Ergonomic Essentials

1
Ergonomic Essentials

• Presented by
• Sandra Shortt, RN
• Kathryn Carnegis
• February 19, 2004

2
In the News

• President Bush
• Cites Federal Workplace Injuries
• Associated Press - Fri, Jan. 09, 2004
• WASHINGTON - Workplace injuries by federal
  employees cost

• More than 2 billion in workers' compensation
  losses
• 168,000 injury claims
• 2 million lost production days a year

"Clearly, government agencies should strive to do
more to improve workplace safety and health and
reduce the costs of injury to workers and
taxpayers," Bush said in a memo to federal
executives. Many workplace
injuries are preventable."

3
Overview

• Definitions
• Symptoms
• Risk Factors

• Prevention
• Workstation Workout
• Workstation Setup
• Team Project
• Resources Questions

4
Definitions

• Ergonomics
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Repetitive Stress Disorder

5
Symptoms

- Pain -

• Numbness or Tingling
• Arm
• Hands
• Fingers

• Range of Motion Reduction
• Shoulder
• Arm
• Hand

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Symptoms (continued)

• Swelling
• Joint
• Muscle
• Weakened Grip

• Weakness or Pain
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Back
• Arm
• Wrist
• Hand

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Symptoms (continued)

• Vision Problems
• Blurring
• Difficulty Focusing
• Headaches
• Fatigue

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Risk Factors
!

• Repetitive motion
• Confined or awkward workspace
• Lifting and carrying heavy objects
• Routinely working with power tools

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Prevention

• Seek early diagnosis and treatment for symptoms
• Stretch everyday
• (sigh )

• Optimize your work environment
• Layout
• Equipment

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Temporary Relief

• Ibuprofen for pain and swelling
• Alternating ice/heat on affected area
• Consult physician promptly if symptoms persist

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Workstation Workout

• Vision
• Focus exercise
• Eye rolling
• Cup palms over closed eyes

• Hands and Wrists
• Finger stretch fist
• Fingertip exercises
• Thumb pull

Frequent mini-exercise breaks are recommended
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Workstation Workout (continued)

• Neck and Back
• Head bends (side to side, forward and back)
• Head turn
• Arms crossed at shoulders shrug
• Arch with linked hands behind back
• Full extension (arms legs as far out as you
  can)

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WorkStation Setup

• Neutral Posture
• Frequent Breaks
• Zones
• User
• Equipment

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User Setup

• Chair
• Seat height tilt
• Knees bent at 900
• Feet flat
• Arms flat on desk
• Lower back against chair back
• Monitor
• 28-24 away from you
• Tilt to reduce glare

• Keyboard Mouse
• Placed so that shoulders are relaxed
• Upper arms at sides
• Hands level with wrists
• Office Supplies Phone
• Place these items out of armspread reach

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Equipment

• Keyboard position

• Mouse position

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Optional Equipment

• Eyestrain or Headaches
• Document Holder
• Anti-glare eyeglasses
• Anti-glare filters

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Optional Equipment (continued)

• Wrist or Hand Discomfort
• Wrist rest
• Wheeled mouse
• Ergonomic keyboard
• Wrist gloves

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Optional Equipment (continued)

• Back, Neck or Shoulder Discomfort
• Armed Chair
• Keyboard Tray
• Footrest
• Back support
• Telephone headset

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Team Project

• Break into groups of 3-4 people
• Take turns arranging the workspace to fit each
  of you
• Review recommendations

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Resources and Questions ?
www.ergoweb.com ergo.human.cornell.edu www.healt
hycomputing.com www.3m.com/us/office/ergonomics