Ergonomics Presented By:

Judith Duval Deserine Foster Carla Rankine Sasha-Gaye Roberts

What Is Ergonomics

• Derived from the Greek words ergo (work) and nomos (natural laws). The name was officially proposed at a 1949 meeting of the British Admiralty (July 12), by Prof. Hugh Murrell and was officially accepted in 1950.

Origin of the Word Ergonomics

Definition of Ergonomics• The science of fitting

worksites to people. It focuses on designing workstations, tools and tasks with an eye toward safety, efficiency and comfort. Effective ergonomic design promotes comfort, reduces workplace injuries and increases job satisfaction and productivity.

Ergonomic Factors• Floor Plan• Colour• Lighting• Acoustics• Ventilation • Furniture &

Equipment

• Factor empty space in front of filing cabinets to fully extend drawers, plus at least 18 additional inches if the drawers will be accessed by a person standing in front of them.

• Allow at least 36 inches for walkway

• Colours should be chosen based on lighting conditions, temperature fluctuations and working atmosphere.

Colour

• Warm colours such as yellow, gold, peach, copper or beige assist in providing the sensation that the atmosphere is warmer.

• Cool colour such as green, teal, blue and gray will promote a sense of coolness and freshness.

• poor lighting conditions in offices, can cause eyestrain, eye irritation, blurred vision, headaches or even stiff necks and aches in the shoulders, as workers adjust work areas to avoid glare.

• Lamps & anti-glare screens should be used to control lighting and glare.

Lighting

• The scientific study of sound, especially of its generation, transmission, and reception which includes the qualities or properties of an enclosed space in transmitting sound.

• Noise that is offensive to the office professional should be controlled as it diminishes efficiency and decreases productivity (Fulton-Calkins & Hanks, 2004) as it distorts communication, affects concentration, and increases irritability and fatigue.

Acoustics

• The most common sources of irritating noise within an office are conversations, telephones and other office equipment; such as computers, air-conditioned units, fax machines and lighting fixtures.

• To control noise:To control noise:– Purchase silent equipment or install rubber

pads or isolation damping devices under noisy equipment (to reduce vibrations and transmission to furniture and floors)

– Place equipment in a separate room/enclosure or further away from the general area of work.

– Install acoustical panels, carpeting, draperies and acoustical ceilings.

– Provide conference rooms for small to large group meetings.

• A comfortable environment should be provided with respect to humidity and temperature as extremes in humidification levels can influence how comfortable a worker will be .

• High humidity makes people wet, clammy and irritable.

• Low humidity dries out the nasal and respiratory passages.

Ventilation

• Office furnishings should have adjustable components that enable the user to modify the workstation to accommodate different physical dimensions and the requirements of the job.

• Should eliminate static or awkward posture, repetitive motion, poor access or inadequate clearance and excessive reach, displays that are difficult to read and understand, and controls that are confusing to operate or require too much force.

Furniture & Equipment

Workstation Principles

1

1

3

13

3

3

3

2

1

1

2

1

2

2

DISPLAY ANGLE 5°-20°

VIEWING DISTANCE 13-30

inches

KEYBOARD SLOPE 5°-25°

The angle between your torso and legs should be greater than 90°

BACK SUPPORT

Overview of Job Functions

• Answer general queries of the public

• Type letters, reports, memos and other correspondences

• Maintain filing systems

Secretary

• Receive and dispatch incoming and outgoing calls

• Meet and greet customers

Receptionist/Operator

Key: - Television - Filing Cabinet -Table - Desk - Bookcase - Desk - Chair - Water cooler

Office Before Redesign

Snap Shots

Office After Redesign

Lobby Area

Reception Area

Secretarial Offices

Budget- Lobby AreaQt

yItem Description Unit

Price $Ext. Price $

1 Laminate Flooring 14’7⅟2”x10’ 8”

28,705.08

28,705.08

6 Vertical Blinds 24” (w)x42” (h)

12,791.70

12,791.70

1 Publo 4-seater Chair 115,253.00

115,253.00

1 Publo 3-seater Chair 49,006.69

49,006.69

1 Wall Mounted Pamphlet Holder

3,634.80

3,634.80

1 Artificial Palm 9,320.00

9,320.00

Relocation of Water Cooler

4,500.00

4,500.00

1 13”-27” Adj. T.V. Wall Mount

4,010.40

4,010.40

TotalTotal 227,221.67

Budget- Operator/ Receptionist Workstation

Qty

Item Description Unit Price $

Ext. Price $

1 Topline 1600 x 600 Desk

20,038.00

20,038.00

1 Topline 3 Drawer Pedestal

12,903.00

12,903.00

1 Freedom High Back Chair

60,504.28

60,504.28

6 23⅝”x69⅝” Panels (JF0068)

20,364.20

122,185.20

2 JF6018 End Cover 1,372.37 2,744.74

2 JF5118 L-Type Connector

1,960.70 3,921.40

1 Telephone Microphone Headset

2,573.89 2,573.89

1 Door Stopper 238.60 238.60

TotalTotal 225,109.11

Budget- Secretarial OfficesQt

yItem Description Unit

Price $Ext. Price $

3 Puzzle 1600 x 1200 Desk

39,491.17

118,473.51

3 Puzzle Tall Units 57,645.37

172,936.11

3 Redix High Back Chair w. Arms

11,160.00

33,480.00

8 31⅟2”x53⅞” Panels (JF0084)

17,059.10

136,472.80

3 27⅟2”x53⅞” Panels (JF0074)

19,606.95

58,820.85

6 JF6014 End Cover 1,373.54 8,241.24

3 JF5114 L-Type Connector

1,569.26 4,707.78

3 Topline 3-D Lateral Cabinet

65,879.58

76,749.71

23’4”x10’8” Carpeting

42,747.72

42,747.72

2 Artificial Plants 9,320.00 18,640.00

Budget- Secretarial OfficesQt

yItem Description Unit

Price $Ext. Price $

3 Keyboard Tray w. mouse surface

6,863.02 20,589.06

3 Rolling CPU Stand 3,483.35 10,450.05

3 Computers w. flat screen monitor

60,000.00

180,000.00

TotalTotal 882,308.83

Grand Total

•$1,334639.61

Summary• To ensure the continuous

development and productivity of companies, employers must ensure the comfort and health of their employees by adopting an ergonomic approach to the design of workspaces.

Special Thanks

• Steve Cole• David Duval• Sherene McPherson• Kerri Todd- Managing Dir.

S.O.S• Stephen Todd- Managing

Dir. S.O.S

The End