1. Office Ergonomics

2. Office Work & Human/Computer Interactions
Work station design
Posture
Keyboards
Software/human interactions
Human Behavior

3. Office Work & Human/Computer Interactions
Early studies 1980’s
Eye problems
Shoulder problems
Lower back problems
Neck strain
Hand & wrist problems
                                 

4. Office Work & Human/Computer Interactions
1991 study of 420 medical secretaries
63 % reported neck/shoulder pain
51% low back pain
30 % hand/wrist pain
15 % elbow pain

5. Who’s At Risk?
Nearly everyone, but women report more incidents of discomfort
Low motivation
Poor workstation design
Many short term studies, few long term or independent studies.

6. Are some people at greater risk than others?
Some researchers think so….
Studies quoted on Cornell’s ergo web site link repetitive motion injuries to…
Working with the wrists in deviated postures for any reason: causes compression of the median nerve
Static postures, especially using a pinch grip to hold something in place

7. Some studies have shown greater risks for people who are…
Pregnant
Obese
Lack general physical capabilities, such as strength
People who feel as if they lack control over work pace, environment, and communication

8. Prevention is crucial to Cost Containment
Evaluate all contributing factors =
Hazard Identification
Task/Processes
Environment
Workers
Equipment/Materials

9. Hazard Prevention Neutral positioning Workstation design
Work/rest periods
Task rotation
Exercise

10. What is neutral positioning?
Non-stressed postures
Relaxed, right angles at
Knees, hips and elbows
Wrists straight rather than flexed (down) or extended (up)
Lower and upper back supported

14. Computer Workstations
Key Elements
Good Working Positions
Work Process
Workstation Environment
Workstation Components

15.                    
Good Working Postures
Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor.
Head is level, or bent slightly forward, forward facing, and balanced. Generally it is in-line with the torso.
Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally at the side of the body.
Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90 and 120 degrees.
Feet are fully supported by floor or footrest.
Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar support when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly.
Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the floor.
Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward.
                                          

16. Work Process Task Organization Impacts repetition
Prolonged periods of activity
Medical awareness & training

17. Work Environment
Lighting
Glare
Ventilation
Noise

18. Workstation Design Chairs Monitors Keyboards Pointer/Mouse
Wrist/Palm Support
Document Holders
Desks
Telephones
Footrests
                                     
                                     

19. Elements of good work station design
Adjustable chairs
Keyboard height and angle
Avoid sharp edges
Monitor height and angle
Glare, poor contrast, etc. are risk factors

20. Chairs Ideas about correct posture go back to 1884
Upright vs. backward leaning, pressure on disks, lower back
Chair provides support for upper and lower back

21. Need to be adjustable in many different directions
Chairs
Need to be adjustable in many different directions
Height
Tilt of seat pan
Angle of back
Provide lumbar support
Adjustable arms
Capacity, seat width

22. Ergonomic Chairs
Chair Specifications
                          
Seat Height Backrest Seat Size
                        
    
10 Standard Adjustments
Pneumatic Seat Height
Seat Angle or Tilt
Seat Angle Tension Control
Backrest Angle
Backrest Height
Backrest Depth
Inflatable Lumbar
Armrest Height
Armrest Rotation/Swivel
Armrest Width
Small Seat
Minimal Contour
Seat Height: 16.5" " Backrest: 19.5"W x 22.5"H Seat Size: 19"W x 17"D

23. Ergonomic Chairs Deep Contoured Seat, Knee Tilt Available Big & Tall
Chair Specifications
                          
Seat Height Backrest Seat Size
                        
16.5" " 19.5"W x 22.5"H 22.5"W x 17"D
Chair Specifications
                          
Seat Height Backrest Seat Size
                        
18" - 23" 24"W x 26"H 26"W x 21"D
Deep Contoured Seat, Knee Tilt Available
Big & Tall

