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© ERGO Inc. 2014 www.ergoconsulting.ca [email protected]

ERGONOMIC ACCOMMODATIONS

FOR OFFICE WORKERS

Presented By:

Jason Cook, B.Sc., (ERGO Option)

Ergonomic & Return to Work Specialist

ABOUT ERGO Inc.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT ERGO Inc.

Watch our video www.ergoconsulting.ca

AGENDA

1. Why Accommodate?

2. Accommodation Process – ERGO

3. Legs and Lower Back

4. Hands and Wrists

5. Shoulders and Upper Back

6. Neck

7. Case Studies

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ERGONOMICS (IEA Definition)

Scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.

Fitting the job to the worker! Accommodation!

Every day lost costs employers $600-1000 in direct costs The true cost to an employer is 5 times this amount in indirect costs On average, companies can pay over $75,000 to every injured worker

WHY ACCOMMODATE?

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An employee off of work for 1 year has an 85% chance of NEVER returning to the workforce

The amount paid for an injured worker can reach over $355,000 if the employee is unable to return to work

WHY ACCOMMODATE?

Cumulative stresses on the body over time lead to wear and tear of musculoskeletal system

COMMON TYPES OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (MSD)

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1st Degree MSD 2nd Degree MSD 3rd Degree MSD

Pain with activity

Pain takes a while to develop

Pain disappears a couple of hours after activity

Usually not a problem on week-ends

Pain during work

Pain continues for several hours after work

Pain may be present when trying to sleep

Pain gone the next morning

Pain continues after work

Pain is still present the next day before work

All activity using that body part is painful

Waking at night due to pain

STAGES OF AN MSD

ACCOMMODATION PROCESS

Examine

Resources

Guide

Observe and tweak

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Examine

Resources

Guide

Observe and tweak

Examine all aspects of

situation, particularly the

restrictions, needs and

capabilities of the employee


Examine

Resources

Guide

Observe and tweak

What changes to the

workstation, tools and

equipment can be provided to

allow suitable and productive

work?

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Examine

Resources

Guide

Observe and tweak

Training in work techniques,

proper posture, operation of

equipment and ergonomic

principles is necessary to

ensure continued success


Examine

Resources

Guide

Observe and tweak

Monitoring of employee is

required to ensure the

implemented solutions work

and continue to work

Use another approach if the

solution isn’t working

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LEGS AND LOWER BACK

Supported through chair and floor or foot rest

SEATED ANTHROPOMETRICS

F. Sitting Height

G. Seated Eye Height

H. Sitting Shoulder Height

I. Elbow Height from Seat

J. Popliteal Height

K. Knee Height

L. Buttock-Popliteal Height

M. Foot Length

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CHAIR

Chairs do not arrive “factory

adjusted”. Individuals are

responsible for correctly

adjusting their chair to suit

their needs.

Even if the design of the chair is

ideal, the user has to

understand the necessity of

using the chair correctly.

FOOTREST

When a chair needs to be

adjusted higher to fit the work

surface height a footrest might

be needed.

A footrest may be used to allow

change of leg position as well.

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ADJUSTING YOUR CHAIR

1. Locate all adjustments and know what each does. 2. Stand in front of your chair, facing the back rest. 3. Adjust the seat height so the highest point of the seat is just below

your kneecap. If this height is too high, use a footrest. 4. Sit upright on your seat, so that the clearance between the front

of your seat and the back of your knees just fits a clenched fist. 5. Remaining in this position, adjust the back rest of the chair so it

supports the hollow of your lower back. 6. Adjust the backrest angle so that your trunk is close to upright. 7. Adjust arm rests so that they support your elbows. Your arms

should be bent to ninety degrees and your shoulders should be relaxed.

CHAIR FEATURES

What are the minimum adjustment features for injured employee?

What other adjustment features are available?

Consider an employee’s functional capabilities and considerations for symptom relief

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STANDING WORKSTATIONS

What happens when we

stand?

–Disc Pressure

What are the advantages?

What are the disadvantages?

STANDING ANTHROPOMETRICS

A. Stature

B. Eye Height

C. Shoulder Height

D. Knuckle Height

E. Elbow Height

F. Foot Breadth

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SIT STAND WORKSTATIONS

Consider the following: – Type of work

– Employee sizes

– Knee room

– Adjustability

– Height of working field

– Range of adjustments

– Tools that will be used

– Work flow and organization

This

SIT STAND WORKSTATIONS

http://www.ergocanada.com/detailed_specification_pages/health_postures_computer_taskmate.html

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QUIZ TIME

What is a “good ergonomic” chair?

Why can sitting be harmful?

How often should we recommend workers get out of their chairs?

