ERGONOMICS:ERGONOMICS:COMPUTER SAFETYCOMPUTER SAFETY

BACK SAFETYBACK SAFETY

What is Ergonomics?What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics is the application of Ergonomics is the application of scientific information concerning scientific information concerning humans to the design of objects, humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for systems and environment for human use. Ergonomics comes human use. Ergonomics comes into everything which involves into everything which involves people. Work systems, sports and people. Work systems, sports and leisure, health and safety should leisure, health and safety should all embody ergonomics principles if all embody ergonomics principles if well designed. well designed.

How Do You Use Ergonomics?How Do You Use Ergonomics? Using Ergonomics Can Help All Types of WorkersUsing Ergonomics Can Help All Types of Workers

– Assembly and Production JobsAssembly and Production Jobs– Construction and MaintenanceConstruction and Maintenance– Healthcare WorkersHealthcare Workers– Packing, warehouse and delivery jobsPacking, warehouse and delivery jobs– Data Entry, typing and computer workData Entry, typing and computer work

It applies to tasks involving:It applies to tasks involving:– Bending, lifting, pushing and pullingBending, lifting, pushing and pulling– Twisting and squeezingTwisting and squeezing– Finger and hand movementsFinger and hand movements– Sitting and standingSitting and standing

It applies to home and play too!It applies to home and play too!

You Can Help Prevent Common You Can Help Prevent Common Injuries and ConditionsInjuries and Conditions

Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs)Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs)Back InjuriesBack InjuriesMuscle InjuriesMuscle InjuriesEyestrain, Headache, Eyestrain, Headache,

FatiqueFatique

Operator Posture at the Computer StationsOperator Posture at the Computer Stations Keep wrist moderately Keep wrist moderately

straight (not bent) and straight (not bent) and relaxed whenever relaxed whenever possible. Wrists possible. Wrists should extend straight should extend straight out from forearm.out from forearm.

Use wrist pads across Use wrist pads across the bottom of the the bottom of the keyboard. Never rest keyboard. Never rest wrists on hard edge.wrists on hard edge.

Wear a wrist support Wear a wrist support strap (if desired) to strap (if desired) to hold your hands in a hold your hands in a neutral position.neutral position.

Operator Posture at the Computer StationsOperator Posture at the Computer Stations Elbows should be bent at a 90 Elbows should be bent at a 90

degree angle. Forearms should degree angle. Forearms should be parallel to the floor. Upper be parallel to the floor. Upper arm should not extend away arm should not extend away from the torso.from the torso.

Torso-to-thigh angle should not Torso-to-thigh angle should not be greater than 90 degrees.be greater than 90 degrees.

Feet should never dangle. Feet Feet should never dangle. Feet should rest flat on the floor. should rest flat on the floor. Use a foot rest if needed.Use a foot rest if needed.

Knees should be as high as Knees should be as high as your hips.your hips.

Do not slouch.Do not slouch. Typist head should tilt down Typist head should tilt down

(about 15 degrees or less).(about 15 degrees or less).

Eye Strain at the Computer StationsEye Strain at the Computer Stations

Do not sit and stare at computer Do not sit and stare at computer for long periods of time. Take for long periods of time. Take frequent breaks, stretch and rest frequent breaks, stretch and rest your eyes.your eyes.

Position the screen directly in Position the screen directly in front a little lower than eye level. front a little lower than eye level. Routinely clean the screen to Routinely clean the screen to eliminate dust that can dim the eliminate dust that can dim the display.display.

Eye Strain at the Computer StationsEye Strain at the Computer Stations If you wear reading If you wear reading

glasses, you may get glasses, you may get a prescription based a prescription based on the distance you sit on the distance you sit from the monitor from the monitor screen. Bi-focal screen. Bi-focal wearers may need wearers may need single correction single correction reading glasses or “tri-reading glasses or “tri-focals.” Contact lens focals.” Contact lens wearers may need a wearers may need a humidifier or drops to humidifier or drops to keep eyes moist.keep eyes moist.

Eye Strain at the Computer StationsEye Strain at the Computer Stations Eliminate glare. Close Eliminate glare. Close

window blinds and avoid window blinds and avoid direct sources of light that direct sources of light that can reflect onto the can reflect onto the monitor.monitor.

Reduce intense color Reduce intense color contrasts between the contrasts between the background and printed background and printed text.text.

Get a larger computer Get a larger computer monitor.monitor.

Exercise your eyes by Exercise your eyes by looking away, blinking looking away, blinking frequently, rolling your eyes frequently, rolling your eyes clockwise then counter clockwise then counter clockwise. Blink frequently. clockwise. Blink frequently.

