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ERGONOMICSERGONOMICS

ERGONOMICS –ERGONOMICS – Where did that word Where did that word

come from?come from?

er go nom ics (Urg-go-’nam-iks)Derived from the Greek word “ergos” meaning

“work” and “Nomos” meaning “natural laws of” or “study of.”

What is ergonomics?What is ergonomics?

Is the science of work. Removes barriers to quality, productivity and human performance by fitting products, tasks and environments to people.

The origins of ergonomicsThe origins of ergonomics

Ergonomics is a relatively new branch of science which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999, but relies on

research carried out in many other more established scientific areas such as

engineering, physiology and psychology.

It originated in WWII, when scientists designed new and potentially improved systems without fully considering the people who would be using them.

It gradually became clear that systems and products would have to be designed to take account of many human and environmental factors if they are to be used safely and effectively.

This awareness of people's requirements resulted in the discipline of ergonomics.

Definitions of ErgonomicsDefinitions of Ergonomics

The application of science information concerning humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for human use.

Deals with the interaction of technological and work situations with the human being.

The Job Must Fit the PersonThe Job Must Fit the Person

The work station should

not compromise

human capabilities

and limitations

Three Components Three Components of Ergonomics of Ergonomics

1. Anatomy

2. Physiology

3. Psychology

AnatomyAnatomy The contribution of basic

anatomy lies in improving physical “fit” between people and the things they use, ranging from hand tools to aircraft cockpit design.

Achieving good physical fit is no mean feat when one considers the range in human body sizes across the population.

PhysiologyPhysiology

Work physiology addresses the energy requirements of the body and set standards for acceptable physical work-rate, work-load and for nutrition requirements.

Environmental physiology analyzes the impact of physical working conditions (thermal, noise & vibration and lighting) and sets the optimum requirements for these.

PsychologyPsychologyPsychology is concerned with human

information processing and decision making capabilities.

In simple terms, this can be seen as aiding the cognitive “fit” between people and the things they use.

Using ErgonomicsUsing Ergonomics

Size and Shape

VisionSoundJob DesignHuman Error

Size and ShapeSize and Shape Researchers compared the

relative positions of the controls on a lathe with the size of an average male worker. It was found that the lathe operator would have to stoop and move from side to side to operate the lathe controls. An ‘ideal’ sized person to fit the lathe would be just 4.5 feet tall, 2 feet across the shoulders and have an arm span of 8 feet.

This example epitomizes the shortcomings in design when no account has been taken of the user.

People come in all shapes and sizes, and the ergonomist takes this variability into account when influencing the design process.

VisionVisionVision is usually

the primary channel of information, yet systems are often so poorly designed that the user is unable to see the work area clearly.

Many workers using computers cannot see their screens because of glare or reflections.

Others, doing precise assembly tasks, have insufficient lighting and suffer eyestrain and reduced output as a result.

SoundSound A recent airliner had 16

different audio warnings, far too many for a pilot to deal with in an emergency situation. A more sensible approach was to have just a few audio signals to alert the pilot to get information guidance from a visual display.

Sound can be a useful way to provide information, especially for warning signs.

However, care must be taken not to overload this sensory channel.

Job DesignJob Design

One goal of ergonomics is to design jobs to fit people.

This means taking account of differences such as size, strength and ability to handle information for wide range of users. Then the tasks, the workplace and tools are designed around these differences.

The benefits are improved efficiency, quality and job satisfaction.

Human ErrorHuman Error Ergonomists pay

particular attention to the mental demands on the operators, designing tasks and equipment to minimize the chance of misreading information or operating the wrong controls, for example.

When a disaster occurs, the blame is often laid with the operators, pilots or drivers concerned – and labeled “human error”

What is the purpose of What is the purpose of ergonomics in the ergonomics in the

workplace?workplace?

Basically, to make the workplace safer,

more comfortable and more

productive.

The following points are among the purpose/goals of ergonomics:

• Occupational injury and illness reduction• Workers’ compensation costs contained• Productivity improvement• Work quality improvement• Absenteeism reduction• Government regulation compliance

The methods by which these The methods by which these goals are obtained:goals are obtained:

Evaluation of work site risk factorsNotification of existing work site risk

conditionsRecommendation to reduce the identified

risk conditionsEducation of management and workers to

risk conditions.

