Ergonomics

(For Office Personnel)

Objectives

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• Basic Definitions Related to Ergonomics
• Why Ergonomics Is Important
• Typical Applications for Ergonomics
• Typical Office Ergonomic Problems
• The Ergonomically Correct Computer Work Station
• The Environmental Concerns in Today’s Office Environment
• The Importance of Personal Breaks/exercise During the Work Day
• The Concepts of Work Station Design

UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:

Definitions

• Discovering the capabilities and limitations of the human body
• The art and science that addresses workers’ job performance and well-being in relation to their job tasks, tools, equipment and environment
• The study of the relationship between people and machines or between employees and their environment

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VARIOUS AUTHORS DEFINE ERGONOMICS AS:

Definition

• The study of the interaction between the worker and the process at the workplace.

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VARIOUS AUTHORS DEFINE ERGONOMICS AS:

WHAT OTHER DEFINITIONS

HAVE YOU HEARD?

Continued

Importance of Ergonomics

• Improve quality
• Improve absenteeism
• Maintain a healthier work force.
• Reduce injury and illness rates
• Acceptance of high-turnover jobs
• Workers feel good about their work
• Reduce workers’ compensation costs
• Elevate awareness to a higher level

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ERGONOMICS PLAYS A ROLE IN APPROXIMATELY 50% OF ALL WORKPLACE INJURIES. ERGONOMICS WILL HELP:

Ergonomics a Multi Disciplinary Approach

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THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF WAYS ERGONOMICS IMPACTS OUR DAILY LIFE!

Typical Application of Ergonomics

• Work Station design
• Tool Selection and Design
• Office Safety Improvement
• Video Display Terminal
• Back Injury Reduction and Prevention
• Manual Material Handling Improvement
• Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) Reduction.

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APPLICATIONS

Implementation Strategy

• RECOGNITION
• A determination of whether there are ergonomic related problems in the workplace.

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• EVALUATION
• An identification of the nature and location of the problems.

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• CONTROL
• The introduction of measures designed to eliminate or reduce the hazards.

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Program Review and Implementation

• Employee surveys
• Review of results of facility evaluations
• Analysis of trends in injury/illness rates
• Up-to-date records or logs of job improvements tried or implemented
• Before and after surveys/evaluations of job/worksite changes

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EVALUATION TECHNIQUES INCLUDE:

Ergonomics Control

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Ergonomics Control

• OCCUPATIONAL RISK FACTORS:

Occupational risk factors are defined as any attribute of a job or task that we know increases the probability of injury or illness.

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• INAPPROPRIATE

1. Force - Including - Internal or External

2. Posture - Such as - Extreme Twisting or Bending

3. Repetition - Including - Muscle Group Overexertion

4. Insufficient Rest - Including - Muscle Group Overexertion

Worksite Analysis

WORKSITE ANALYSIS IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR MAIN PARTS:

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1. Gathering information from available sources

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2. Conducting baseline screening surveys to determine which jobs need a closer analysis

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3. Performing ergonomic job hazard analyses of those work stations with identified risk factors

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4. After implementing control measures, conducting periodic surveys and follow-up to evaluate changes

Worksite Analysis

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SYMPTOM SURVEY

1. Note areas of pain or

discomfort

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2. What do you feel in the source?

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3. What environmental changes would help?

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4. What other feedback can be gathered?

Ergonomics Risk Factors

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JOB RISK FACTORS:

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1. Weight of load

2. Location/size of load

3. Frequency of the task

4. Duration and pace of cycle

5. Stability of load

6. Coupling of load

7. Travel distances of worker

8. Reach distances of worker

9. Symmetry between worker and the work

Ergonomics Risk Factors

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10. Static work posture

a) Standing

b) Sitting

11. Work platforms or stairs

12. Torso flexion (bending)

a) Mild (up to 45 degrees)

b) Severe (greater than 45

degrees)

13. Work heights (too high or too

low)

14. Floor surfaces (wet, smooth,

vibration)

JOB RISK FACTORS:

Ergonomics Risk Factors

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15. Environment

a) Hot (sweat, reduced grip,

fatigue)

b) Cold (gloves reduce grip by

as much as 30%)

16. Lighting

a) posture problems (because

of inability to see)

