My job is to sit at a computer and chat all day with people from all over the world. Because we have to be engaged with customers at least 6.5 hours a day we spend a good deal of time typing, and using the mouse. Despite everything a number of my team mates have developed early signs of Carpal Tunnel syndrome. So they are now loading this software program on our machines that monitors us. It will keep track of the number of key strokes, how much we use the mouse, and warn us if we are exceeding certain limits. When it detects this it will have us take breaks, and prevents us from doing any typing or mouse work durring the break. This is also true at lunch. So if they add this software to my machine, no more Armorama on break or lunch. They'd be forcing me to do all my surfing during work hours. Like I'm not already. :-)

I don't know what I'll do if it ever comes to this.

Flipping back and forth between revising control plans and Process FMEAs and Armorama as we speak...

Shaun

Try to see if you can talk them into giving you a track ball. All you move is your finger not you wrist, also if you move it faster it tracks farther. Ive been on computers for 20+yrs and it helps. Granted it wont help typing but it will cut down on wrist movements

What is this world coming to when employers cut down your web access time!!! What will they want next? Actual work??

At first I took this post in the humor you intended. But then I thought of tarpal tunnel problems. I had an employee go through the surgery and it is very very serious. Several folks I have known have to wear special braces, get special keyboards, and limit what they do. I was affected by it, at least the pain for a period of time and learned a few techniques and limited time spent typing. So while I emphasis because you should be able to do what you awnt on your breaks and lunch period, the company is looking out for it's resources...YOU

Steve, oh I realize it's serious. I'm only some what tongue in cheek. My wife has it still, and hasn't been able to work for years because of it. She chose to get out of the line of work she was in when she got it, rather than take the surgery. We've got people here with with braces, special keyboards, specials desks, etc.

Steve D, believe it or not the ergonomics people want us to have track balls, but they ones they suggested have some conflict with the software we use. So after getting a better chair and adjustable desk I haven't had it, though I was having pain before they got me those.

I just hope they don't give me this software. I want to choose what I do on my breaks, not big brother. I have cut way down on my keyboard time on breaks and lunch, for just this reason.

what actually is carpal tunnel syndrome and could it affect me? i am only on the computer about 3 hours at night ( and thats on and off, im supposed to be masking a kit now) is it similar to RSI?

Carpal tunnel is the tunnel down which the ligaments of the hand run at the base of your palm. The ligaments come from your wrist across the metacarpals (that collection of small round bones connecting wrist to hand) to the Carpals which are the bones in the palm of the hand. If you press your finger at the palm of your hand and then simulate typing you can feel the ligaments move at this point. Now at this point 2 things happen . 1 repetitve motion causes carpal ligament sheath to become chronically inflamed and painful and causes changes in the sheath. then you have to have the tranverse ligament cut and the sheath basically sliced lengthwise up from the palm into the wrist about 2 to 2.5 inches realeasing the ligaments. all done through a 1 in incision at the lower part of the palm.

Hmmmm, I only seem to have that problem in my right hand :-)

Oh that's not carpal tunnel, Just a Cramp!! ease up on the "Repetitve Motion" and loosen your grip!!!! :-)