ERGONOMICS & THE VDT Problems…and Practical Solutions.

ERGONOMICS ERGONOMICS & THE VDT& THE VDT

ERGONOMICS ERGONOMICS & THE VDT& THE VDT

Problems…and Practical Problems…and Practical SolutionsSolutions

Problems…and Practical Problems…and Practical SolutionsSolutions

ERGONOMICSERGONOMICSERGONOMICSERGONOMICSDefinition:Definition:

Ergonomics is the science that Ergonomics is the science that studies how people interact with studies how people interact with machines and the environment machines and the environment (furniture, lighting, etc.). (furniture, lighting, etc.).

The objective is to find ways to The objective is to find ways to maximize safety, comfort, job maximize safety, comfort, job performance, and accuracy.performance, and accuracy.

ERGONOMICS & THE VDTERGONOMICS & THE VDT

The Cost to Industry The Cost to Industry & your Company& your Company

The Cost to Industry The Cost to Industry & your Company& your Company

Millions of dollars are lost annually as Millions of dollars are lost annually as a result of CTS and other cumulative a result of CTS and other cumulative traumatic disorders.traumatic disorders.

According to N.I.O.S.H. estimates, the According to N.I.O.S.H. estimates, the average cost to the company is average cost to the company is between $15,000 and $20,000, if the between $15,000 and $20,000, if the injured person returns to work.injured person returns to work.

If the person does not return to work, If the person does not return to work, the costs could exceed $100,000.the costs could exceed $100,000.


Many times problems are identified Many times problems are identified by…by…

Employee ComplaintsEmployee Complaints


Workers Workers Compensation Compensation ClaimsClaims

COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Open communication with employees is Open communication with employees is

necessary if you are going to identify necessary if you are going to identify problems or potential problems.problems or potential problems.


One of the first things we need to One of the first things we need to do is:do is:

One of the first things we need to One of the first things we need to do is:do is:

Determine if a Determine if a problem exists problem exists and evaluate and evaluate what needs to what needs to be done to be done to correct it.correct it.


Several risk factors have been Several risk factors have been identified in the VDT identified in the VDT environment that are environment that are avoidable…avoidable…

Employees working in awkward Employees working in awkward positionspositions

Working in static positions over Working in static positions over prolonged periodsprolonged periods

Forceful exertions and repetitive Forceful exertions and repetitive motionsmotions

Prolonged physical contact with the Prolonged physical contact with the work surface, equipment, or furniturework surface, equipment, or furnitureERGONOMICS & THE VDTERGONOMICS & THE VDT

Keyboard too high or Keyboard too high or too lowtoo low

Monitor on an angle, Monitor on an angle, in cornerin corner

Lack of chair supportLack of chair support Chair too high or too Chair too high or too

lowlow

StaplerStapler Hole punchHole punch Packed file drawersPacked file drawers

Awkward Position

Forceful Exertion


Bursting Bursting StaplingStapling

Wrist on desk, Wrist on desk, edge of desk, or edge of desk, or edge of keyboardedge of keyboard

Elbows on Elbows on armrestsarmrests

Excessive Repitition

Physical Contact


Awkward PosturesAwkward Postures

Wrist flexionWrist flexion

Ulnar deviationUlnar deviation

Supine positionSupine position

Pressure at the base of Pressure at the base of

the palmthe palm

Constriction over the Constriction over the

wristwristERGONOMICS & THE VDTERGONOMICS & THE VDT

The chair should be fully The chair should be fully adjustable.adjustable.

The chair should be sized The chair should be sized correctly for the user.correctly for the user.

Demo a chair for a 3 – 5 Demo a chair for a 3 – 5 day period before day period before purchasing.purchasing.

The front edge of the seat The front edge of the seat on the chair should not be on the chair should not be in contact with the user’s in contact with the user’s legs while sitting. legs while sitting.

The chair should be The chair should be supported by a five-leg supported by a five-leg base for stability and glide base for stability and glide easily along the floor easily along the floor surface.surface.

Become familiar with the Become familiar with the operations of your chair. operations of your chair.

Are you using the right chair for you at your Are you using the right chair for you at your worksite?worksite?

A properly designed and adjustable chair is critical A properly designed and adjustable chair is critical to a workstation.to a workstation.

1. Feet flat on the floor.

2. Knees and hips at a 90º angle.

3. Buttocks back in the chair.

4. Lower back should be against the backrest and be supported in the lumbar region of the back.

The user The user must be must be positioned positioned properly properly in in the the chair.chair.

Proper Workstation Proper Workstation ErgonomicsErgonomics


Eye StrainEye StrainEye Strain is another exposure that can be Eye Strain is another exposure that can be reduced by utilizing various techniques… reduced by utilizing various techniques… Adjust the angle and/or position of the Adjust the angle and/or position of the

monitor.monitor. Adjust contrast and brightness controls.Adjust contrast and brightness controls. Position display screens perpendicular to Position display screens perpendicular to

windows.windows. Reduce overhead lighting.Reduce overhead lighting. Glare reducing filters may be effective.Glare reducing filters may be effective. Clean the display screen often.Clean the display screen often.


WorkstationWorkstation Review Review ChecklistChecklist

The Safety Department Website (http://safety.syr.edu) offers a Workstation Review Checklist that will help you make a quick but thorough appraisal of your home and office workstations. The workstation review checklist covers: SeatingSeating Desk/Table for Display UnitDesk/Table for Display Unit Monitor Monitor LightingLighting KeyboardKeyboard Miscellaneous (e.g., – document holder, Miscellaneous (e.g., – document holder,

room temperature, noise)room temperature, noise)ERGONOMICS & THE VDTERGONOMICS & THE VDT

Correction through Correction through Education & AwarenessEducation & Awareness

Correct problems on the spot.Correct problems on the spot. Train all employees.Train all employees. Train new employees.Train new employees. Encourage open Encourage open

communication.communication. Recommend on-going Recommend on-going

training programs.training programs. Screen employees.Screen employees.


Visit the Safety Department Website for more Ergonomic Visit the Safety Department Website for more Ergonomic information:information: http://safety.syr.eduhttp://safety.syr.edu

ERGONOMICS & THE VDT Problems…and Practical Solutions.

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