EVOLUTION??

ERGONOMICS

Fitting YOUR work station to YOU!

What is ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the science of fitting a job, job tasks, and job-related equipment to individual human physical and psychological characteristics .

One of the focuses is on designing workstations, tools, lighting, and work tasks for safety, efficiency and comfort.

Why do I care?

Effective ergonomic design reduces discomfort and injuries and increases job satisfaction and productivity.

Prevention/reduction of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s).

How do I know if my work-station fits me?

Listen to your body Minor Moderate Severe

Description of the pain

Doesn’t affect ability to do any activities. Pain is minor while performing an activity, no pain present after completing activity.

Pain persistent enough to alter one’s behavior and performance. Residual pain after completing activity.

Unable to do normal activities due to pain. Pain persistent during and after activity.

What actions should you take

Follow guidelines to adjust workspace. Seek ergonomic consultation if pain persists after modifications are made.

Same as minor. Consider consult with health-care practitioner regarding symptoms.

Seek medical treatment.

How do I know if my work-station fits me?

If you experience recurrent or worsening discomfort, especially if the discomfort includes non-remitting pain, numbness, or weakness, promptly consult a qualified physician.

The earlier a problem is identified, diagnosed, and treated, the less chance there is that it will progress to a disabling condition

General Desktop Set-Up Standard furniture cannot accommodate everyone’s

needs Make sure surface is stable Consider job functions Keep frequently used objects close Keep area under desk uncluttered Use a document holder

Setting up your computer work station—The Chair

Push your hips as far back as they can go in the chair

Adjust the seat height

Adjust the backrest of the chair

Adjust the armrests Use lumbar support

Setting up your computer work station—The Keyboard

An articulating keyboard tray can provide optimal positioning of input devices

It should accommodate the mouse, provide leg clearance, and have an adjustable height and tilt mechanism.

Tray should not push you too far away from other work materials such as your telephone.

Setting up your computer work station—The Keyboard

Pull up close to your keyboard.

Adjust the keyboard height Position the keyboard

directly in front of your body

The tilt of your keyboard is dependent upon your sitting position

Keep wrists in line with forearms

Wrist rests can help to maintain neutral postures and pad hard surfaces

Place the pointer as close as possible to the keyboard.

Keyboard Horizontal Alignment

Setting up your computer work station—the pointing device

Setting up your computer work station—monitor and phone

Center the monitor directly in front of you When seated comfortably, user’s eyes

should be 2-3” below top of monitor casing

Horizontal distance at approx arms length Reduce glare by careful positioning of the

screen Position source documents directly in

front of you, between the monitor and the keyboard

Place your telephone within easy reach Use headsets and speaker phone

AFTER ALL THAT, WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT

CHANGE YOU CAN MAKE?

YOUR BEHAVIOR!!!

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Remember MSD’s?

MSD’s are disorders of the bones and soft tissue

Frequently associated with heavy lifting, prolonged sitting or standing, repetitive work, sustained postures, non-neutral joint posture, localized pressure, use of force, cold temperature, and vibration

Keeping all that in mind…

Break up repetitious work Relax Use moderate postures for individual

joints Minimize contact with hard or sharp

surfaces Don't use too much force Move with an even motion Keep your hands and fingers warm Break up exposures to vibration

And another thing…

Outside risk factors Non-work activities Predispositions Modifiable risk factors

The End!!!

Prevention of MSD’s in the office workspace is a combination of equipment and behavior changes.

Requires participation in both of these to make lasting change.