1. Ergonomics Review

2. Topics to be covered General Information Specific Information
Risk Factors
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Reducing Ergonomic Hazards
Specific Information
Industrial Ergonomics
Office Ergonomics

3. What is Ergonomics?
The word comes from two Greek words, Ergon and Nomos
Designing the job to fit the worker, not forcing the worker to fit the job
Covers all aspects of a job, from physical stressors to environmental factors

4. Ergonomics- General
The main focus of ergonomics is the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
Current workplace changes have resulted in an increase of MSDs

5. Specific Risk Factors Awkward Postures Forceful Exertions
Repetitive Motions
Duration
Contact Stresses
Vibrations
Others

6. MSDs- General Generally affect a worker's musculoskeletal system
Includes the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues in the back, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and feet
May also be referred to as Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs), Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs), or Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs)

7. Common MSDs Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Tendonitis Neck and Back Injuries
Strains and Sprains
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Trigger Finger

8. Symptoms of MSDs pain, numbness, or tingling in hands or feet
pain in wrists, shoulders, forearms, knees, neck, or back
clumsy hands
headaches or eye strain
ringing in ears
soreness or stiffness in joints or muscles
stabbing or shooting pain in arms or legs
swelling or inflammation in affected areas
redness or warmth in affected areas

9. Reducing the Exposure Engineering Controls
use automated devices to perform certain routine repetitive tasks
maintain equipment to prevent malfunctions
modify workstation design and layout to ensure proper posture
choose tools that reduce musculoskeletal disorder risks through tool size and balance, handle size and position, textured grips, minimal vibration characteristics, and power control.

10. Reducing the Exposure Work Practice Controls
Break up or vary job content to prevent muscle fatigue
Use muscle stretch exercises
Schedule more breaks to allow muscles to recover from repetitive stresses
train workers on how to minimize the number and extent of MSDs

11. Reduce the Exposure Personal Protective Equipment
May not be able to engineer out an ergonomic hazard or reduce it through changes in work practices
Examples: knee pads, gloves

12. Ergonomics- Specific Industrial Ergonomics Office Ergonomics
Back Safety
Proper Tool Use
Office Ergonomics
Workstation
Environment
Work Process

13. Back Disorders The most common MSD
The lower back in very vulnerable to injury
Most back injuries are MSDs that result from the combined effect of many stresses and traumas

14. Risk Factors
NIOSH has identified five main risk factors for back injuries
heavy physical work
lifting and forceful movements
bending and twisting
whole-body vibration
static work postures

15. Protect Your Back Minimize stress from materials handling
review operations to eliminate unnecessary materials handling
keep products on an as-needed basis instead of stockpiling them for future use
shorten the distances that materials must be moved or raised
use mechanical devices and equipment (dollies, pallet jacks, power lifts, etc.) for assistance whenever possible

16. Protect Your Back Follow proper lifting techniques
lift with legs
keep weight close to body and stand straight
pivot with the load (don't twist at the waist)
Strengthen and stretch muscles
poor physical condition and excessive body weight can greatly increase the risk of a back injury by stressing the lower back and increasing its curvature
Strong abdominal muscles help to support the body and prevent back injuries

17. Proper Tool Use
Improper use and design of hand tools can cause severe damage to the hand and arm
Reduce your risk of injury by using these guidelines to select hand tools
Know your job
Look at your work space
Improve your work posture

18. Know Your Job
Before you select a tool, think about the job you will be doing
Using a tool for something other than its intended purpose often damages the tool and could cause you pain, discomfort, or injury
You reduce your chances of being injured when you select a tool that fits the job

19. Know Your Job- Common Examples
Cutting, pinching, gripping
Examples: pliers, snips, cutters
Striking
Example: hammers
Driving
Examples: screwdrivers, hand wrenches, nut drivers

20. Know your job
Consider whether you need the tool to provide power or precision
Select the tool with the correct handle diameter or grip span

21. Power Tasks CLOSED GRIP SPAN for power tasks is not less than 2 inches
HANDLE DIAMETER for power tasks is 1 1/4 inches to 2 inches
OPEN GRIP SPAN for power tasks is not more than 3 1/2 inches
CLOSED GRIP SPAN for power tasks is not less than 2 inches

22. Precision Tasks
HANDLE DIAMETER for precision tasks is 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch
OPEN GRIP SPAN for precision tasks is not more than 3 inches
CLOSED GRIP SPAN for precision tasks is not less than 1 inch

23. Look at your Workspace Pinch grip: Power grip:
Awkward postures may cause you to use more force
Select a tool that can be used within the space available
Example: if you work in a cramped area and high force is required, select a tool that is held with a power grip
Pinch grip: Power grip:

24. Improve your Posture Awkward postures make more demands on your body
The placement of the work piece may affect your shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, or back posture
Whenever possible, choose a tool that requires the least continuous force and can be used without awkward postures

25. Improve your Posture- Example
Avoid raising your shoulders and elbows. Relaxed shoulders and elbows are more comfortable and will make it easier to drive downward force
If you are sitting:
If you are standing:

26. Overview of Office Ergonomics
Workstation (chair, monitor & document, keyboard, mouse)
Environment (lighting, glare)
Work Process

