WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT AND ERGONOMICS

4.0 WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT AND ERGONOMICS The work environment contains a number

of aspects that can impact on the comfort and productivity of an employee.

These include physical aspects such as workstation setup and equipment, noise, temperature, lighting and access, as well as organisation aspects such as workload, job pace and task diversity. All of these aspects fall under the umbrella of ergonomic and occupational health and safety considerations.

4.1 Describe the history of ergonomics Ergonomics is about how people, based on

their physical capabilities, can best organise and conduct their activities.

The word ergonomics may best be explained as (the adaption of the environment to man). Ergonomists conduct research into work strain and working posture as well as work settings in organisation.

To summarise, ergonomics includes the knowledge of how work can be organised and conducted in an efficient and healthy way. 

4.1.1 State the history of ergonomics Ergonomics (also called human factors)

is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance (definition adopted by the International Ergonomic Associatio in 2000)

4.1.2 Statutory requirements related to ergonomics in OSHA 1994 Other definition : Designing the job to fit

the worker, instead of forcing the worker to fit the job.

Chad Cooper and Brian H. Kleiner : The study of equipment design in

order to reduce operator fatigue and discomfort.

Besides : a discipline or science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the worker

4.1.3 Objectives Of Ergonomics The major objective of ergonomisc :

Secure health , safety and comfort of person doing the work

Improve the comfort and utility of various equipment and facilities , such as Furniture and dwelling units

Achieve better work efficiency and effectiveness

4.2 Understand Workstation and design 4.2.1 Illustrate sitting work position 4.2.2 Illustrate standing work

position

4.2.1 Illustrate sitting work position The following are some ergonomic guidelines for

sitting work: The worker needs to be able to reach the entire

work area without stretching or twisting unnecessarily.

A good sitting position means that the individual is sitting straight in front of and close to the work.

The work table and the chair should be designed so that the work surface is approximately at the same level as the elbows.

The back should be straight and the shoulders relaxed.

if possible, there should be some form of adjustable support for the elbows, forearms or hands.

Sitting

4.2.2 Illustrated standing work station Follow these guidelines to ensure a

good body position for standing work: Face the work Keep the body close to the work Move the feet to face in a new direction

instead of twisting your back or shoulders.

Standing

4.3 Understand ergonomics risk Understanding basic ergonomic

principles is essential for prevention of these injuries.

Each employee needs to understand the ergonomic risk factors related to his or her work tasks and solutions to minimize such risks.

Following risk factors can lead to discomfort and injury:

There is six ergonomics risk factor:i. Repetitionii. Forceiii. Postureiv. Durationv. Vibrationvi. Contact stress

4.3.1 Explain Musculo-Skeletal-Disorders (MSD)

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is a group of medical conditions that consist of an injury to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, spinal discs, cartilage, blood vessels or related soft tissue that is caused or aggravated by physical tasks.

types of diseases (MSD):

tendom disease

neurovaskular disease

Nerve disease