Office Ergonomics

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Office Ergonomics
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TRAINING OBJECTIVES

• Provide information that will assist you to
• Prevent Ergonomic Injuries Illnesses
• Recognizing Controlling Risk Factors
• Modifying Work Area

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WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?

• ERGON Work NOMOS Law
• The study of human - machine interface
• Fitting the job to the worker
• A mismatch between the physical requirements of
  the job and the physical capacity of the body,
  may cause or aggravate CTD symptoms.

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WHAT ARE CTDs?

• Cumulative Occurring gradually over a period of
  weeks, months or years.
• Trauma Bodily injury to nerves, tissues,
  tendons, joints of the body.
• Disorder Physical ailments of abnormal
  conditions.

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CTD EXAMPLES

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Pressure on Median Nerve from tendons in the
  wrist
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
• Pressure on Ulner nerve at the elbow

• Tendenitis
• Inflammation of tendons
• Epicondylitis
• Tennis Elbow
• Golfers Elbow

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CTDs vs ALL ILLNESSES
OF TOTAL ILLNESSES
YEAR
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INCREASE OF CTDs?

• Increase in automation
• Computers
• Machinery
• Increase in knowledge
• Personal health

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ERGONOMICS AND YOU

• Ergonomics Injuries /Illnesses can
• Disrupt Home Life
• Disrupt Work
• Reduce Self-Confidence

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ERGONOMICS RISK FACTORS

• Posture Position
• Repetition / Frequency
• Sustained Static Exertions
• Forceful Exertions
• Localized Contact Stresses
• Individual Variability

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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• Pain
• Discomfort
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Limited Movement

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DEVELOPMENT OF CTDs
Localized fatigue
Chronic pain
Recognized pathologies
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OFF-THE -JOB RISK FACTORS

• Gardening
• Sewing
• Bowling
• Biking
• Carpenters
• Musicians
• Mechanics
• Golfing
• Hair Dressers

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ADJUST THE TOOLS-NOT YOUR BODY

• Chair
• Keyboard
• Monitor
• Lighting
• Mouse
• Document stand

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ADJUSTING YOUR CHAIR

• Learn what your chair can do
• Adjust the height
• Position your arms
• Support your back
• Rest your feet

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KEYBOARD TRAYS

• Adjustable
• The tray should be wide enough to hold both the
  keyboard and the mouse
• Wrist rest
• The tray should not wobble when you use the
  keyboard

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USING YOUR KEYBOARD

• Strike softly
• Hands should float to work
• Use wrist rest when not actively keying
• Keep wrists straight-in a neutral position

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YOUR MOUSE

• Hold it lightly and click without using force
• Keep the mouse close to the keyboard
• Switch between the mouse and keyboard (short cut
  keys)
• Avoid holding on the mouse when not mousing

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YOUR MOUSE

• Use a mouse pad thats big enough for the mouse
  to move around freely
• Keep the mouse ball clean
• Use other input devices

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THE MONITOR

• Directly in front of you
• Top of the screen below eye level
• Font size, color, brightness, contrast

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DOCUMENT STAND

• To reduce eyestrain place the stand at the same
  distance as the screen
• Between the screen and the keyboard
• Next to the screen

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LIGHTING

• Task lighting
• the light should not reflect off the page
• position to prevent glare on VDT screen
• Room lighting
• Overhead
• tilt or swivel your screen for a clear view
• reduce overhead lighting
• diffusion
• glare screen or hood
• Windows
• Close blinds as sun shifts during the day

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BACK RISKS IN VDT WORK

• The lower back flattens in the sitting position
• Sitting increases the disc pressure
• Static sitting posture
• Chairs that are too large or too small for some
  workers provide poor body support
• Chairs too high or too low creates pressure point

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ARM AND WRIST RISKS IN VDT WORK

• Extending the arm to reach mouse that is some
  distance from the keyboard
• Raising the shoulders to compensate for a high
  keyboard
• Move the wrist side ways when mousing

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ARM AND WRIST RISKS IN VDT WORK

• Bending wrists upward or downward during keying
• Bending the wrist sideways away from the thumb
  when reaching for the side keys
• Pounding the keys
• Repetition

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GOOD POSTURE PRACTICES

• Position your arms
• Neutral wrists and elbows
• Support your back
• Periodic posture changes
• Rest your feet

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EYESTRAIN RISKS IN VDT WORK

• Factors affecting the ability to see well are
• Glare
• Luminance (brightness) ratio between the screen
  and its immediate environment
• Lighting levels
• Font size and contrast

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EYESTRAIN RISKS IN VDT WORK

• Viewing distance
• Monitor or document height
• Readability of screen
• Vision correction

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CONTROL OF RISK FACTORS

• Workstation modification
• Alternate tasks
• Work / Rest schedules
• Change work method
• Exercises
• Early reporting of discomfort

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NECK AND SHOULDER RISKS IN VDT WORK

• Static Posture
• Asymmetrical Head Position
• Repetition of up-down Movement
• Hunched shoulder
• Stress

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CONTROL MEASURES FOR NECK RISKS

• Place the monitor in-line with the body
• Top of screen below eye level
• Use document holder
• Avoid cradling the Phone

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CONTROL MEASURES FOR EYESTRAINS

• Large size fonts and good contrast
• Dark text on light background
• Line of vision parallel to light source
• Line of vision parallel to light source
• Window treatment/antiglare screen
• 20/20 rule