Workplace DescriptionWorkplace Description

The workplace setting is characterized by an interaction between the following parameters:

A worker A physical workspace An environmental

climate

Work Risk FactorsWork Risk FactorsCertain characteristics of the work setting

have been associated with injury.

Two Types:

1. Task Physical Characteristics

2. Environmental Characteristics

Task PhysicalTask Physical Avoid:• Bad Posture• Force• Quick Acceleration• Excessive Repetition• Heavy Dynamic Exertion

Allow:• Recovery Time

EnvironmentalEnvironmental

Avoid:Heat StressCold StressWhole Body VibrationBad LightingLoud Noise

Other Workplace RisksOther Workplace RisksJob StressWork OrganizationWorkloadWorking Hours (overtime)Displays and Control PanelsSlip and Falls

12 Tips for an 12 Tips for an Ergonomic Ergonomic Computer Computer

WorkstationWorkstation

Tip # 1Tip # 1Use a good chair and sit back

How to choose an How to choose an ergonomicergonomic chair chair

1. Does the seat pan feel comfortable and fit your shape?

When you sit in the chair the seat pan should be contoured to allow even weight distribution and be at least one inch wider than your hips and thigh on either side. It should not be too long for your legs otherwise it will either catch you behind the knees or it will prevent you from leaning fully back against the lumbar support.

2. Is the range of height adjustment of the chair sufficient to meet the needs of all users?

You should be able to adjust the height of the seat pan so that the front of your knees is level or slightly below level and your feet are firmly on the ground. In most cases there should be no need for you to use a footrest.

3. Does the chair have comfortable lumbar (lower back) back rest?

Many chairs have cushioned lumbar supports that can be adjusted up and down and forwards and backwards to best fit your shape. If the chair will be used by multiple users than this level of adjustment may be required.

Tip #2Tip #2Top of monitor 2-3”

(5-8 cm) above eyes

Tip #3Tip #3

No glare on screen

Tip # 4Tip # 4Sit at arms length

Tip #5Tip #5

Feet on floor or footrest

Tip #6Tip #6Use a document holder

Tip #7Tip #7

Wrists flat and straight

Tip #8Tip #8Arms and elbows close to body

Tip #9Tip #9

Center monitor and keyboard in front of you

Tip #10Tip #10Use a negative tilt keyboard tray

Ideal typing posture:Negative slope keyboard support

You should have your keyboard below your seated elbow height. The keyboard base should be gently sloped away from you so that the key tops are accessible to your hands in a neutral posture.

In this position your arms, shoulders, neck and back can relax. (Your low back should rest against the lumbar support of the chair, your elbow angle is then open to promote circulation to the lower arm and hand.)

Tip #11Tip #11Use a stable work surface

Tip #12Tip #12Take frequent short breaks

ChecklistChecklist

PostureWorkstation and Environment Design Features The WorkerPsycho-Social Issues

Cuergo: Computer workstation Ergonomic Checklist

Please get your pencil and

checklist score sheet now. You will be answering 45 “yes or no” questions

about your workstation and ergonomics. Every question needs to have an answer. Please

answer to the best of your knowledge. You should have adequate time to answer the

questions before the screen automatically moves on to the next set of questions.

Using ChecklistUsing Checklist When answering the questions, think as whether or not

you can merely achieve these general goals, but whether the design of the workstation, task and environment interfere with, obstruct or outright inhibit you from achieving them.

Remember if more than one person uses your workstation, the checklist must be applied to each individual at each workstation.

“No” responses indicate conditions that may be associated with higher risk of illness/injury and steps should be taken to address the source of the problem.

“Yes” responses to indicate acceptable ergonomic design conditions.

PosturePosture

Lower Extremities

1. Are you able to rest your feet comfortably?

2. Are you able to sit with your knees in a comfortable position?

3. Are you free of uncomfortable pressure points, obstructions or interference in the lower extremities?

Upper Extremities4. Are you able to work with your head in a vertical

orientation, such so your neck is not stressed by holding your head off balance from the neck and shoulders?

5. Are you able to work with your head facing forward of the plane of your upper body the majority of the time, such that repetitive or long duration head rotation is minimized?