27. Workstation- Chair
A properly designed chair should provide appropriate support for the back, legs, buttocks, and arms
The following items are critical to employees who spend extended hours at the workstation
1. Seat position
2. Chair Height
3. Armrest

28. Chair- Seat Position
The seat and backrest of the chair should support a comfortable posture that allows frequent changing of the seating position
The seat pan should be padded and have a rounded “waterfall” edge which reduces contact stress with the back of the legs

29. Chair- Height
The chair should be height adjustable, especially in areas where they are shared by a number of employees
The chair height is proper when the entire sole of the foot can rest on the floor and the back of the knees are slightly higher than the seat of the chair
Knees should be bent at about 90 degrees

30. Chair- Armrest
Armrests should be adjustable so they can be lowered to fit under work surfaces
Armrests should support forearms while the employee performs tasks and should not interfere with movement.

31. Workstation- Monitor and Document
Monitor and document placement is important in creating a comfortable workstation.
Consider the following items in order to reduce awkward head and neck postures, fatigue and/or headaches:
1. Display
2. Source Document Position

32. Monitor- Display
The monitor should be kept directly in front of the user
The topmost line of the screen should be no higher than the user’s eyes
The preferred viewing distance is 18 to 24 inches. If there is not enough table depth to accommodate this distance, install a keyboard extender or tray underneath the desk

33. Monitor- Display (cont.)
Viewing the monitor for long periods of time can cause eye fatigue and dryness
Rest eyes periodically by focusing on an object at least 20 feet away
Stop, look away, blink and/or stretch at regular intervals

34. Document- Source Position
The screen and document holder should be close enough together so the operator can look from one to the other without excessive movement of the head, neck or back

35. Workstation- Keyboard and Mouse
The proper position of the keyboard and mouse is essential in creating a comfortable workstation. Consideration of the following factors can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis:
1. Height and Orientation
2. Placement
3. Design and Use

36. Keyboard and Mouse- Height and Orientation
The keyboard and/or chair should be adjusted so the employee’s elbows hang comfortably at the side of the body
Shoulders should be relaxed and the wrists should not be bent up or down or to either side
The angle of the keyboard should also be considered

37. Keyboard and Mouse- Placement
The keyboard should be placed directly in front of the user
The mouse should be positioned at the operator's side with his or her arm close to the body
The upper arm should not be
elevated or extended while
using the mouse

38. Keyboard and Mouse- Design and Use
Wrists should not be bent sideways or up and down while keying
Reduce bending of the wrists by moving the entire arm.
A mouse pad or wrist rest can be used to help maintain straight wrists

39. Environment- Lighting
Inappropriate lighting is a major factor in visual discomforts such as eyestrain, burning or itching eyes, headache, and blurred vision
For optimal comfort, the following factors should be considered:
Amount of light
Contrast of light with environment

40. Lighting- Amount of Light
                         
Bright light on the display screen "washes out" images making it difficult for operators to clearly see the work
Use light diffusers, desk/task lighting, or try removing middle bulbs of 4-bulb fluorescent light fixtures

41. Lighting- Amount of Light (cont.)
Use blinds or drapes on windows to eliminate bright light
You may want to reorient your workstation so that bright lights are not in your field of view

42. Lighting- Contrast with Environment
To avoid high contrast between light and dark areas of the computer screen, work area, and surrounding areas use well distributed light
Use light, matte colors on walls and ceilings in order to better reflect indirect lighting and reduce dark shadows and contrast.

43. Environment- Glare
Glare on the viewing screen may cause eyestrain, headaches and fatigue. The worker may not be conscious of the irritation; however, over the course of a long day, it can cause problems. The following sources of light may cause glare:
1. Direct
2. Reflected
                     

44. Glare- Direct
Orient workstations so that light sources do not reflect on the screen
Use blinds or drapes on windows to help reduce glare
Clean the monitor frequently. A layer of dust can contribute to glare
If nothing else works, you may try a glare screen that attaches to the monitor

45. Glare- Reflected
To limit reflection from walls and work surfaces around the screen, these areas should be painted a medium color and have a non-reflective finish
Tilt the monitor down slightly to prevent it from reflecting overhead light

46. Work Process
                          
Even when the workstation design and environmental factors are at their best, a worker can suffer discomfort and injuries from factors related to the work process.
Prolonged and Repetitive Activities
Inappropriate Production Requirements
Excessive Overtime
Inadequate Medical Awareness
Inadequate Training

47. Prolonged and Repetitive Activities
Although computer work may appear to require little exertion, repetitive movements can lead to pain or injury
Workstations should be provided so employees can change working posture
Rest breaks
Alternative job duties

48. Inappropriate Production Requirements/ Overtime
If standards are set too high, employees may work without taking breaks
This may benefit your department in the short run, but the long term effects
may lead to higher injury rates
Take Breaks!!!

49. Inadequate Medical Awareness
Symptoms of injuries should be reported as soon as they start to develop
Consult with a medical specialist who has experience with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

50. Handout- Workstation Checklist
Use this checklist to analyze your workstation

51. Working Safely
By learning the basics of ergonomics and the signs of musculoskeletal disorders, you can help to protect your health and increase workplace safety