Industrial and Office

Ergonomics

Prepared by: Dan Sawalldan.sawall@yahoo.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/dansawall

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is not an exact science and can be open to interpretation. However a little common sense goes a long way.

Ergonomics is:

A study of the relation between people and their work environment.

Used to prevent injuries and illnesses associated with the design of physical work.

Science of fitting the work to the user instead of forcing the user to fit the work.

Used to increase employee safety and comfort and to optimize work performance and quality.

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Why Do We Need Ergonomics?

Fatigue Pain Illness – sprains, back ache, etc. Low morale Frustration & Irritation

Effects on the Operator Effects on the Company Poor Quality Absenteeism Higher costs Higher employee turnover &

training

Examples of work requirements that can cause discomfort, fatigue, injury, and illness are: Stretching to reach Repeated heavy lifting High pinch forces Working with hands above

shoulders

Handling objects that are sharp, very hot, or very cold.

Long periods of work without a change in body posture.

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What are the Benefits?If people feel more at ease and comfortable on the job, they will be safer and there is a higher chance of quality productivity. Higher productivity

Higher quality

Reduced operator injury

Increased morale

Greater job satisfaction

Lower medical & insurance costs

Reduced lost time

Lower absenteeism

Less employee turnover

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What are the risks?

Physical Activity

Fatigue

Physical Exertion

Fatigue & Recovery

Over-exertion & Cumulative Trauma

Body Type

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What are Risk Factors?

Frequent Hand Use

Arms Extended

Bending & Twisting

Static Body Posture

Using Force

Vibration

Contact Stress

Temperature

Noise

Fatigue

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Understanding Ergonomic Risk

Improper posture when completing office and industrial tasks can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) including:

Damage, pain and sprains primarily to:

Lower back

Shoulders

Upper limbs

Wrists and fingers

Causing:

Extended pain

Disability

Medical Treatment

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Understanding Ergonomic Risk

If activities exceed our personal limits of stamina or strength (varies from person to person), two kinds of fatigue may occur.

Whole: Body fatigue occurs when several body parts are overexerted.

Localized: Effects the particular part of the body that is working (e.g. arms or hands).

Fatigue

Physical Exertions Either dynamic or static.

Dynamic exertion is where there is visible movement of the body.

Static exertion is where the body or part of the body is held in place.

Static exertion is often more tiring because the muscles do not have a chance to recover.

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Localized fatigue is best relieved by changing activities to rest working muscle groups or by resting the working limb.

Whole body fatigue is best reduced by decreasing the level of body activity or by resting the body.

Fatigue and Recovery

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The amount of force you exert and the length of time both effect how soon and how much fatigue will set in.

Over-exertion

Over-exertion can cause immediate injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments (e.g. sprains, strains and tears).

Cumulative Trauma injuries are “wear and tear” type and include damage to hands, wrists, shoulders, elbow and some back disorders.

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If you work in an activity that exceeds your strength or stamina, over-exertion and cumulative trauma injuries are possible.

Analyzing Tasks – Recognizing ProblemsErgonomic Analysis Methods

We need to know:

How much force is involved for each body posture?

How often is it repeated?

How long is it held?

How often is the total task repeated?

How long the task is worked?

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Analyzing Tasks – Recognizing ProblemsPosture - Constant Use of Hands and Fingers

Twisting or Bending of the Wrists – effects the median nerve passing through the carpal tunnel which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Repetitive Hand & Wrist Motions – effects the tendons passing through the carpal tunnel which can lead to tendinitis / tenosynovitis.

Vibration – effects the blood vessels in the fingers which can lead to Raynaud’s Phenomenon.

Pinch grips - can lead to contact stress and over-exertion of the hands.

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Analyzing Tasks – Recognizing Problems

Posture - Constant Use of Hands and FingersSince we use our hands and fingers to assemble things, we have to be concerned with the position of our hands, type of grip forces involved, vibration, pressure, temperature and number of repetitions.

A wrap or power grip is best.

Pinch forces over 7lbs can cause injury.

Hook and contact grasps expose the operator to the potential of contact stress with sharp or hard objects.

DO NOT strike objects with your hand or any body part.

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Analyzing Tasks – Recognizing ProblemsArms and Shoulders

Working with your arms above the shoulder or your elbows positioned at an angle > 25 degrees can compress and entrap shoulder nerves. It also causes fatigue to muscles.

The longer the reach, the greater effect of any weight involved. The more off center the reach, the greater effect of any weight involved.

14Inverted Drill Press

Analyzing Tasks – Recognizing ProblemsBending and Twisting The lower the reach, the greater effect of any weight involved.

The more off center the reach, the greater effect of any weight involved.

Analyzing Tasks – Recognizing ProblemsForce

Pushing vs. Pulling

Pushing is better than pulling! Lets you use larger muscles with

less strain on your back.

You are less likely to slip.

Pushing can be split into whole body or arms only.

Suggested standing force limits are 50 lbs. using 2 hands.

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Reducing the Risk

The Basics

Design each work station – follow a checklist.

Use ergonomically designed tools – follow a checklist.

Have work instructions for the operator to follow.

Do an analysis of the task.

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Reducing the Risk

Constant Use of Hands & Fingers: Rotate to jobs where hand use is lower.

Arms Extended & Unsupported: Alter the design of the work station to bring the work closer. Minimize work above shoulders and avoid work that requires elbow abduction (elbows up).

Bending & Twisting: Reposition the objects to the front of the worker at an appropriate height.