17. Noise/vibration

a) Frequency very important

b) Can amplify through the body

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JOB RISK FACTORS:

Continued

Ergonomics Risk Factors

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Continued

Typical Office Ergonomics Problem

• TENDINITIS:
• Characterized by inflammation of tendons or their surrounding sheaths

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• REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY - RSI:
• RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) disorders can begin as mildly aggravating and with the continuance of bad habits, may quickly progress to be debilitating

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Typical Office Ergonomics Problem

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME - CTS:

A Specific, Severe and a Debilitating

Form of RSI

• Described as a Squeezing of the Median Nerve As It Runs Into the Hand
• The Nerve Is Squeezed by Swollen Tendons Surrounding It As They Cross Through a Bony Passage or Carpal Tunnel at the Inside of the Wrist

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Continued

Typical Office Ergonomics Problem

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME - SYMPTOMS:

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- Tingling of the Hands and Wrists

- Tightness, Discomfort, Stiffness, Soreness or

Burning in the Hands, Wrists, Fingers, Forearms, or

Elbows

- Some Symptoms Include a Feeling of a Need to

Massage Your Hands, Wrists, and Arms

- Clumsiness or Loss of Strength and Coordination

in The Hands Also Can Be Symptoms

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Continued

Typical Office Ergonomics Problem

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME - WHAT TO DO:

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- Correct your work or typing technique

- Keep your wrists in a “neutral” position

- Adjust your work posture (back, hips, shoulders)

- Make sure your workstation is positioned properly

- Make adjustments for your body size

- Consider your height and arm reach distances

- Reduce the amount of force and repetition

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Continued

TYPICAL OFFICE ERGONOMIC PROBLEMS

OFFICE RISK FACTORS:

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Office risk factors are defined as any attribute of a job or task that we know increases the probability of injury or illness.

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INAPPROPRIATE

1. Force - Including - Internal or External

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2. Posture - Such as - Extreme Twisting or Bending

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3. Repetition - Including - Muscle Group Overexertion

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4. Insufficient Rest - Including - Muscle Group Overexertion

Typical Office Ergonomics Problem

Ergonomics Program

Program should include:

• Supervisor must be involved
• Will reduce strain on the body
• Exercise different muscle groups and bones
• Make work more interesting and acceptable
• Good work habits can correct most problems
• Using ergonomically designed equipment

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Ergonomics Program

ADJUSTMENT PERIOD FOR WORKERS:

• Period may take 10 to 20 working days
• Used to be known as “Work Hardening”
• Workers should be told of the adjustment period
• Workers may be uncomfortable with initial adjustments
• Look for improvements in your ability to perform work
• Know that your comfort will improve over time
• Muscles take time to become comfortable with change
• Remember - old habits are hard to break
• Remember - the goal is safety and injury prevention

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Work Station

DW-HSE-TM040

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Work Station

IDEAS FOR WORK STATION IMPROVEMENTS:

1. Anti-glare device on monitor

2. Monitor at correct eye height

3. Paper holder on or next to monitor

4. Ergonomic keyboard

5. Wrist support on keyboard

6. Wrist support on mouse pad

7. Proper body alignment to

keyboard

8. Elbows level with keyboard

9. Fully adjustable work surface

10. Fully adjustable task chair

11. Tactile, comfortable floor surface

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Continued

Work Station

IDEAS FOR WORK STATION IMPROVEMENTS:

12. Foot stool to support lower back

13. Task lighting for fine work

14. Proper indirect area work lighting

15. Proper use of natural lighting

16. Reducing glare of natural lighting

17. Adjustable shelves

18. Shelves no lower than knees

19. Shelves no higher than shoulders

20. Work dividers that reduce noise

21. Headsets verses shoulder phones

22. Ample room to move chair in work

area

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Work Station

WHAT ENCOMPASSES A WORK STATION?

- The anthropometry of the

person

- The lighting of the work area

- The type of furniture in use

- The foot support

- The keyboard

- The posture

- The monitor

- The chair

- And other specific factors

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Remember - The Objective of Ergonomics Is to Fit the Work to the Person

Work Station

DIRECT AND INDIRECT LIGHTING:

• Indirect Lighting:

- Lights the work area

- Needs a soft light to reduce

reflection

- Must not create harsh

shadows

• Direct Lighting:

- Lights the work surface

- Needs to be proper intensity

- Shouldn’t promote glare

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Work Station

NATURAL LIGHTING:

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• Correction of natural lighting problems are dependent on the building design and the furniture arrangement

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• May require more than one adjustment during work day since light conditions can change during the day.