When are sit stand workstations needed for accommodation?

HANDS AND WRISTS

Most interaction with equipment close to body and Awkward postures can result

Repetition and Posture Illustration: Clothespin squeezing

Posture Illustration: Forearm bones

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KEYBOARD

Keyboard height and position affect your posture.

Keyboarding can be highly repetitious.

Keyboard trays can help achieve neutral postures; however are not required to be “ergonomically correct”.

Wrist rests can help maintain straight wrist postures. They are not meant to lean on while typing.

KEYBOARD POSITION

Align the “B” with the bellybutton

Home row on your keyboard should be at elbow height.

Your upper arms should be vertical, forearm horizontal.

Wrists should be straight, shoulders relaxed.

No contact stress on arms.

Posture Illustration:

Pen on wrist

90 degrees

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ERGONOMIC OPTIONS

MOUSE

The use of a mouse can be a highly repetitious task.

Each click of the mouse requires a muscle contraction within the hand and forearm.

This can lead to muscle fatigue, especially if forceful gripping occurs.

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POSITIONING THE MOUSE

Your mouse should be positioned as close to your midline as possible. You should not have to reach for it.

Place your mouse beside your keyboard at the same height.

Your elbow angle should be between 75 and 130 degrees.

Your upper arms should be below 45 degrees from the horizontal.

Your wrists should be as close to straight as possible (i.e. extension should not exceed 20 degrees).

Your wrists should not be bent to either side (i.e. deviated). They should be straight.

ERGONOMIC OPTIONS

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ROLLERMOUSE VIDEO

www.ergoconsulting.ca

Resources – videos to use at your workplace

QUIZ TIME

When should a keyboard tray be considered?

Why can mousing be hurtful?

What are options for mousing?

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SHOULDERS AND UPPER BACK

Challenges when frequent reaching Static Contraction Illustration Shrugging and forward shoulder postures

REDUCING REACHING

What items are reached for?

How can reaching be reduced?

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EXAMPLE

NECK

Interacts with monitor position and while working with documents

Tension Illustration

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MONITOR

Repeatedly tilting your head up, down, or turning it to the side to look at your monitor can contribute to neck stiffness, back pain and other strains.

A monitor that is placed too close may lead to eye irritation.

POSITIONING THE MONITOR

Place the top of the monitor at horizontal eye level.

Tilt monitor slightly backward.

Place monitor directly in front of the body, approximately arm’s length away.

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BIFOCALS

Place monitor slightly lower than horizontal eye level.

Bring monitor closer.

Be sure your neck is upright.

DUAL MONITORS

Determine which eye is dominant

Position primary screen directly in front

Position secondary screen on dominant side

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DOCUMENT HOLDER

Positioned between your monitor and your keyboard, an inline document holder helps to minimize sideways movement of the head and neck

Documents are angled such that the eyes simply need to flick down to view and the head and neck can stay relaxed

TELEPHONE AND HEADSET USE

Avoid bending the neck and

holding the receiver while

talking on the telephone. This

can lead to neck stiffness and

headaches.

Headsets are ideal for extended

telephone use.

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QUIZ TIME

What height should a monitor be positioned in relation to the worker?

What do you need to consider when someone is wearing glasses?

How should dual monitors be positioned?

REVIEW OF PROPER WORKSTATION SET UP

RECAP

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ACCOMMODATION CASE

STUDIES

ED’S BACK INJURY

• Ed has on old back injury that involved a herniated disc

• Sitting long hours at his workstation causes him a great deal of discomfort

• He works with 2 computers

Limitations include:

• Sitting > 30 minutes

• Standing > 30 minutes

• Lifting > 10 lbs.

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ASSESSMENT TIPS

What potential areas might you consider when looking for causes of this discomfort?

What might you do to manage these concerns?

ROSE’S SORE WRISTS

• Rose works at a call center • She spends 8 hrs

performing data entry and written tasks while simultaneously on the telephone

• She has bilateral wrist discomfort and sometimes wears wrist splints


• Typing > 30 minutes


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ASSESSMENT TIPS



GARY’S SORE SHOULDER

• Gary has right shoulder discomfort

• He spends 8-10 hours at his computer

• Pain is very sharp and is starting to cause numbness and tingling in right hand and fingers

• He has decreased range of motion


• Arm Raising > 90 degrees


• No repetitive use

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ASSESSMENT TIPS



OLIVIA’S NECK DISCOMFORT

Olivia spends 4-6 hours at her computer workstation

She has been experiencing neck pain that is now radiating into her shoulders


• Typing > 60 minutes


• No working overhead

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ASSESSMENT TIPS



Thank you for attending this workshop! Questions?

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