Office Ergonomics

Department of Administrative Services

A Safe Place to work is not an Accident.

Attention must be paid to:

• Posture • Chair• Keyboard• Mouse• Computer Screens• Lighting• Leg Room• Desk Arrangement• Daily Routine

Total Safety Culture

It is a place where all employees and managers believe that accidents/injuries are:

Predictable Preventable Unacceptable

because they affect the health & well being of the employees.

Ergonomics

The study of the worker and the work environment.

A way of thinking about • the design of tools and

equipment • the layout of the work

environment• the work process

CUMULATIVE TRAUMA DISORDERS

A type of injury which relates to some aspect of continuous and/or repetitive work and other such activities.

frequency

force

posture

Office activities that contribute to cumulative trauma

StaplingHole PunchingOpening MailPaging DocumentsHandwritingOperating CopiersProcessing ReceiptsKeyboardingExtensive Laptop UseExtended Sitting

Cradling TelephoneViewing Computer ScreenUsing MouseHolding Foot on PedalReaching Above ShouldersLifting Above ShouldersPushing/Pulling CartsResting Arms on Hard SurfaceImproper Chairs

NON-OCCUPATIONAL RISK FACTORS

INHERENT

AgeGenderHereditary ConditionsHormonal ChangesPrevious TraumaTumors/CystsArthritisDiseases

VARIABLE

Hobbies/AthleticsDietSmokingAlcoholismNon-Work StressMuscle TensionContraceptives

•People Are Different

•People Have Limitations

•People Have Predictable Reactions

Human Factors

As these factors increase•Force•Frequency•Awkward Position•Temperature•Vibration

Injuries increase

Productivity decreases

Risk Factors

Early Warning Signs of Ergonomic Problems

SwellingDiscomfort, Pain

Numbness, TinglingBurning Sensations

Stiffness, loss of range of motionWeaknessInsomnia

VITAL ELEMENTS:

The CHAIR

•Adjust the armrest to allow the shoulders to remain in neutral position•The backrest should be adjustable to provide comfortably support. It should not rock•The seat cushion should be in good condition• Back of knee slightly higher then seat chair for good blood circulation flow• There should be 5 legs for stability• A waterfall front is recommended • Height adjustment is extremely important• Entire foot sole should rest on floor

THE MONITOR

Height: Top of screen at eye level Angulation: Minimal tilting Position: Directly in front Distance: 18 - 24" away (about an arms length away) Brightness/Image: Adjustable/clear & sharp Color/screen: Multi-color/kept clean

Note: The height and distance of the document whichis being copied should be the same as that of the monitor and share the visual space.

POSITION - The keyboard should be positioned directly in front of the operator. Moving it to eitherside causes fatigue.

HEIGHT - Ideally, allows the operator's upperand lower arms to be at a 90 degree angle. 15degrees either way can cause pain and decreaseproductivity.

ANGULATION - The keyboard should be angled at a downward slope or evenly balanced. It can be elevated in the rear 2 1/2 ", if it does not place the wrists in a compromised position.

The Keyboard

Design and UseReduce bending wrists by moving entire armWrists should be extended straight, not up and downKeyboard feet can be used to maintain neutral

position

The work surface is correctly adjusted to the physical characteristics of the individual when: 1. Arms can be positioned at 90 degrees 2. Tools are arranged to minimize the distance you have to reach for them 3. There is sufficient room for equipment 4. There is sufficient leg room beneath the desk – find place a place for all the extra stuff somewhere other than under the desk

Note: Where the individual's feet can not be positioned flat on the floor, a footrest should be made available.

DESK/WORK SURFACE

Keep document closeMinimize head, neck, or back movementDocument holder beneath monitor

Document Position

Light Contrast Well-distributed diffuse light Use colors to better reflect light Reduce dark shadows

Glare Orient work stations Glare does not reflect on the screen Blinds or drapes Clean the monitor frequently Glare filters Use barriers to reduce glare Tilt monitor slightly lowered Dark colors and light background

Breaks and Stretches Take frequent breaks “Get up for safety” Take walks Stretch Fitness

Think Ergonomics Fit the workstation to you

SOME GUIDELINES TO ENSURE SUCCESS

•EMPLOYEE AWARENESS IS ESSENTIAL

•IDENTIFY REPETITIVE TASKS/EXPOSURES

•RECOGNIZE THAT INITIAL CHANGES MADE•WILL PRODUCE SOME DISCOMFORT

•ADJUSTABILITY CAN ACCOMMODATE 90%OF THE GENERAL POPULATION

•CONSIDER SOLUTIONS FOR LAPTOPS

•WRIST RESTS AND BRACES ARE NOT CURE-ALL SOLUTIONS

ConclusionProvide adjustable workstationMinimize repetitive motion/awkward postureKeyboard and mouse positioning Work processReduce glareBreaks/stretches

Questions???