Ergonomics 2

7/28/2019 Ergonomics 2

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Ergonomics


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What Is Ergonomics?

Ergo = work (Greek)

Nomos = Laws (Greek)

The study of work; laws of work design;OSHA is concerned with the study of the

conditions that result in serious injury and the

alternatives that minimize risk of injury.


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How Ergonomics Can Help

Fewer injuries

Increased productivity

Increased efficiency Improved quality of work

Reduced absenteeism

Lower turnover


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What ShouldErgonomics Address?

Workplace design

Task design

Equipment design


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Principles of Ergonomics

Avoid static loads and fixed postures

Provide support for limbs

Avoid high forces and lifting Avoid highly repetitive tasks

Accommodate a variety of sizes and people

Design for the extremesDesign for the average

Design with adjustability


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Philosophy of Ergonomics

Fit the task to the person

Quality of working life

Productivity Safe and hygienic work

Minimize physiological

and psychological stresses


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Risk Factors

Position/posture

Repetition/frequency

Force/exertion

Weight/load

Static loading/holding

Duration

Tools

Environment

Opinion


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Occupations with HighIncidence of Cumulative

Trauma Disorder Assembly work

Buffing

Core making

Electronic assembly

Fabric cutting and sewing

Textile workers

Upholstering


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Occupations (cont.)

Data processing

Inspecting

Meat processing

Metal fabricating

Musician

Packaging Postal workers

Tire and rubber workers


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Symptoms ofCarpal Tunnel Syndrome

Pain in the wrist

Tingling in thewrist, hands,

and fingers Numbness in the

hand and fingers

Clumsiness inhandling items

Atrophy in thewrist area


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Red Flags forCarpal Tunnel Syndrome

Individuals who:

Have fluttering fingers

Shake their hands during work

Hold the sides of their wrist

Perform deep rubbing of their arms

Cradle their arm


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Upper LimbCumulative Trauma Disorders

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Bursitis

Tendonitis


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Office Ergonomics Concerns

Video display terminals (VDTs)

Filing

Telephone use

Noise


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Seating Design

One chair does not fit all

Incorrect height leads to fatigue

and circulatory problems

Seat depth should be 15-17 inches

Seat should be firmly padded with

rounded front edge


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Backrest Design

Should be adjustable with lower back support

User should lean against the backrest

Should tilt to positions in back and front of the

vertical position


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Armrest Design

Armrests should be provided when users arms

are unsupported for long periods of time

Adequately rounded and padded

Should not interfere with the keyboard

support surface


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Keyboard and Monitor Support

Strain on hands, arms, and wrists = CTDs

Keyboard surfaces should be height (23"-28")and angle (0-15 degrees) adjustable

Area should be provided for periodic supportof limbs

Monitor support should be adjustable (center

line of monitor 37"-43") Monitor support should allow for forward,

back, and angle adjustments


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Keyboard and Monitor(cont.)

Ample wrist rest areas should be provided

Table surfaces should be matte (nonreflective)

Ample leg and knee clearance is necessary

Rounded corners on work surfaces

Work surface available for reference materials

Document holders close to screen and at

same height


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Keyboard

Should be detached from monitor so that itcan be adjusted independently

Key surfaces should be concave for positioning

of the fingers

Visible surface should have a matte finish


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Mouse

Position to minimize extended reaching

Surface area needed to support the arm


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Video Display Vision

Glare causes discomfort, fatigue, and eyestrain

Use indirect or filtered lighting where possible

Avoid intense or uneven lighting

Position display surfaces 90 degrees to windows

Drape windows with curtains or blinds

Control shiny or reflective surfaces


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Video Display Vision (cont.)

Adjust the display brightness and contrast

Use antireflection or antiglare filters

Keep display screen clean

Avoid flicker in display


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Additional ErgonomicStressors in the Workplace

Noise

Lighting

Indoor air quality

Heat/cold

Humidity


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Quiz

1. The most significant ergonomic concernin the office environment is the videodisplay terminal. True or False

2. Monitors should be positioned at ______

degrees from a window.3. Ergonomics should not address equipment

design. True or False

4. The science of ergonomics is designed tofit the task to the ____________.

5. Additional ergonomic stressors includeconcerns such as lighting, heat, andhumidity. True or False


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6. Two typical symptoms associated with carpaltunnel syndrome are ___________and ____________.

7. Ergonomics comes from the Greek languageand means the laws of repetitive motions. True or False

8. Three common risk factors associated with cumulativetrauma disorders are _______, _______, and _______.

9. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a cumulative

trauma disorder associated with the shoulder.True or False10.When document holders are used with a monitor,

they should be positioned six inches abovethe monitor display. True or False

Quiz


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Quiz Answers

1. True. The most significant risk in the office is the videodisplay terminal.

2. Monitors should be positioned at 90 degrees from awindow.

3. False. Ergonomics should address equipment design.

4. The science of ergonomics is designed to fit the taskto the person.

5. True. Additional ergonomic stressors include concernssuch as lighting, heat, and humidity.

6. Typical symptoms associated with cumulative traumadisorders are pain in the wrist; tingling in the wrist, hands,

and fingers; numbness in the hand and fingers;


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Quiz Answers (cont.)

7. False. Ergonomics comes from the Greek language andmeans the laws of work.

8. Common risk factors associated with cumulative traumadisorders are position/posture, repetition/frequency,force/exertion, weight/load, static loading/holding, andduration.

9. True. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a cumulative traumadisorder associated with the shoulder.

10. False. When document holders are used with a monitor,they should be positioned even with the display.

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Ergonomics 2