1. Office Ergonomics
D.Y. Maheshwari
R & E (ACD)
KPCL

2. ????
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

3. ERGONOMICS
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

4. OFFICE ERGONOMICS
Office ergonomics can refer to office equipment, general office environment and workplace policies that are designed to improve the efficiency of the office worker by enhancing his/her physical comfort.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

5. NEED OF ERGONOMICS Decrease fatigue, pain and injuries
Reduce occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and repetitive stress injuries (RSIs)
Increase comfort and productivity
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

6. Risk Factors are Additive/Synergistic
MSD or MSI
Musculoskeletal Disorder / Injury
An injury or disorder of the soft tissues, including tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves or related soft tissues, arising from exposure to risk factors such as awkward posture, repetitive motions, and forceful exertions. These injuries can be acute or cumulative.
MSD Risk Factors:
Repetition
Compression/Contact Stress
Force
Posture/Position
Duration
Cold
Risk Factors are Additive/Synergistic
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

7. ERGONOMIC INJURIES Carpal tunnel syndrome Back injuries/pain
Tendonitis
Rotator cuff injuries
Tenosynovitis (trigger finger)
Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Carpal Tunnel – symptoms often burning/tingling/weakness in palm, thumb, index and middle fingers. Caused by compression of median nerve
Back injuries – caused by poor posture, improper lifting. Can prevent with strengthening core muscles, improve posture and lifting.
Rotator cuff injuries – includes shoulder muscles and ligaments. Caused by overhead work, heavy lifting.
Tendonitis – inflammation of a tendon, tendon connects muscle to bone, often caused by overuse or increase in use
Tenosynovitis – inflammation of tendon sheath
Epicondylitis – caused by repetitive lifting at elbow, movement at wrist or grasping
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

8. MSD Signs and Symptoms Numbness or a burning sensation in the hand
Reduced grip strength in the hand
Swelling or stiffness in the joints
Pain in wrists, forearms, elbows, neck, or back
Reduced range of motion in the shoulder, neck, or back
Dry, itchy, or sore eyes
Blurred or double vision
Aching or tingling
Cramping
Weakness
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

9. Prevention Ergonomics Environment Person Behavior (Health and Safety)
Breaks
Process/Task
Furniture
Tools
Equipment
Weight
Awareness
Stretching
Non-work activities
Physical fitness
Medical conditions
Position/Posture
Lighting
Ventilation
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

10. Change in Behaviour Neutral Body Posture 14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

11. Bad Postures
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12. However…
There is no single “correct” posture or arrangement of components that will fit everyone.
Regardless of how good your working posture is, working in the same posture or sitting still for prolonged periods is not healthy.
It is up to the individual to learn and practice proper posture.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

13. Breaks/Rest Periods Breaks/Microbreaks – at least once per hour
Reduce injuries, won’t decrease productivity
Can be as short as 30 to 60 seconds
Focus on an object 20 feet away
Not required to stop work, can change task
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

14. Stretches
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15. Change in Environment Workstation Design Work Environment Chair
Work Surface (Desk)
Monitor
Input Devices (Keyboard & Mouse)
Accessories
Work Environment
Lighting
Glare
Ventilation
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

16. Chairs A Good Chair.. Provides lumbar support. Height can be adjusted.
Width is appropriate for the individual using the chair.
Backrest is adjustable.
Seat depth – well-fitted or adjustable.
Adjustable or removable soft armrests.
Five-prong base.
Well-fitted – small, medium or large chair.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

17. Some Tips...
Armrests
Too low may cause you to lean over to the side to rest one forearm.
Too high may cause you to maintain raised shoulders
Too wide cause you to reach with the elbow and bend forward for support.
Too close can restrict movement in and out of the chair.
Too large or inappropriately placed may interfere with the positioning of the chair.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