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Work Station

WHERE SHOULD YOU PLACE THE MONITOR?

• Directly in front of normal sitting position
• Not off to one side
• Screen - 18 to 30 inches from your eyes or about an arm’s length
• Out of range of light reflections
• Top of monitor at eye level
• Angle - comfortable for neck
• Keeping monitor clean is critical
• Consult your optometrist often
• Look away at least 20 ft frequently
• Adjust brightness to best comfort level

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Work Station

WHERE SHOULD YOU PLACE THE KEYBOARD?

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• Directly in front of normal sitting position
• Not off to one side
• Level with bottoms of elbows
• Positioned to keep wrists in neutral position
• Positioned above knees

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Work Station

WHERE SHOULD YOU PLACE THE MOUSE?

• Above, and to the outside of knee (rule of thumb)
• Close to keyboard to limit range of motion
• Same level as the keyboard
• Key Point - limit twisting of wrist
• Key Point - limit reach requirements
• Explore different types
• Keep hands and wrists in neutral position

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Work Station

WHAT ABOUT HEIGHT AND REACH DISTANCES?

• Frequently used items:

- Within arm’s reach from keyboard

- Limit reaching above your shoulders

• Paper holders - same height as screen
• Place heavy items lower
• Place lighter items higher
• Place frequently used items closer

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Work Station

FREQUENT TELEPHONE USE:

• Frequent telephone use requires a headset to avoid bending the neck while keyboarding
• Don’t hold the phone squeezed between the neck and shoulder
• Many RSI’s begin with nerve damage or irritation in the neck and shoulders

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Work Station

HAND AND ARM POSITION:

• The Neutral Position.
• Forearms parallel to the floor and the arms not outstretched
• Wrists straight, but not twisted to the right or left

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• Neutral means: The knuckles; wrist and top of the forearm should form a straight line

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Work Station

BACK AND HIP POSITION:

• Back and hips should be at 90 degrees with each other
• Hips should be parallel with the task you are performing
• Back should be well supported against your chair while keying

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Work Station

THE FLOOR SURFACE:

• Feet should be flat on a textured floor or carpet or a sturdy, non slippery surface
• When you move out of a neutral position, you exert force in that area
• The more force you use, the more likely you’ll irritate tendons, muscles, or ligaments
• Non-skid shoes are very helpful
• Foot rests are helpful in relieving leg stress

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Work Station

THE ERGONOMIC CHAIR:

• Backrest - Support inward curve of lower spine and outward curve of upper spine
• Seat - Large enough to accommodate frequent changes in position and firm enough to allow weight to be distributed and supported
• Seat – Support the buttocks, not thighs
• Arm Rests - Elbows should form a 90-degree angle while “hanging” at sides
• If seat height won’t allow feet flat on the floor, use a footrest. This allows lower legs to be vertical and thighs horizontal

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Office Environment

NOISE REDUCTION: DIVIDERS RECOMMENDED

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Office Environment

NOISE REDUCTION: WITH DIVIDERS

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Office Environment

NOISE REDUCTION:

• Establish office policy concerning talking, noise and PA systems
• Establish office policy concerning use of radios
• Insulate office equipment with sound absorbing dividers
• Install sound dampening window coverings
• Consider replacing windows with sound dampening glass
• Install acoustical panels around desks
• Pay close attention to reflected sounds within the office
• Determine affect of reflected sound from the office ceiling
• Determine affect of reflected sound from floor
• Consider installing carpeting to reduce noise
• Relocate noisy equipment to unoccupied area if possible

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Office Environment

LIGHTING:

• Should: Provide soft general lighting within entire room
• Should: Be considered for multiple work stations
• Should: Provide enough light to provide comfortable environment
• Should not: Create harsh shadow areas
• Should not: Be intended to replace direct lighting of work surface

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Office Environment

OFFICE COMFORT:

