Safety & Environmental Management

Video Display Terminal (VDT) TrainingVideo Display Terminal (VDT) Training

MTM055Dec 27, 04

Understanding Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI)

Understanding Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI)

• MSI = injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels, or related soft tissue, including sprains, strains, or inflammation that may be caused or aggravated by work.

MSI Risk Factors

• Forceful ExertionForceful Exertion• Physical effort that places a high load on the

muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints

• Repetitive MotionRepetitive Motion• Tasks that use the same muscle groups repeatedly

• Awkward PosturesAwkward Postures• Working out of the “neutral” body position

• Static PosturesStatic Postures• Body positions held without movement for more

than 20 seconds

• Contact StressContact Stress• When body parts come into contact with hard or

sharp objects

Workstation Setup

Eyestrain

Lower back pain

Neck pain

Shoulder pain

Elbow pain

Wrist pain

Poor positioning can contribute to :

Cramped fingers

Listen to your body

Cramping or

spasm

Tingling, pins and needles

or numbness

Heat or Burning

Tenderness

Pain

Symptoms of MSISymptoms of MSISymptoms of MSISymptoms of MSI

• Maine law states that if you work on a VDT for more than 4 hours a day, your employer must:• train you to use your VDT and to avoid or

minimize conditions that may arise from long or improper use

• train you on the importance of proper posture when you use a VDT and how to adjust your workstation to achieve proper posture.

• train you within the first month of your being hired and annually thereafter

Workstation Setup

Body Position

Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor

Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90 and 120 degrees.

Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally at the side of the body.

Head is level, or bent slightly forward, forward facing, and balanced.

Body Position

Feet are fully supported by floor or footrest.

Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward.

Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar support when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly

Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the floor

Monitors

• Monitors should be placed directly in front (but not more than 35°) to the left or right

• The screen should be at least 20” away from your eyes and at right angles to window(s) to avoid glare

• The best distance is as far away as possible while still being able to read it clearly.

Monitors

• Keep the top line of the screen at eye level or slightly below to avoid neck strain

• Use document holders

Keyboard and Mouse• Your wrists should be supported and in-line with your

forearms• Keep the mouse close to the keyboard• Wrist rests

• Are only used to support the palms in between keying movements

• Should be fairly soft and should not be any higher than the front edge of your keyboard

• Should encourage neutral wrist posture Your wrists should not be deviated while typing

Chairs

• Seat height should be adjustable to allow your feet to rest flat on the floor (preferred) or on a footrest

• Backrest should provide lower back support

• Armrest should be adjusted so they support your lower arm and allow your upper arm to remain close to the torso

• Try out a chair – available at Central Supply/Purchasing

Workstation

• All other equipment (mouse, telephone, copy holder, etc.) should be positioned to prevent strain and discomfort from excessive reaching, bending and turning.

Telephones can be a Pain in the Neck

• Location / awkward reach• Phone neck - gripping the

telephone between shoulder and head

• Posture – leaning forward away from the back of the chair while taking a call

• Cell phones – awkward posture, finger and thumb strain from excessive text keying

Laptops... So What’s Wrong with Them?

• Portability vs. ergonomics• Screens smaller• Screen not independent of the

keyboard• Smaller keyboard, smaller keys• Different key spacing and travel• Mouse is awkward• Uncomfortable neck or wrist

position• Furniture in hotel rooms, other

offices, or home sometimes inadequate for laptop use

• Difficult to transport

Laptop Posture

• Sometimes a tradeoff between neck/head posture and hand/wrist posture

• Occasional User• Position laptop in your lap for the

most neutral wrist posture• Angle the screen so that you can

see it with the “least” amount of neck deviation

Laptop Posture

• Full Time User• Position the laptop so that you can

see the screen without bending the neck

• Use a separate keyboard and mouse• Use the keyboard in a negative tilt

to ensure a neutral wrist posture

Laptops... Suggestions

• Use external devices• Keyboard and mouse

• Use commercially available laptop holders or laptop supports

Mobile Work Layout

Mobile Work Layout

• Hotel/Conference Room/Café/etc.• Use a pillow, pad, folded towels, or a

blanket to raise your seat height• Support your back (lumbar region)

using a rolled up towel, clothing, pillow, etc.

• Try using a chair without armrests to give you more room to move your arms

• Using your lap is an option – look down at the screen by tucking your chin instead of bending your entire neck down

Breaks

• Operator should take regular breaks• Vision and stretch breaks after 1

hour’s use of a desktop• Vision and stretch breaks after 1/2

hour’s use of a laptop• Micro breaks (30 seconds, every 10

minutes)

• Breaks can consist of performing other work tasks.

What Can You Take Away From This Training?

• Prevention is the most important strategy

• Don’t wait to feel pain to start changing your habits

• Listen to your body• You DON’T have to be in pain to get

your job done• There are numerous ergonomic

solutions to help keep you pain free• We’re always here to help

Thank You

Don’t forget to document your training.

A certificate of training is available on the VDT Training web page at:

http://www2.umaine.edu/SEM/vdtcertificate.htm