27. Monitors Viewing Distance: 20”-40” Viewing Angle: 15-20 degrees
below horizontal
Viewing Time
Viewing Clarity
                                  

28. Keyboard Placement – Height & Distance
Keyboards
The objective is to keep the hands and wrists in as “neutral” a position as possible
Adjustments, may include tilting or not tilting the keyboard, wrist rests in front of the keyboard, and repositioning the entire body
Alternative shapes of keyboards may help:
Split
Tented/Angled
Negative Slope
Supportive
Scooped
Keep in mind
Keyboard Placement – Height & Distance
Design & Use

33. Pointer/Mouse Interactions
For CAD operators
Thumb and forefinger problems
Change kind of mouse
Thumb joint pain, switch to “Uniball” or three-finger mouse
Keep in mind
Pointer Placement
Pointer Size, Shape, & Settings

34. Wrist/Palm Supports
In general, research supports the idea of resting the hands on some kind of a surface during keying pauses.
The use of wrist rests has been associated with reduced muscle activity in the arms and shoulders, straighter wrist postures, comfort, and preference.
                                                                                                    

35. Wrist/Palm Supports Caution
Some research suggests that wrist rest users sit in a somewhat more reclined posture than people without wrist rests, which is known to be comfortable and healthy for the back
However, wrist rests are not without potential problems
Caution

36. Wrist/Palm Supports
Not all studies of wrist rests show positive effects
Use of wrist rest causes the fluid pressure in the carpal tunnel to rise, sometimes significantly
Use of convex wrist rests, which concentrate pressure in a small area, are less desirable than broad, flat ones
Benign cysts apparently have been caused by constant pressure on the wrist
Typists should use them during keying pauses, not during keying, in order to have free hand and arm movement and to reduce the amount of time the wrist is compressed

37. Document Holder
Are designed to minimize eye and neck movement by keeping your documents at the proper viewing level

38. Desks Work Surface Depth
Location of Frequently Used Devices Should be Located in Repetitive Access Zone
                                                            
Recommended Zones for Workplace Components

40. Telephones
Head sets can help avoid neck and shoulder strain for telephone use.
                    
                           

41. Footrests Reduces leg strain and promotes circulation
Reduces strain on lower back
Should position your knees to roughly a 90 degree angle

42. Other Considerations

43. An element of a good prevention strategy
Work/rest periods
An element of a good prevention strategy
Provide regular breaks by inserting a different kind of task into the routine
Some studies recommend 5 minutes of rest per hour of typing
Other studies recommend 15 minutes of rest per four hours of work.

44. Alternate other kinds of office tasks, such as filing, copying
Task Rotation
Alternate other kinds of office tasks, such as filing, copying
Caution: May be just as repetitive as typing and use the same motions and muscles
However, more productive and feel less like an interruption than “just a break

45. Task Rotation & Breaks
Some companies have actually installed software that “shuts down” the system for regular breaks
Other companies have organized or signaled breaks
These can be aggravating, as they interrupt a task in progress

46. Eyestrain is the most common complaint from computer users
Intensive use
Software Interactions
Inadequate or detrimental lighting and monitor conditions
Distance to monitor
Ambient lighting
Glare
Pre-existing eye conditions, including those you may not be aware of
Stress
                                          

48. A study conducted by Cornell University
Eye Strain
A study conducted by Cornell University
Showed that there was an increase in the number of cases of repetitive stress injuries after new and hard to use software was introduced
Especially if there were multiple screens or fields on the monitor simultaneously

49. Eye Strain Prevention Task rotation Get a professional eye examination
Control the lights & the monitor
Enough light on documents
Eliminate glare
Rearrange the workstation
Anti-glare screen

50. Solving Office Ergonomic Problems
Evaluate non-work stressors
Evaluate work stressors
Use checklists
Use workers’ compensation claim data
Use personal interviews/discomfort surveys
Conduct job safety analysis
Observation
Measurements
Implement solutions
Provide Employee Training

51. Analyze a problem job
Think about the role behavior plays in ensuring proper use and comfort.
A claim of “ergonomic design” will not ensure improved use or comfort, (or reduced risk factors) if behaviors have been ignored
For instance, if workers will not use the new tool, it cannot reduce the risk

52. Questions?