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Interview
This interview was published
in "Nation Safety", The Journal of the National Safety Council
of Australia, from the cover article 'Terminal Risks' by
Paul Somerville". You can find their website at www.safetynews.com
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The computer is hard to get away from. Although it is
universally agreed that regular exercise breaks are essential, computer-bound workers are notoriously non compliant. But new software aims to change all that.
David Berenholtz, Managing Director of Southside Industries says he created PrimeMover
software, which reminds computer users to take regular exercise breaks, after he sustained shoulder and wrist injuries' from working eight hours a day as a programmer.
“lt was pretty
painful," he says “I went to a physiotherapist and remedial masseur who gave me specific exercises to do in the morning and the
evening. I would do them, but because I was not taking regular breaks, the injuries did not improve and I had to go back and see him every three weeks."
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Since installing his software program, Berenholtz says he noticed a
"big improvement". He says the program helps him to take responsibility for his own OHS.
PrimeMover, which was conceived in 1992, includes 60 preset exercises and another 12 that allow users to add their own text based exercises or messages. Of the 60 preset exercises there are 42 stretches devised by physiotherapists and 18 eye exercises recommended by optometrists. They are standard
exercises anyone can do standing or seated.
Berenholtz says that users have control over both the exercises and how often they appear on screen. "You can gear the exercises to your own
particular injury profile," he says, but notes that the main role of PrimeMover is to prevent injuries before they occur.
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"It may be that the person's neck, wrists or shoulders occasionally get stiff or sore, and perhaps this might develop into a problem."
Each exercise takes about 30 seconds and then the user
can go back to work. The software also includes links that allow users to write to their doctor or
optometrist so that the client can return to their computer and set the software according to the professionals' recommendations.
"Physios recommend break every 20 minutes, but people are more likely to elect 40 minutes or every hour. The point is that you have to want to use
the program otherwise you will just resist interruption to your work.” he says.
“A workplace may get an ergonomist in who talks about the importance of breaks and instructs people in appropriate stretching exercises. For the first
week everyone does the exercises, but after that people revert to their old habits."
Aside from health benefits, Berenholtz says that taking regular breaks also improves the work of computer users.
"By allowing you to stop and recharge, you are more relaxed as you work and the result is greater accuracy and productivity," he adds.
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This article is reproduced with the
permission of Nation Safety Magazine, May 2003 Vol.74,
Number 4
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