Using Significant Force: Reduce the weight of the load if possible, keep your body in neutral postures, use assisted lifts, reduce pinch forces, use power grips and minimize lift distance.

Static Body Posture: Alternate between standing and sitting. Rest one foot on a support while standing.

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Reducing the Risk

Vibration: Isolate your body from vibration source, rotate to non-vibrating job and use better designed tools.

Contact Stress: Cushion exposed body parts (e.g. gloves), pad hard or sharp objects, and round or smooth rough edges.

Heat / Cold: Limit exposure to temperature extremes, use heating / cooling systems and wear protective clothing.

Noise: Reduce exposure to high noise levels. Wear hearing protection, as needed.

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Lifting Think about your destination and make a clear path

before moving a load.

Balance yourself with your feet positioned shoulder width apart. Position one foot slightly ahead of the other.

Remember people often do more lifting in their work areas than they realize!

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Face the load and grip it with whole hands. Hold it close to the body at the waist.

Bend at the knees, NOT the back. Use your leg muscles and straighten your legs to lift.

Lifting

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Don’t jerk or twist when lifting.

Turn with your feet to avoid a back injury.

ASK for help or get mechanical assistance if the load is too heavy or large.

Lifting

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Awkward Positions Poor postures place unusual or excessive forces on body

parts. This can even include sitting or standing in the same position for a long time.

Awkward positions create unnecessary stress at the wrists, shoulders and neck, causing you to get tired faster.

Repetition Fatigue and strains build up when tasks involving motion are performed

repetitively for hours without a break. Change tasks during the day or take periodic breaks. It will provide muscles

and tendons with the time needed to “recover” to their normal state.Examples:

Reaching Twisting Bending Excessive typing

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In Front of a Computer Often?

You should be able to view your screen without tilting and turning your head.

Keep the mouse close enough where your elbow doesn’t have to reach out.

Place documents you are working off of on a holder between the keyboard and the screen (or nearby) to avoid stretching the neck too much.

Sit up with your back against the backrest and your feet flat on the floor (otherwise use a stool).

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Comfort & Fatigue Management

Reduce discomfort and fatigue by: Moving around or changing positions

Taking short breaks

Stretching

Self-help when sitting or standing: Face the work directly. Use good posture.

Avoid constant reaching or bending. Place frequently used material within close reach.

Avoid cradling the telephone with your head.

Re-focus on distant objects when feeling tired.

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Comfort & Fatigue Management

Standing / Industrial work: Have rubber or padded mats installed.

When standing, put one foot on a footrest to relieve back fatigue.

Wear gloves.

Install extra insoles and lifts in shoes.

Avoid kneeling. If kneeling is necessary, wear kneepads.

Sitting: Chairs should have adjustable seats, backrests and armrests.

Desks should have plenty of clearance above the knees.

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No Lost Cause! What you can do….

Being in shape by exercising regularly, eating healthy and maintaining a vigorous lifestyle affect how you feel at work.

Do what you can to change what is affecting you negatively at work.

Report concerns immediately.

Share ideas on improvement or equipment.

Report malfunctioning equipment.

Apply these simple techniques to everyday routines in AND out of work.

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Quiz1. True or False

It’s important to know about Industrial and Office ergonomics to reduce the possible cause of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s).

2. True or FalseWhen lifting, it’s good to bend at the knees and not the back.

3. True or FalseWhen at a computer, the further the mouse is away from the body, the better it is for the elbow.

4. When you believe there is an ergonomic issue you should do all except:A. Report issues whenever it’s convenient.B. Share ideas on improvement.C. Report malfunctioning equipment.D. Apply effective techniques outside of work.

5. What is NOT a good way to reduce comfort and fatigue on the job:A. Taking short breaksB. Taking a short napC. StretchingD. Moving around & changing positions

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Quiz6. True or False

When you are multitasking and your phone rings, cradle the telephone with your head.

7. True or FalseWhen feeling weary, it’s okay to relax eyes for a few seconds and refocus on distant objects.

8. When typing at a computer from another document, you should place it:A. Flat on the desk next to youB. On your lapC. On a holder between the keyboard or next to the screenD. Propped up on the keyboard in front of the screen

9. Yes or NoIs ergonomics designed for work environments to maximize efficiency alone?

10. True or FalseIf you’ve been working for 20 years, it won’t make a difference to change your posture and awkward routines on the job.

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Review1. True or False

It’s important to know about Industrial and Office ergonomics to reduce the possible cause of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s).

2. True or FalseWhen lifting, it’s good to bend at the knees and not the back.

3. True or FalseWhen at a computer, the further the mouse is away from the body, the better it is for the elbow.

4. When you believe there is an ergonomic issue you should do all except:A. Report issues whenever it’s convenient.B. Share ideas on improvement.C. Report malfunctioning equipment.D. Apply effective techniques outside of work.

5. What is NOT a good way to reduce comfort and fatigue on the job:A. Taking short breaksB. Taking a short napC. StretchingD. Moving around & changing positions

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Review6. True or False

When you are multitasking and your phone rings, cradle the telephone with your head.

7. True or FalseWhen feeling weary, it’s okay to relax eyes for a few seconds and refocus on distant objects.

8. When typing at a computer from another document, you should place it:A. Flat on the desk next to youB. On your lapC. On a holder between the keyboard or next to the screenD. Propped up on the keyboard in front of the screen

9. Yes or NoIs ergonomics designed for work environments to maximize efficiency alone?

10. True or FalseIf you’ve been working for 20 years, it won’t make a difference to change your posture and awkward routines on the job.

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