Keep eyes moist-use re-Keep eyes moist-use re-wetting drops as needed.wetting drops as needed.

Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs)Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs) A single motion may not cause a A single motion may not cause a

problem but repeating it over and problem but repeating it over and over may. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome over may. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) may result from RMIs. You can (CTS) may result from RMIs. You can help prevent these injuries by:help prevent these injuries by:– Changing the procedure and movements Changing the procedure and movements

used.used.– Using stretching and rotating exercisesUsing stretching and rotating exercises– Using very short (e.g., 30 seconds) mini-Using very short (e.g., 30 seconds) mini-

breaks to relieve physical stressbreaks to relieve physical stress– Keeping wrists straight and elbows Keeping wrists straight and elbows

straight (at computer and reprocessing straight (at computer and reprocessing scopes)scopes)

Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs)Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs)

The ability to quickly recognize The ability to quickly recognize symptoms can also play an symptoms can also play an important role in minimizing injuries important role in minimizing injuries like CTS. Early on, CTS may respond like CTS. Early on, CTS may respond to NSAIDS, steroid injections, to NSAIDS, steroid injections, exercises, braces and work exercises, braces and work restrictions. However, once severe restrictions. However, once severe symptoms develop, surgery is often symptoms develop, surgery is often needed.needed.

Back Injuries/DisordersBack Injuries/Disorders

Many workers associate a back injury Many workers associate a back injury with one specific traumatic event. with one specific traumatic event. However, most back injuries are However, most back injuries are actually musculoskeletal disorders actually musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that result from the (MSDs) that result from the combined effect of many stresses combined effect of many stresses and traumas. Usually, the event that and traumas. Usually, the event that seems like the sole cause of an injury seems like the sole cause of an injury is only the last in a long string of is only the last in a long string of traumas.traumas.

5 Main Risk Factors for Back Injury5 Main Risk Factors for Back Injury Heavy physical workHeavy physical work Lifting and forceful movementsLifting and forceful movements Bending and twistingBending and twisting Whole-body vibrationWhole-body vibration Static work posturesStatic work postures

These factors, individually orThese factors, individually orcombined, can cause muscles, ligaments,combined, can cause muscles, ligaments,and tendons in the back to become torn andand tendons in the back to become torn andstretched, as well as inter-vertebral disc stretched, as well as inter-vertebral disc damage. damage.

Help Prevent Back InjuryHelp Prevent Back Injury Avoid lifting whenever you Avoid lifting whenever you

cancan When you have to lift, use When you have to lift, use

proper technique:proper technique:– Take a balanced stance with Take a balanced stance with

your feet about a shoulder-your feet about a shoulder-width apart. One foot can be width apart. One foot can be behind the object and the behind the object and the other next to it. other next to it.

– Use your palms (not just your Use your palms (not just your fingers) to get a secure grip fingers) to get a secure grip on the load. Make sure you'll on the load. Make sure you'll be able to maintain a hold on be able to maintain a hold on the object without switching the object without switching your grip later. your grip later.

Push don’t pullPush don’t pull

Help Prevent Back Injury (cont.)Help Prevent Back Injury (cont.) Lift gradually (without jerking) Lift gradually (without jerking)

using your leg, abdominal and using your leg, abdominal and buttock muscles and keeping the buttock muscles and keeping the load as close to you as possible. load as close to you as possible. Keep your chin tucked in so as to Keep your chin tucked in so as to keep a relatively straight back keep a relatively straight back and neck line. and neck line.

Once you're standing, change Once you're standing, change directions by pointing your feet in directions by pointing your feet in the direction you want to go and the direction you want to go and turning your whole body. Avoid turning your whole body. Avoid twisting at your waist while twisting at your waist while carrying a load. carrying a load.

When you put a load down, use When you put a load down, use these same guidelines in reverse.these same guidelines in reverse.

Help Prevent Back Injury (cont.)Help Prevent Back Injury (cont.) Maintain good general conditioning and Maintain good general conditioning and

flexibility. Leg, back and abdominal flexibility. Leg, back and abdominal strength are especially importantstrength are especially important

Maintain reasonable weight. Excess Maintain reasonable weight. Excess weight puts unnecessary strain on the weight puts unnecessary strain on the abdominal and back muscles and causes abdominal and back muscles and causes greater wear and tear on the joints.greater wear and tear on the joints.

Get help if needed.Get help if needed.

General Guidelines for Patient General Guidelines for Patient HandlingHandling

Always allow patient to assist as much as Always allow patient to assist as much as possible.possible.

Always instruct patient what to do, even if Always instruct patient what to do, even if it is to keep still.it is to keep still.

