes, not your whole head and neck. This prevents neck strain. Ghanaian Context / DIY Solution: You don't need to buy an expensive document holder. You can easily make one! Use a thick book or a ring binder file and stand it up on the desk. Lean your papers against it. This achieves the same goal of keeping the document upright and easy to see.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)
Instructions: As a class, let's work through these problems together.