6. Are you able to reach to objects on your workstation without extending reaching, especially where the reaching is held for long durations, is repetitive or requires trunk/torso deviations?

Upper Extremities

7. Are you able to work with comfortable arm positions or approximately:– A. Neutral shoulder positions (upper arms

tucked close to the body and hanging relaxed.)– B. Comfortable elbow positions that do not

force shoulder or elbow positions from neutral?– C. Neutral wrist positions (hands in straight

line with lower arms, hands not flexed down towards the palm not extended up, nor bent towards the little finger, not bent towards the thumb)?

Forced Static Body Posture

8. Does your workstation design and your job requirements cause non neutral body positions to be held constant for

extended periods of time?

Workstation and Environment Workstation and Environment Design FeaturesDesign Features

Seat Surface9. Is your seat surface height adjustable?10. Is your seat surface of appropriate size

for you?11. Is your seat slope adjustable to achieve

comfortable angle?12. Is it comfortable and is the front well

rounded so that it does not place pressure on the underside of your leg?

13. Overall is the seat comfortable to you?

Work Surface

14. With your lower limbs in a comfortable position and your feet on the floor, can you achieve a comfortable workstation surface height?

15. Is the width of your workstation appropriate (meaning can you do all your tasks within comfortable reach and viewing distance)?

16. Is the depth of the work surface enough so that the computer and keyboard can be placed directly in front of you?

17. Is the area under your desk large enough to accommodate your legs?

Computer Monitor

18. Are you able to easily adjust the height of your monitor?

19. Are you able to easily adjust the tilt angle of your monitor?

20. Are you able to adjust the yaw (left/right rotation) of your computer?

Keyboard21. Are you able to easily adjust the keyboard

height?22. Have you correctly adjusted the angle of the

keyboard so that your hands/wrists are in a neutral posture when you are typing?

Mouse23. Is the shape and button activation

comfortable and easy for you to operate?24. Are you able to reach and operate the

mouse without extended, long duration or repetitive reaching and with your

shoulders, arms and wrists in a neutral posture?

Document Holder for Data Entry Tasks25. Do you have a special holder or support

for the source document?26. Are you able to easily adjust the

document holder height, distance and angle?

Support for the Hands and Arms27. Are your armrests adjustable?28. Is a flat keyboard palm support

available to you?29. Is a palm support for the mouse

available to you?

Support for the Feet30. Are your feet flat on the floor when you

are sitting comfortably at your workstation?

Office Lighting31. Is your monitor screen placed such that

light from the windows and overhead lighting do not cause glare?

32. Do windows have curtains, drapes or blinds to block light where glare from that source is a problem?

Temperature

33. Are you comfortable with the temperature at your workstation?

Vibration

34. Do you experience any uncomfortable building or equipment vibration?

35. Do you experience any uncomfortable keyboard vibration (wobble from unstable keyboard tray)?

Noise36. Are sound levels at comfortable levels

allowing for you to converse without significant effort?

37. Do you experience any uncomfortable equipment noise?

Ventilation38. Is air circulation sufficient?

Electrostatic Electricity39. Do you frequently experience static

electricity shocks?

The WorkerThe Worker

Fatigue Control40. Are you able to take rest pauses or

breaks from tasks that require long duration or repetitive postures, forces, keying or mouse activities?

41. Does your job require you to a variety of activities where your posture changes?

Vision

42. Do you wear bifocal glasses, causing you to tilt your head to see through the appropriate lens area?

Psycho-Social Issues

43. Do you have some involvement and control over the work process?

44. Is there good communication between you and your supervisor?

45. Do you feel you have been adequately trained?

““The Benefits of The Benefits of Recreation Are Endless…”Recreation Are Endless…”

One of the greatest benefits we all have working in recreation is that our job tasks vary. This variation allows us to give our bodies a break from repetitive tasks.

Although this is true, we should not ignore the ergonomic principles we have learned while working at our workstations.

Finished ChecklistFinished Checklist

Thank you for your time to complete the ergonomic checklist of your workstation. We hope you learned something new about ergonomics and can bring that knowledge into all aspects of your life, not just work! If you have a computer at home – make sure you are providing yourself the proper space, equipment and environment!

Please turn your completed checklist to your supervisor.

The EndThe End