Ergonomics inErgonomics in Computer workComputer work

stationsstations

Siyananthan.A

E/04/283

Department of

mechanical engineering

Software Software Development processDevelopment processv Project Management

v Business Modeling

v Requirements analysis

v System analyzing and Design

v Implementation

v Testing

v Environment

v Deployment

ErgonomicsErgonomicsWhat is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is a science concerned with the

“fit between people and their work. It take account of the worker's capabilities and limitations .

So Who are the people involve with software

Development process?

v System analyzer

v Software Engineer

v User Interface designer

v Project manager

v System user

These people spend lot of time with computer.

So Ergonomics involve how to handle computer

and other accessories.

Computer and Computer and accessoriesaccessoriesv Monitor

v Keyboard

v Mouse

v Documents

v Desk

v Chair

v Phone

v Lighting

MonitorMonitor

v Choosing the right location for your computer monitor on the desk or workspace can be a difficult decision. Yet if not positioned correctly, your monitor can cause neck pain, shoulder pain, or even eye strain.

v So determine the ideal ergonomic position for your monitor is very important.

Setup and PositionigSetup and Positionigv Center Your Monitor

v Sit Arms' Length Away

v Position the top of your screen level with your eyes.

v Tilt your monitor slightly upward.

v Beware of your windows

Setup and Setup and positioning……positioning……v Balance the brightness of your

monitor and its surroundings.

v Adjust your font size and color.

v Reduce glare.

v Consider a swivel arm.

Healthy monitor Healthy monitor usageusagev Follow the 20/20/20 Rule If you tend to work on your computer for

prolonged periods of time, be sure to take a 20 second break every 20 minutes and look at least 20 feet away. This gives yours eyes a break and chance to adjust focus-a great way to avoid visual fatigue.

v Keep a clean screen

KeyboardKeyboardv it's so important - even if you're

not currently feeling pain to position and use your keyboard properly to avoid future problems.

v once present, can be difficult or even impossible to reverse.

Setup and Setup and PositioningPositioningv If you don't currently use an adjustable

keyboard/mouse tray, consider attaching one to your surface.

v Make sure the height of your keyboard allows you to keep an "open angle" with your arms.

v If your keyboard is lower than the desk surface, tilt the back edge of the keyboard slightly down (known as "negative keyboard tilt").

Setup and Setup and positioning…..positioning…..v If you use a keyboard tray, make sure

there's enough room for your mouse.

v If you have a broad chest, consider a "split" keyboard.

Healthy keyboard Healthy keyboard usageusagev Use a light touch when typing (don't bang

on the keyboard!).

v Keep your wrists in a neutral (straight) position—not bent up or down.

v Keep sure your elbows at a slightly open angle-90˚ or greater.

v Keep your shoulders relaxed, and your elbows at your side.

v Don't use wrist rests or armrests while typing-only while resting.

v Stay centered on the lettered part of the keyboard.

v Consider using a voice recognition software program.

v Consider using keyboard shortcuts or macros to repeat common tasks.

Mouse setup and Mouse setup and positioningpositioningv Place your mouse close to your keyboard

and within easy reach.

v Consider a mouse tray to help keep your mouse near your keyboard.

v Adjust your mouse/trackball's software controls.

v Consider using a different input device to reduce repetitive arm motions.

v Make sure you're using the right size pointing device.

Mouse healthy usageMouse healthy usagev Use your elbow-not your wrist-to move

the mouse .

v Limit the amount you use your tracking device.

v Use keyboard shortcuts.

v If you surf the web or edit long documents, consider a mouse with a scroll wheel.

v Don't click too hard!.

v Make sure you're holding your mouse correctly.

v Try using your other hand to operate the mouse.

v If you use a trackball, consider placing padding or a rest under your elbow.

DocumentsDocuments v Do you work from or read paper

documents while using your computer? If you do, positioning them properly is an important way to avoid neck and shoulder pain.

v Your head and neck should not be twisted or bent while you are working .

Setup and positioningSetup and positioning

v Don't put the documents flat on your desk or work surface while working with them.

v Use a copyholder, or place the documents as close as possible to the computer screen - at about the same distance and level as your monitor.

v Make sure you have enough light to see your documents clearly.

DeskDeskv Your desk is a critical component of your

workstation.

v It supports tasks (writing), above-surface equipment (computer monitor, phone, etc.), and below-surface equipment (keyboard tray system or CPU holder).

v The height and layout of your work surface play an important role in your work posture and efficiency.

v A good ergonomic arrangement is one that will allow you to work most efficiently in a good posture.

