Office Ergonomics 2

8/3/2019 Office Ergonomics 2

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COMPUTER ERGONOMICS


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COURSE OBJECTIVES

Understand the definition of ergonomics

Understand Primary Causes of Cumulative

Trauma Disorders (CTDs).

Understand ways to prevent CTDs

Learn about PC workstation accessories to

reduce computer work stress

Basic exercises to reduce / relieve ergo-

stress.


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DEFINITION

ERGONOMICSis a way to worksmarter--not harder by designing of

tools, equipment, work stations and

tasks to fit the job to the worker--NOTthe worker to the job:

Layout / type of controls & displays

Lighting & Temperature

Process (Heights, reaches, weights)


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WHY WORRY ?

Work Related MusculoskeletalDisorders (WMSDs)are fastest-

growing injury/illness category

(accounting for over 1.8 million annual

lost workday cases in 1997 BLS stats).

Up 600% over last 11 years

$13 to 20 billion total injury cost / year

& average $29 K / case compensation

claim cost

More lost workdays for RSIs (ave. =

30 days for a Carpal Tunnel injury)


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MSD INJURY DATA 600,000 MSDs require time off from

work.

Women suffer more ergonomic injuries

due: to having jobs requiring more heavy

lifting, repetitive tasks and awkward

postures

70% of Carpal Tunnel

62% of Tendonitis


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CAR COST IS (PARTIALLY)--A PAIN

IN THE BACK !! According to Dr. E.W. Simmons,

president of the American Back

Society, medical costs related toback injury can add up to $1,800 to

the price of every car made in Detroit

!!


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CTD INJURY FACTORS

Lesions to tendons of theneck, back, shoulders,

arms, wrists or hands

Primary causes:

Repetitive movements

over long periods of

timeAwkward postures

Use of excessive forces


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CTD RISK CONTROL: POSTURE

NEUTRAL &COMFORTABLE:

Wrists straight

Shoulders relaxed withelbows close to body

head / shoulders & back

in vertical alignment

Frequent breaks when

bent postures cant be

avoided


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ERGONOMIC ALIGNMENT


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CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Occurs with repetitive motion of hands &wrists--especially with high force levels.

Incidence up to 15% in certain industries.

A natural keyboard and good wrist supportcan help most PC users avoid problems

GOOD NEWS: Have dropped about 30%

since 1990--which most attribute to strongworkplace ergonomics programs


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CTD RISK CONTROL:

REPETITION Use automatic tools for repetitive tasks

(screw and bolt tightening)

Eliminate unnecessary tasks / movementsby redesigning maintenance procedures and

workstations

Take short, frequent breaks

Alternate tasks and processes to use

different muscle groups


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ERGONOMICS SUMMARY

Good ergonomic design of tools, processesand furniture DOES improve personnel

comfort, health, morale, productivity and

readiness. Individual effort as part of a workshop team

is the greatest means of identifying /

improving workplace ergonomic issues. Its critical to seek prompt medical aid for

symptoms of ergonomic stress / CTDs


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Computer Ergonomics Routine PC user defined as spending 20 hours or

more per week working at a computer.

Studies of PC users have not shown a risk of eye

damage...although fatigue very possible.

NIOSHstudies have not indicated a radiation

hazard nor pregnancy risk from PC usage.

Workers using bi/tri-focal glasses before

beginning PC use may need special purpose

glasses for computer work.


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NATURAL KEYBOARDS Three types: Fixed split, Adjustable split & Sculptured

Awkward wrist postures minimized with 15 to 25

horizontal degree key split AND 8 to 66 degree vertical

incline.

Key Layout Design Changes Have: increased comfort (81% of users)

improved postures

reduced muscle activitylowered carpal tunnel pressure in lab settings

Obtained primarily to alleviate an injury


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WRIST RESTS

No medical evidence that they reduce RSI injuries...As

they work for some, but not for others

Usage Guidelines:

Buy rest that is even with top of keyboard

Material should be medium-soft (foam--gel mix) so foamdoesnt break down. AVOID hard plastic types

DONT leave wrists on rest...which compresses carpal

tunnel. Palm rest instead.

Changing typing habits more critical than wrist support MOST APPROPRIATELY USED TO REST HANDS

DURING PAUSE IN TYPING

LEARN TO TYPE CORRECTLY WITH

FLOATING WRISTS FIRST!!!


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Ergonomic chairs

Adjustable back height

Adjustable arm rests

Required by OPNAV5100 Safety Instruction

**Chair on left NOT

ergonomically designed


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Alternative Pointing Devices

Track-balls Scrolling Mouse


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Other Ergonomic PC Accessories

Height-adjustable articulating keyboard tray

**Basic unit available at NEX Sight & Sound for

$19.99 !


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PC Station Design


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PC Station Design


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MODEL COMPUTER WORKSTATION

--Keyboard trays WITH wrist support.

--Split "Natural" keyboards tofacilitate neutral wrist angle

--Fully adjustable ergonomic chair

--Document holder to minimize head /eye & neck movements

--Corner desk units to positionmonitor directly in front of employee

--Foot rest where requested.

--Re-organization of workingmaterials within employee arm reach.

--Alternative pointing devices (e.g.,scrolling mouse or trackball devices

Documents

Office Ergonomics 2