Screened Vehicle Use and the 20/20/20 Rule

In today's environment, surrounded by technological devices on all sides, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay away from computers, mobile devices, tablets, and other screen-based tools. Especially in jobs conducted on computers, long and exhausting hours without breaks threaten eye health.

According to the Regulation on Health and Safety Measures in Working with Screen Devices, the definition of a screen device includes any tool that displays letters, numbers, shapes, graphics, and images on its screen, regardless of the content of the application. Smart devices used for social media, complex computers used for drawing, camera systems monitoring screens, office computers used for work, etc., are all considered screen devices.

A study conducted in the USA showed that 65% of individuals who are heavily engaged with screen devices throughout the day experience eye problems. Moreover, spending the majority of the day indoors, under artificial light, in front of a screen can lead to dryness, fatigue, redness in the eyes, and even headaches and neck pain. One of the most basic preventive measures is the 20-20-20 Rule: Eye specialists suggest that individuals who constantly look at a computer or phone screen should take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 feet (6 meters) away to reduce the risk of syndromes caused by prolonged screen exposure.

Reading this article might not have taken up 20 minutes of your time, yet you can still take 20 seconds now to look away from the screen and make this rule a habit.

Gizem ŞİMŞEK B Class Occupational Safety Specialist Tepe Occupational Health and Safety Services Inc. (Tekirdağ Branch)