Human factors and ergonomicsSomething , somewhere went terribly wrong

Dr. Samaresh Das

Ergonomics

Ergonomicso Ergonomics is the science and the art of fitting the

job and the workplace to workers’ needs.

o It is the study of work & way to make jobs / tasks

in a better way

o It is a way to make work easier

Why Ergonomics?To reduce the risk of

•Accidents•Injury • Ill health due to poor ergonomics

Reduce Sickness absence / Costs

Increase Performance / Output

Everyone in any organization is at risk and it is not just

“heavy” or “physical” jobs that cause injury

So our aim should be FEEL BETTER ,

WORK SMARTER

Assessments……

By assessing all aspects of:

o Individuals and the jobs they perform e.g. Their

physical capabilities, tasks, equipment ,tools and

working environment

oTo design work systems that are safe, flexible,

efficient and productive.

Health Issues Associated with Poor Ergonomics

Back pain / Injuries

Work related upper limb disorder

Psychological problems (Stress)

Musculoskeletal Disorders- MSDs

o Musculoskeletal Disorders affect the muscles, nerves

and tendons. They are:

o Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

o Tendinitis

o Rotator cuff injuries (shoulder problem)

o Epicondylitis (elbow problem)

o Muscle strains and low back pain

Back Pain & InjuriesoBending, Twisting, and Lifting

o Incorrect Posture

o Prolonged Sitting and/or Standing

o Slips & Fall

o Exposure to Vibration

Work Related Upper Limb Disorders

continued “over use” can lead to permanent damage through:

oRepetitive actions

oFrequent applications of force

oUnnatural postures/positions

oInadequate rest and recovery

oInadequate physical preparation (warming up)

Psychological Factors

Person under too much “pressure” may be more at risk ato Physical / Ergonomic Injury

o Fatigue

o Accidents ( mistakes, inattention, saving time, shortcut’s)

o General ill health (run down / poor condition)

o Substance Abuse

The Worker & ErgonomicsTwo Basic Objectiveso Match the requirements of a task to the individualo Optimise the design of the task to the individual to reduce the

risk of injury, ill health and discomfort. o E.g.: Work stations may need to be adjustable so that they

suit a range of people.

The Worker & Ergonomics

The WorkerEach worker is unique:oSize & Shapeo Age and Gendero Race and Languageo Physical Ability (Health & Fitness)o Limitations Vulnerabilities, Disabilities, Mental Abilityo ExperienceoIt is very difficult to optimise a task or a workplace to suit everyone

People and Comfort….Different views about

• Temperature

• Ventilation

• Lighting

• Background Noise

• Isolation

• Overcrowding

• CommunicationDiscomfort will influence how a person will work

The Risk of Injury….

o Doing something too frequently without break

o Work in awkward position/ angles

o Workstation is not “fit”

o Working under discomfort and significant pressure

Office Ergonomics

Office of horrors

Ideal Office

Good ergonomics

Ergonomics

o One of the biggest injury risk factors is static posture.o Try to spend at least 5 minutes /hr hour away from your computer.o Remember to ONLY stretch to the point of mild tension.o Try to incorporate the stretches into your daily routine.o This slide provides some illustrations of simple active stretches to

perform at the office.

Hand Exerciseso Tightly clench your hand into a fist and release, fanning out the

fingers. Repeat 3 times

Good ergonomics

Back and Shoulder ExercisesStand up straight, place your right hand on your left

shoulder and move your head back gently. Do the same thing for the right shoulder

Head and Neck Exercises…o Move head sideways from left to right and back to

lefto Move head backwards and then forward

Stretches…..

Stretches Cont……

Stretches Cont……

Home Ergonomics

oIt is about making home more comfortable, efficient and user-friendly living space.

oThe ergonomics of home greatly affect body and overall health.

KitchenoInstall a cushioned mat to stand

o Use oven that is mounted near chest height, eliminating the need to bend over.

o Choose a refrigerator that has a bottom-mounted freezer, which reduces the need to bend over when accessing the main body of the fridge.

Living Roomo Furniture should be easy to move

o Avoid couches that are too low and without a proper lumbar support

o Avoid sitting in front of the television in a position where neck is maintaining an upward tilt

o When eating in front of the television, place food on a surface that is high enough to eliminate the need to bend over to eat.

BedroomoUse cervical pillow that supports the natural curve of neck.

o Use products that properly support your neck while reading or watching television in bed

o Use a mattress that supports your spine

BathroomoUse bath, floor mats and install hand bars to prevent slips and falls.

oBathroom sinks and showerheads not be too low

Driving Ergonomics

Driving Ergonomics

For back Support o Choose a vehicle that sits high - an SUV instead of a sports car

oEnter the car first by sitting down and then swinging your legs under the wheel

o To leave your vehicle, slide the car seat back before swinging your legs out and planting your feet on the ground.

oLook for cars with automatic transmissions and power steering.

oUse a lumbar support cushion and add foam wedges to the seat to elevate pelvis

For Neck and shoulder o Avoid leaning forward when sit in the driver’s seat

o Position the car seat comfortable and not stretching

o Make sure there is sufficient room between head and the roof of the car

Optimal car seato Choose a comfortable and supportive seat

o Confirm all adjustment mechanisms are easy to use

o Make sure the seat material does not create discomfort and all parts of the seat provide adequate support

Ergo Driving Breako To reset spine and alleviate pressure caused by prolonged sitting, take advantage of red lights or sitting in traffic by doing some simple stretches

oHolding a steering wheel in awkward postures or too tightly can cause carpal tunnel syndrome

Ergo Checklist

Thanks