How long is one allowed to work continuously at the screen?
March 26, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Erika Keck
Dear occupational health physician,
I am reaching out to you because I have been experiencing increased problems with working long hours at the computer screen lately. I work in an office and spend most of my day in front of the computer. Lately, I have been experiencing more frequent headaches, dry eyes, and back pain. I am concerned that these issues may be related to my work at the screen.
My usual working hours are 8 hours per day, of which I work at the screen continuously for at least 6 hours. I am wondering if it is harmful to work continuously for such a long period of time at the screen and if there are recommendations on how to make this more health-friendly.
Could you please inform me how long one should work continuously at the screen to avoid health problems? Are there specific break regulations that I should follow? Are there special exercises or measures that I can take to alleviate my symptoms?
I am looking forward to your expert assessment and advice on how I can make my work at the screen more health-conscious. Thank you in advance for your help.
Best regards,
Martina Weber
Dear Mrs. Weber,
Thank you for your detailed inquiry regarding your health issues related to your work at the computer screen. It is very important to pay attention to such warning signs from the body and to act accordingly in order to avoid long-term damage.
The problems you describe, such as headaches, dry eyes, and back pain, can indeed be related to your work at the computer screen. Prolonged sitting in front of the computer screen, combined with one-sided strain and lack of movement, can lead to various health issues.
Regarding the duration one should work continuously at the screen, there is no clear recommendation as this depends on various factors such as individual resilience, break regulations, and ergonomic conditions. However, it is recommended to take a short break every 60-90 minutes to rest the eyes, promote circulation, and relax the muscles. These breaks can be used to stand up, stretch, and perform short eye exercises.
Furthermore, it is important that your workstation is ergonomically designed. This means the screen should be positioned at eye level, the keyboard and mouse at a comfortable height and position, and the chair should provide good back support. An ergonomic workstation can help reduce strain on your body and prevent discomfort.
In addition to breaks and ergonomic workstation design, targeted exercises and measures can also be helpful in relieving discomfort. These include regular eye exercises, neck and back exercises, as well as stretching exercises for the wrists and fingers. There are numerous videos and guides on the internet that can help you perform these exercises.
I recommend following these advice and regularly monitoring your posture, break regulations, and ergonomic conditions. If the symptoms persist or worsen, I recommend consulting a doctor for an individual consultation and examination.
I hope this information is helpful to you and supports you in making your work at the computer screen more health-conscious. If you have any further questions, I am happy to assist.
Best regards,
Erika Keck
