Effects of prescribed medication on performance in the working population

The prevalence of depression and anxiety has increased sharply in recent years leading to extensive use of medication. But little is known of how the symptoms of anxiety and depression and the medication for these conditions impact on health and safety at work. The aims of the study were therefore to: - examine the relationship between psychological morbidity, prescribed medication, and work performance, in different groups of workers, - investigate the relationship between prescribed medication and self-reported incidence of accidents and ‘near miss’ experiences, - explore the issue of mental health problems among employees from the employer’s perspective, - review the implications for the advice that should be given to workers and employer

Ergonomics of using a mouse or other non-keyboard input device

Ten years ago, when the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations (HSE, 1992) were drafted, the majority of computer interaction occurred with text driven interfaces, using a keyboard. It is not surprising then that the guidance accompanying the DSE Regulations included virtually no mention of the computer mouse or other non-keyboard input devices (NKID). In the intervening period, graphical user interfaces, incorporating ‘windows, icons and pull down menus’ (WIMPS), with a heavy reliance on pointing devices such as the mouse, have transformed user computer interaction. Accompanying this, however, have been increasing anecdotal reports of musculoskeletal health problems affecting NKID users. While the performance aspects of NKID (e.g. accuracy and speed) have been the subject of detailed research, the possible implications for user health have received comparatively little attention. The research presented in this report was commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive to improve understanding of the nature and extent of NKID health problems. This investigation, together with another project examining mobile computing (Heasman et. al., 2000), was intended to contribute to a planned review and updating of the DSE Regulations and accompanying guidance