18. Work Surface (Desk)
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

19. A Good Work Surface Height is appropriate for person and task
Desk surface should allow you to place the monitor directly in front of you, at least 20 inches away
Keyboard tray, preferably adjustable
Adequate work area
No sharp edges on the sitting side
No obstructions under the desk
Frequently used items within reach
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

20. Recommended Work Surface Zones
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21. Monitor Monitor Positioning & Viewing:
The monitor should be located directly in front of you.
The monitor front surface should be placed at around inches (50 and 100 cm) from the eye.
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

22. Monitor Top of the monitor should be at or slightly below eye level.
The centre of the computer monitor should normally be located 10 to 15 degrees below horizontal eye level.
The monitor should also be tilted ~15 degrees for proper accommodation of the eye.
Display screen is too high-Bad
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

23. Monitor
People wearing bifocals need to keep the monitor even lower to avoid tilting of neck.
Free from glare, reflections and dust to avoid eye strain.
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

24. Input Devices Key Boards Mouse 14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

25. Keyboards Factors that lead to MSDs
Keyboard height is too high or too low
Side bending of wrist
Keyboard kept too far or too near to the body
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

26. Recommendations Put the keyboard directly in front of you.
Adjust the chair height and work surface height to maintain a neutral body posture.
Elbows should be about the same height as the keyboard and hang comfortably to the side of the body.
Shoulders should be relaxed, and wrists should be straight and in line with the forearms.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

27. Recommendations
Consider using a keyboard tray if desk and chair are not adjustable, provided there is good leg room available.
Consider alternate keyboard designs which promote neutral position.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

28. Mouse Factors that lead to MSDs
The mouse is not kept in same plane as the keyboard.
The mouse is kept too far away.
Inappropriate size of mouse - too big or too small leading to increase in finger force and bending of the wrist.
Inappropriate sensitivity.
Contact stress at the heel of the palm
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

29. Recommendations
Keep the mouse in the same plane and near the keyboard.
Use a mouse pad with a wrist/palm rest to promote neutral wrist posture.
Switch the side of keyboard on which the mouse is kept by changing hands.
Limit the use of mouse by using the keys and function on the keyboard instead.
Use appropriate size mouse.
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

30. Recommendations
Sensitivity should be set so you can control the pointing device with a light touch and should be able to cover the full screen while the wrist is maintained in a straight, neutral posture.
Consider use of alternatives like touch pad or finger tip joystick may be less fatiguing for certain operations
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

31. Shortcut Keys
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32. Accessories Wrist / Palm supports Document reader
Documents should be at the same height and distance as the monitor.
BAD
BETTER
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

33. Accessories Foot Rest Phone Placing the telephone too far away
Holding the phone between the shoulder
and neck.
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Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

34. Work Environment Lighting Glare Ventilation 14-Jan-19
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35. Lighting & Glare Causes of Eye Strain & Headaches
Bright lights shining directly on the display screen "wash out" images.
Overhead lights
Windows.
High contrast between light and dark areas of the computer screen, horizontal work surface, and surrounding areas.
Bright light sources behind the display screen can create contrast problems.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

36. Recommendations
Arrange office such that source of light is parallel to your line of sight . (Overhead lights as well as windows)
No light sources next to or behind monitor.
Provide light diffusers and blinds on windows
Can use anti-glare filter
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

37. Ventilation
Poor air circulation can result in stuffy or stagnant conditions.
Air conditioners or heaters that directly "dump" air on users.
Dry air can dry the eyes.
Temperatures above or below standard comfort levels can affect comfort and productivity.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

38. Recommendations Do not sit directly under the AC vent.
Or use air ventilation diffusers to redirect
the air flow
It is recommended to maintain humidity level between 20% to 60%
The recommended ambient indoor temperatures range between 20° and 23.5° C during heating season and between 23° and 26° C during the cooling season.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E

39. References United States Department of Labor
International Ergonomics Association
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders.
14-Jan-19
Kirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. – R & E