Scribd
Upload
10 views33 pages

Office Ergonomics Training

Uploaded by

ALI ASGHAR
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
10 views33 pages

Office Ergonomics Training

Uploaded by

ALI ASGHAR
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 33

Office Ergonomics​

Department of Environmental
Health & Safety
Overview
• What is ergonomics?
• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs)
• Signs/symptoms of WMSDs
• Risk factors associated with WMSDs
• Computer workstation design and work practices to reduce risk factors
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science and practice
of designing tasks and workplaces considering
human capabilities and limitations

or

fitting the task to the person


Applied Ergonomics
Where can ergonomic principles be applied?

• Office
• Shops
• Laboratory
• Agriculture
• Construction
• Manual material handling
• Anywhere!
Benefits of Ergonomics
• Prevention of Work-Related
Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)
• Reduced fatigue and discomfort
• Increased productivity
• Improved quality of work
• Enhanced quality of life
What Are Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders?
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders—or WMSDs—are soft-tissue injuries to
muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, blood vessels, and nerves that usually
develop gradually.

They are also known as:


• Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs)
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
• Overuse injuries
Common WMSDs
WMSDs affect parts of the body when demands on them go beyond what they can
handle. Typically they occur in moving parts of the body, such as the neck, back,
shoulder, elbow, wrist, and knee.

• Low back injury


• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Epicondylitis
• De Quervain’s syndrome
Symptoms of WMSDs
• Discomfort • Numbness
• Pain • Tingling
• Swelling • Burning sensations
• Loss of range of motion • Shooting/stabbing pains
• Stiffness or tight muscles • Weakness or clumsiness in the hands;
• Hands or feet feel like they are falling dropping things
“asleep”
When Are Symptoms of WMSDs a Concern?
Having one or more symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has a WMSD.
However, a task should be evaluated when:

• The person associates symptoms with specific movements, postures, and/or tasks
• The symptoms are chronic
• They appear to worsen throughout the workday and week, with some relief in the
evenings and on the weekends
Why Is It Important to Act Early?
• Early modifications to work conditions are more
successful
• Ignoring symptoms can lead to injuries requiring
more intensive treatment, including surgery
• Early treatment is more successful
• Untreated symptoms and injuries might result in
permanent disability
Causes of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
The causes of WMSDs are considered multifactorial. Exposure to the following risk
factors or combination of risk factors might lead to a WMSD.

• Awkward and static postures


• High hand forces
• Highly repetitive motions
• Mechanical/contact stress
Awkward & Static Postures
• Reaching up and over the keyboard to use the mouse
• Using the keyboard/mouse with unsupported arms
• Leaning forward to read papers on the desk
• Typing with bent/deviated wrists
• Turning the head to one side to view monitor
• Phone cradling
High Hand Force
Office tasks can require only moderate amounts of force applied with very
small muscle groups.

• Tightly gripping the mouse or telephone


• “Pounding” on the keys
• Grasping thick file folders
• Lifting heavy manuals with one hand
• Stapling, stamping, or three-hole punching
Highly Repetitive Motions
Repeatedly performing same or similar motions without recovery time can lead to
discomfort or trauma.

• Using the keyboard


• Using the mouse
• 10-keying
• Filing
Mechanical/Contact Stress
Caused by hard or sharp surfaces pressing
into soft tissues.

• Resting wrists on desk edge


• Leaning elbows on hard armrests or
work surfaces
• Sitting in a chair that places pressure on
the back of the thighs
Computer Vision Syndrome
Collection of symptoms associated with looking at a monitor for prolonged periods:

• Burning, itchy, watery, or dry eyes


• Headaches
• Eyestrain/blurred vision
• Neck and back aches

Prevention: workstation design, a clean monitor,


20/20/20 rule, frequent blinking, prescription eyewear
Risk Factor Exposure
Risk of developing a WMSD depends on:

• The duration of exposure


o Usually need hours of exposure
o Can be all at one time or cumulative over days
• The frequency of exposure
• The intensity of exposure

Exposure to combinations of risk factors increases the chances of developing a WMSD.


WMSD Prevention
Preventing WMSDs involves:

• Designing or modifying workstation configuration


o Chair
o Desk and keyboard/mouse tray
o Input devices
o Monitor
• Office lighting
• Developing and modifying tasks
o Task variability
Computer Workstation Design
Good design minimizes
awkward and static postures →
by allowing the user to:

• Sit in a neutral posture →


• Frequently change postures
• Locate equipment and materials based on use
Computer Workstation Design
Ten factors to consider when designing/modifying a computer workstation:

1. Chair adjustability
2. Desk height and keyboard/mouse tray
3. Input devices
4. Monitor type, location, and height
5. Location of work materials
Computer Workstation Design
Ten factors to consider when designing/modifying a computer workstation (continued):

6. Multi-user vs. single-user workstations


7. Tasks—multi-tasking vs. single task
8. Handedness
9. Lighting
10. The interaction of the above factors

Good design = desired behavior


Computer Workstation Design—Chair
Chairs should be equipped with the following
adjustable features:

• Height
• Arm rests
• Back rest/lumbar support
• Seat pan depth and tilt

Ideally, the chair is fitted to the user and then the


workstation is adjusted to seated user.
Computer Workstation Design—Desk
Desk and keyboard/mouse tray height :

• Dependent on the height of the seated user


• Should keep the body in neutral postures
• Tray should be adjustable to accommodate
changing postures and different users
• Tray location dependent on tasks and handedness
Computer Workstation Design—Desk
Tasks and user handedness impacts workstation design:

• Workstation configuration – standard, L-shaped, or U-shaped


• Required desktop writing workspace
• Single task vs. multitasking
• Document holders vs. desk slants
• Telephone use
• Other equipment (i.e., ten-key)
Computer Workstation Design—Work Layout

Proper placement
of equipment and
materials assures
the user will work
in neutral postures.
Computer Workstation Design—Input Devices
Types and locations

The key is for wrists and arms to be in neutral postures.


Computer Workstation Design—Monitor
Computer monitor should be:
• Far away from user as possible
and still comfortably see
• Directly in front of user
• Top tilted away from user
• Top of screen level with eyes
(lower for bifocal wearers)

Other considerations:
• CRT vs. LCD
• lighting and glare
Computer Workstation Design—Lighting
Computer Workstation Design—Lighting
Computer workstation lighting considerations:

• Frequency and duration of computer use


• Computer and non-computer tasks
• Sources of glare
• Full-spectrum lighting
• Lighting levels (35-50 foot-candles)
Task Development & Variability
Developing or modifying tasks depends on three
interacting factors

Task variability offers several advantages:

• Opportunity to change postures


• Users will be more alert and productive
• Different tasks use different muscle groups
• Provides recovery time and pauses for stretches
• Tasks with highly repetitive motions and high hand
forces can be spread out throughout the workday
Laptops
Laptop computers pose unique ergonomic considerations when used like a PC.

Laptops violate a number of basic ergonomic principles

Use an external mouse and keyboard (and possibly a monitor)


Your Role
• Let your supervisor know if you are experiencing symptoms
• Evaluate your workstation and tasks
• Consider different equipment
• Change the way you perform tasks
• Take micro breaks and increase task variability
• Assess home computer workstation and tasks
• Keep fit – exercise (aerobic, flexibility, and strength)
• Consult with your physician and eye care professional
• Listen to your body!
Questions & Consultation

If you have additional questions or would like to schedule an ergonomic evaluation,


contact the Department of Environmental Health & Safety at [email protected] or 8-7621.

You might also like