• Survey employees to determine their comfort level
• Pay attention to health complaints related to air quality
• Discuss temperature and humidity levels with maintenance manager
• Discuss HVAC maintenance requirements with maintenance manager
• Install fans as necessary to control air flow within room
• Ensure an adequate smoking policy exists
• Allow employees to wear appropriate clothing to sustain their comfort
• Adjust room design to capitalize on existing comfort sources
• Consider how window coverings can be used to enhance comfort
• Encourage workers to get fresh air periodically during work day

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Personnel Break & Exercise

ACTIVE BREAKS:

• A short break in work activity
• Should be taken at least every 30 minutes
• Especially if you keyboard for more than 2 hours a day
• Walking and stretching periodically is essential
• Frequently focus your eyes on objects farther away than monitor
• Move arms and shoulders to loosen muscles and allow blood flow
• Change sitting position at least every 15 minutes
• Relive pressure on bottom of upper legs
• Allow blood to circulate through buttocks and legs

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Personnel Break & Exercise

MICRO-BREAKS:

• Short momentary breaks while continuing work activity
• Should occur more often than active breaks
• Occurs when you stop keyboarding to do other things
• Micro break should include specific exercises
• Take or make phone calls
• File papers or get up to get a drink of water
• Rotate chair to a different task in the work station
• Move different sets of muscles and bones

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Personnel Break & Exercise

EXCERISES:

• Shoulder Blade Squeeze
• Raise your forearms
• Point your hands to the ceiling
• Push your arms back
• Squeeze your shoulder blades together
• Hold for at least five seconds and repeat about three times

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Personnel Break & Exercise

EXCERISES:

• Eye Palming Technique:
• Place your elbows on your desk
• Cup your hands and close your eyes
• Place your eyelids gently down onto your palms
• Hold this position for about one minute
• Breath deeply and slowly
• Breath deeply and slowly
• Then uncover your eyes slowly

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Personnel Break & Exercise

EXCERISES:

• Arm and Shoulder Shake :
• Drop your hands to your sides
• Shake your relaxed hands, arms and shoulders
• Rotate your shoulder forward/backward
• Continue gently for at least five seconds
• Repeat three times

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Personnel Break & Exercise

EXCERISES:

• Finger Spanning :
• Place arms straight in front of you and spread your fingers
• Spread as far as possible for at least five seconds
• Spanning can be combined with a Forearm Extensor Stretch by
• Turning the hands so that their backs touch
• Then turn them so the palms face the ceiling

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Personnel Break & Exercise

EXCERISES:

• Shoulder Shrug :
• While sitting erect
• Raise your head while leaning backwards
• Hold for 3 or 4 seconds
• Lower shoulders all the way down
• Repeat 2 or 3 times

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Work Station Design

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GOOD JOB DESIGN

REDUCES

Discomfort, Fatigue, Aches & Pains,

Injuries & Illnesses, Work Restrictions

AVOIDS

Absenteeism, Turnover, Complaints,

Poor Performance, Poor Vigilance

ABATES

Accidents, Productivity Problems,

Poor Quality, and Rework

Work Station Design

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GOOD JOB DESIGN

PREVENTS

PREVENTS

Continued

Work Station Design

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• Design for the Range-of-Motion of the Worker
• Design for the Field of Vision of the Worker
• Design out Extreme Ranges-of-Motion
• Reduce Force in Job Accomplishment
• Reduce the Frequency of Motions Required
• Reduce the Duration of a Specific Task
• Design to Provide Adequate Support to Back, and

Legs

Continued

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Work Station Design

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• Incorporate Adjustable Work Surfaces
• Design Storage Bins to Accommodate Various Heights
• Design Storage Bins to Accommodate Various Reaches
• Design Work Platforms with Ranges-of-Movement
• Incorporate the use of Mechanical or Powered Assists
• Incorporate the use of Floor mats to Reduce Leg

Trauma

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Continued

Summary

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• DO NOT DESIGN FOR THE AVERAGE!
• DO NOT DESIGN FOR YOURSELF!
• THE LARGE MUST BE ABLE TO FIT!
• THE SMALL MUST BE ABLE TO REACH!
• DESIGN FOR A RANGE!
• DESIGN FOR ADJUSTABILITY!

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