Setup and positioningSetup and positioningv Using a fixed height desk?

v Using a fixed height work surface?

(it's probably between 28"-30" above the floor).

v Using an adjustable height work surface?.

v Positioning your Desk.

(Try to arrange the desk so that you have space on either side of it and easy access to the rear for cables to connect your computer.)

Healthy desk usageHealthy desk usage

v First

(when you are sitting comfortably, pull up to the edge of your work surface and look straight ahead.)

v Next

(reach each arm out to the side of your body and move them from this position until the hands meet at the center of your body in front of you.)

v Then

(relax your upper arms down to the side of your body)

Chair setup and Chair setup and positioningpositioningv Experts agree that your chair is perhaps the

single most important component of a healthy working environment.

v You should be able to sit comfortably in the chair, using as much of the chair back as possible for support.

v The lumbar support should fit comfortably into the curve of your lower back, and your feet should be flat on the ground (use a footrest if necessary).

v The seat pan (i.e. the part on which you sit) should be an appropriate size that allows at least one inch between your legs and either side of the chair, and supports your legs without applying pressure to the back of your knees.

Chair setupChair setupv Adjustable Chair:

1. Adjust the Chair Height

2. Sit Back in the Chair

3. Adjust the Recline 4. Adjust the Seat Pan 5. Adjust the Armrest

6. Clear Obstacles

v Non Adjustable Chair;

( the following have to be considered)

1. If you sit low

2. If you sit too high

3. If your seat pan is too deep

Healthy chair setupHealthy chair setupv Keep open angles.

v Keep thighs parallel with the floor.

v Recline slightly.

v Avoid pressure points.

v Rest your feet flat on the floor.

v Move Around.

Phone setup and Phone setup and positioningpositioningv Most people are surprised to learn that

misusing the telephone can lead to shoulder and neck pain.

v Use a phone with the right set of features.

v Learn proper phone position.

v Consider using a headset.

v Consider using a speakerphone.

Lighting Lighting

v A crucial component to setting up your workstation is your lighting, which can be associated with vision problems (eyestrain, dry eyes, itchy/irritated eyes), health problems, and reduced work performance. Computer work can be particularly visually demanding.

Lighting setup Lighting setup v The ambient lighting you use should be

low or glare free.

v The task lighting you choose can be used to provide supplemental light for paper documents.

v Your light level should be appropriate for your tasks .

v Use blinds or drapes to control the light from windows.

v Fluorescent lighting is preferable to other types of office lighting.

v All of the lamps in your light fixtures should have the same color temperature.

v The lamps in your light fixtures should compliment your home office colors.

v Optimize the color of your room.

Healthy light setup Healthy light setup v Inadequate lighting levels.

v Direct glare from light fixtures .

v Reflected glare on computer screens.

v Veiling glare.

v Harsh lighting and shadows.

Causes of DiscomfortCauses of Discomfortv Head

v Eyes

v Neck

v Shoulders

v hands

HeadHeadv Your monitor is too low.

v Glare or reflection on your screen is causing eyestrain.

v Your monitor is too close.

v There's inadequate lighting or too much lighting .

v You've been working too long without resting your eyes.

v Your font size is too small.

v There's poor contrast on your screen, or the refresh rate is too low.

EyesEyesv You're sitting too close to your monitor.

v You've been working too long without resting your eyes.

v You're not blinking often enough .

v You wear glasses or contacts, and the prescription is out of date.

v There's inadequate lighting or possibly too much lighting.

v There's poor contrast on your screen, or the refresh rate is too low .

Neck Neck v You're cradling the telephone between

your head and your shoulder.

v The documents you're working from are too low (or too far to the side).

v Your monitor's not at the right height, or is too far to the side

v Your chair is too far away from your keyboard (or the back of the chair is tilted too far back).

v You wear bifocals, and are tilting your head too far back.

v You're leaning forward to view the screen .

ShouldersShouldersv Your mouse is too high, to the side, or too

far away.

v Your keyboard is too low/high/far away .

v You're not maintaining good posture.

v You're reaching too far to pick up or dial your phone .

v You're leaning forward to view the screen.

Hands Hands v You're typing or keying too long without a

break.

v You're gripping your pencil or pointing device too tightly.

v There's pressure on your wrist or palms.

v You're operating a trackball with only your thumb.

v You're extensively clicking your mouse .

v You're typing extensively at a 10-key pad or calculator .