best practices of ergonomics at work place

7/29/2019 best practices of ergonomics at work place

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Best practices of ergonomic atwork place

Lee Shyu Yuan

25 June 2013


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Ergonomic related guidelines from DOSH website


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Awkward Postures

Postures that strain

the neck, shoulders,elbows, wrists,

hands, or back.

Bending, stooping,

twisting, and

reaching, areexamples of

awkward postures.

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool


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Power Grip

The hand grip that

provides maximum

hand power for highforce tasks.

All the fingers wraparound the handle.



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Contact pressure

Pressure from a hand

surface, point, or edge

on any part of the

body



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Pinch Grip

The hand grip that

provides control for

precision and accuracy.

The tool is gripped

between the thumb andfingertips



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Single- handle tools Tube-like tools

measured by handle

length and diameter.

Diameter: The lengthof a straight linethrough the center ofthe handle.



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Double-handle Tools

Plier-like toolsmeasured by handle

length and grip span.

Grip Span: The

distance between the

thumb and fingerswhen the tool jaws are

open or closed.


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Best tool is one that:

Fits the job you are doing

Fits the work space available

Reduce the force you need to apply

Fits your hand

Can be used in a comfortable work position



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How do you know if you have a problem?

Tingling

Swelling in joints

Decrease ability to move

Decrease grip strength

Pain from movement, pressure, or exposure to cold or

vibration

Continuous muscle fatigue

Sore muscles Numbness

Change in the skin colour of your hand or fingertips.



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How do you know if you have a problem?

Continuous muscle fatigue

Sore muscles

Numbness

Change in the skin colour of your hand or fingertips.



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Reduce your risk of injury by

Knowing your job

Look at your work space

Improve work posture

Select the right tool



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Know your job

Cutting, pinching, gripping tools

Pliers

Snips cutters



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Striking tools

hammer



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Driving tools

Screwdrivers

Hand wrenches

Nut drivers

T-handle wrenches



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Struck or hammered tools

Punches

Chisels

Nail sets



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Look at your work space

Select a tool with power grip



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Use short-handle tool that can help you reach your targetdirectly as keep your wrist straight.



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Improve your work posture



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Select the right tool

when force is applied horizontally (in the same directionas your straight forearm and wrist)



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when the force is applied vertically.



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Select a tool with a handle length longer than the widestpart of your hand



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Risk factors on poor seating posture:

Forward head (head protruded forward) Extension of the head (i.e. head tilted upward)

Rounded or slumped shoulders

Back slumped (with flattening of the lumbar curve)

Hips flexed above 90 degrees

Knees flexed beyond 90 degrees

Feet not flat on the floor or foot rest

source: Pain-Free at You PC; Pete Egoscue


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Classic mistakes people make in their seating

position

Strain on your lower back

as your spine must carry

all of the weight of your

upper torso and can befurther aggravated by

tucking your feet under

your chair

source: www.khulsey.com


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Classic mistakes people make in their seating

position

Reclining position putsstrain on both your neck

and lower back, especially if

your chair does not have

proper lumbar support.

Poor viewing angle of the

monitor and negatively

effect your arm and wrist

position in relation to thedesk and keyboard.



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Good seating posture

Proper alignment between yourhead, torso, legs, and arms.

Upper body in perfect verticalalignment

Forearms as horizontal aspossible to avoid wrist strain.

Reduce side glare from thereflective surface of the screen

Adjustable chair and footrest



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Good Standing Posture

Shoulder joint aligned so

the upper arm is aligned

vertically with the trunkin a relaxed position

The elbow should be

straight and in-line withthe forearms


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Lighting ergonomic

Proper lighting makesall work tasks easier.

People receive about85 percent of theirinformation throughtheir sense of sight.

Appropriate lighting,

without glare orshadows, can reduceeye fatigue andheadaches.


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Conveyor workstations

Reduce the risks of musculoskeletal injuries in repetitive& manual tasks

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is developed when

workers must use uncomfortable and/or awkwardpostures for long periods while working


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Thermal Comfort

Person wearing a normal amount of clothing feelsneither too cold nor too warm.

Thermal comfort is important both for one's well-being

and for productivity.

It can be achieved only when the air temperature,humidity and air movement are within the specified

range often referred to as the "comfort zone".


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Thermal Comfort

21 to 23 degrees Celsius provides the best airtemperature for maximum worker productivity.

< 20% humidity : discomfort through drying of the

mucous membranes and skin.

>70% may : development of condensation on surfacesand within the interior of equipment and building

structures


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Back belt

Reduce the forces on thespine, increase intra-abdominal pressure, stiffenthe spine and reduce loadsduring lifting.

Avoid awkward posturesand heavy loads, reducebending motions and in theend, reduce injuries incertain workplaces.


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Proper sitting technique

Lumbar support for

driving


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Why Stretch?

Prevent injury andpromote better health

Increase flexibility

Increase circulation

Prepares joints, muscles,tendons, and nerves foractivity


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Ergonomic newsletter


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Any ergonomic risk factors

Force? Repetition

Awkward posture?

Understand the root cause and plan of action to

remove risk factors.


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How to start?

1. Listen to the employee and understand the problemsthey are having.

2. Review self-care program and injury prevention tools.

3. Evaluate the job for causative ergonomic risk factors.

4. Rinse and Repeat Follow up on a weekly basis

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best practices of ergonomics at work place