ERGONOMICS ERGONOMICS

ERGONOMICS... ERGONOMICS...

The term “ergonomics” is derived from two The term “ergonomics” is derived from two Greek words: “ergon”, meaning work and Greek words: “ergon”, meaning work and “nomoi”, meaning natural laws. “nomoi”, meaning natural laws.

Ergonomists study human capabilities in Ergonomists study human capabilities in relationship to work demands. relationship to work demands.

Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to

prevent repetitive strain Injuries, which can develop over time and can prevent repetitive strain Injuries, which can develop over time and can

lead to long-term disability.lead to long-term disability.

POSTURE...POSTURE...

All of us could significantly reduce our risk of injury if All of us could significantly reduce our risk of injury if

we could adhere to the following ergonomic principles:we could adhere to the following ergonomic principles: All work activities should permit the worker to All work activities should permit the worker to

adopt several different, but equally healthy and adopt several different, but equally healthy and safe postures safe postures

Where muscular force has to be exerted it Where muscular force has to be exerted it should be done by the largest appropriate should be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available. muscle groups available.

Work activities should be performed with the Work activities should be performed with the joints at about mid-point of their range of joints at about mid-point of their range of movement. This applies particularly to the head, movement. This applies particularly to the head, trunk, and upper limbs. trunk, and upper limbs.

THE PROBLEM... THE PROBLEM...

Here, however, we arrive at a serious problem - and a Here, however, we arrive at a serious problem - and a challenge to conventional ergonomic thinking: In order to challenge to conventional ergonomic thinking: In order to put these recommendations into practice, a person put these recommendations into practice, a person would have to be a skilled observer of his or her own would have to be a skilled observer of his or her own joint and muscle functioning and would have to be able joint and muscle functioning and would have to be able to change his or her posture to a healthier one at will. No to change his or her posture to a healthier one at will. No one develops this sort of highly refined sensory one develops this sort of highly refined sensory awareness without special training. Therefore, in order to awareness without special training. Therefore, in order to derive the benefits of ergonomic research, we must learn derive the benefits of ergonomic research, we must learn how to observe our bodies in a new way.* Any attempt to how to observe our bodies in a new way.* Any attempt to improve workplace conditions can have only limited improve workplace conditions can have only limited success if this issue is ignored. success if this issue is ignored.

One of the most common One of the most common work-related hazards of concern to work-related hazards of concern to

ergonomists is ergonomists is

back painback pain. .

BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION…BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION…THE BACKBELTTHE BACKBELT

WHY????????WHY????????

AT BEST THEY STIMULATE YOU TO AT BEST THEY STIMULATE YOU TO THINK ABOUT BACK CARETHINK ABOUT BACK CARE

THEY PROVIDE THEY PROVIDE NONO BACK SUPPORT BACK SUPPORT BEST USE IS FOR KEEPING YOUR MID-BEST USE IS FOR KEEPING YOUR MID-

SECTION WARMSECTION WARM THEY DO NOT KEEP YOUR BACK THEY DO NOT KEEP YOUR BACK

STRAIGHT…….STRAIGHT…….

10 TO 1 RATIO….10 TO 1 RATIO….

BACK INSTITUTE.. ASHLAND, KY.BACK INSTITUTE.. ASHLAND, KY.

$56 BILLION………..$56 BILLION………..ASSOCIATED IN BACK PAIN LAST ASSOCIATED IN BACK PAIN LAST

YEAR ALONE… YEAR ALONE… RELATED TO: LOSS WORK TIME, RELATED TO: LOSS WORK TIME,

W.C., DAMAGE COSTS, MEDICAL W.C., DAMAGE COSTS, MEDICAL BILLSBILLS

EMPLOYERS ARE PAYING FOR EMPLOYERS ARE PAYING FOR THIS….THIS….

CELL PHONE ELBOWCELL PHONE ELBOW

LAPTOPS/DESK TOPS: LAPTOPS/DESK TOPS: ERGONOMIC ADVICEERGONOMIC ADVICE

They are not very ergonomic – it’s not usually possible to use them in a good posture and they can cause you problems. You need to try to prevent: neck or eye problems from trying to see the screen at an awkward angle.

Wrist and hand problems from bending your wrists to use the keyboard, or from overusing the other input devices (mouse, rollerball, pad, etc)

Shoulder or back problems from carrying the laptop, or from reaching too far to use it, or from using it extensively in an unusual posture such as slouching, bending over or lying down.

Over-heating of the groin due to supporting the hot laptop on your lap (despite its name!)

Working on a Laptop/DesktopWorking on a Laptop/Desktop Find a posture in which you can keep your wrists straight (neutral, in line

with your forearms), your shoulders relaxed and your back supported, and in which you feel comfortable.

Align the laptop centrally with your body – don’t twist around to use it. Take frequent breaks from working on the laptop, and get up to stretch and

walk around at least once an hour and more frequently if possible. Change your posture often, whenever it becomes even slightly

uncomfortable; don’t stay in one position for more than 15 minutes or so. Rest your eyes frequently by looking at something far away or by closing

them for a minute or two. Remember to blink more to prevent your eyes feeling dry. Take whatever software training you can because the more skilled you are

with the programs you use, the less time you will need to spend on the laptop.

Make sure your battery lasts so you don’t end up having to work

like this!

Ergonomics in the workplaceErgonomics in the workplace...has to do largely with the safety of employees, ...has to do largely with the safety of employees,

both long and short-term. Ergonomics can help both long and short-term. Ergonomics can help reduce costs by improving safety. This would reduce costs by improving safety. This would decrease the money paid out in workers’ decrease the money paid out in workers’ compensation claims. For example, over five compensation claims. For example, over five million workers sustain overextension injuries million workers sustain overextension injuries per year. Through ergonomics, workplaces can per year. Through ergonomics, workplaces can be designed so that workers do not have to be designed so that workers do not have to overextend themselves and the manufacturing overextend themselves and the manufacturing industry could save billions in workers’ industry could save billions in workers’ compensation claims. compensation claims.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s) Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s)

There are several approaches that may be used There are several approaches that may be used to determine whether conditions in the to determine whether conditions in the workplace might be contributing to employees workplace might be contributing to employees developing MSD’s. These approaches can be developing MSD’s. These approaches can be used individually or in combination. used individually or in combination.

Both work-related and non-work related Both work-related and non-work related conditions can either individually, or by conditions can either individually, or by interacting with each other, give rise to interacting with each other, give rise to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s). musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s).

Ergonomics Contributing Ergonomics Contributing Conditions… Conditions… www.OSHA.govwww.OSHA.gov

How do I look for conditions that may How do I look for conditions that may contribute to musculoskeletal disorders? contribute to musculoskeletal disorders?

Review and analyze injury and illness recoReview and analyze injury and illness recordsrds to determine whether there is a pattern of to determine whether there is a pattern of ergonomic-related injuries in certain jobs ergonomic-related injuries in certain jobs or work tasks. or work tasks.

OSHA 300 Logs and supporting 301 formsOSHA 300 Logs and supporting 301 forms Workers' Compensation claims Workers' Compensation claims

RADIO STATION….WIIFMRADIO STATION….WIIFM

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