Always keep in mind the patient’s Always keep in mind the patient’s individual precautions.individual precautions.

Whenever possible, do standing pivot Whenever possible, do standing pivot transfer toward stronger side.transfer toward stronger side.

Avoid assisting patient by grasping Avoid assisting patient by grasping underneath armsunderneath arms

More Ergonomic TipsMore Ergonomic Tips Adjust your position or task Adjust your position or task

frequently to avoid repeated stress frequently to avoid repeated stress on a single part of the body.on a single part of the body.

Keep your wrists straight.Keep your wrists straight. Adjust your pace, if possible. Pace Adjust your pace, if possible. Pace

yourself by taking breaks and doing yourself by taking breaks and doing stretching exercises.stretching exercises.

Reduce the load you are carrying – Reduce the load you are carrying – make multiple trips.make multiple trips.

Practice good body alignment.Practice good body alignment.

Repetitive-Stress Injuries - QuizRepetitive-Stress Injuries - Quiz1.1. Which of these activities can result in Which of these activities can result in

repetitive-stress injury (RSI)?repetitive-stress injury (RSI)?a)a) Pitching a baseballPitching a baseball

b)b) Playing the violinPlaying the violin

c)c) TypingTyping

d)d) All of the aboveAll of the above

2.2. What are warning signs of RSI?What are warning signs of RSI?a)a) A feverish jointA feverish joint

b)b) Loss of much strengthLoss of much strength

c)c) PainPain

d)d) B and CB and C

Repetitive-Stress Injuries - QuizRepetitive-Stress Injuries - Quiz

3.3. Why is RSI difficult to diagnose and Why is RSI difficult to diagnose and treat?treat?

a)a) It may or may not result from work-It may or may not result from work-related tasksrelated tasks

b)b) Underlying physical conditions and Underlying physical conditions and physical differences may increase riskphysical differences may increase risk

c)c) There are no definitive diagnostic testThere are no definitive diagnostic test

d)d) All of the aboveAll of the above

Repetitive-Stress Injuries - QuizRepetitive-Stress Injuries - Quiz4.4. Which of these unhealthful habits may make RSI Which of these unhealthful habits may make RSI

worse?worse?a)a) Not managing stressNot managing stress

b)b) Smoking cigarettesSmoking cigarettes

c)c) Drinking too much alcoholDrinking too much alcohol

d)d) A and BA and B

5.5. The National Standards Institute says that The National Standards Institute says that ergonomically correct workstations should ergonomically correct workstations should include which of these?include which of these?

a)a) Wrists padsWrists pads

b)b) Adjustable document holdersAdjustable document holders

c)c) Detachable keyboardsDetachable keyboards

d)d) B and CB and C

Repetitive-Stress Injuries - QuizRepetitive-Stress Injuries - Quiz6.6. Which of these therapies have proved beneficial Which of these therapies have proved beneficial

in treating RSI?in treating RSI?a)a) NutritionNutrition

b)b) BiofeedbackBiofeedback

c)c) Electrical stimulationElectrical stimulation

d)d) PsychotherapyPsychotherapy

7.7. Which of these can be the most important factor Which of these can be the most important factor in preventing RSI in people who work at in preventing RSI in people who work at computer workstations?computer workstations?

a)a) Ergonomically correct deskErgonomically correct desk

b)b) Ergonomically correct chairErgonomically correct chair

c)c) Correct postureCorrect posture

d)d) Wrist pads for the keyboardWrist pads for the keyboard

Repetitive-Stress Injuries - QuizRepetitive-Stress Injuries - Quiz8.8. For people who work with computers, For people who work with computers,

which of these reduce the risk of RSI?which of these reduce the risk of RSI?a)a) Taking short, frequent breaksTaking short, frequent breaks

b)b) Wrist padsWrist pads

c)c) Flat keyboardsFlat keyboards

d)d) Not typing more than three hours without Not typing more than three hours without taking a breakstaking a breaks

9.9. How does exercise help relieve RSI?How does exercise help relieve RSI?a)a) Improves muscle toneImproves muscle tone

b)b) Reduces tensionReduces tension

c)c) Increases oxygen supplyIncreases oxygen supply

d)d) A and BA and B

Repetitive-Stress Injuries - QuizRepetitive-Stress Injuries - Quiz

10.10. Which of these doctors are trained Which of these doctors are trained specifically to recognize and treat specifically to recognize and treat RSI?RSI?

a)a) General practitionersGeneral practitioners

b)b) Occupational-medicine specialistsOccupational-medicine specialists

c)c) ChiropractorsChiropractors

d)d) NeurosurgeonsNeurosurgeons

Questions?Questions?