Who’s Got your Back? (What you don’t know about Office Ergonomics) January 9, 2013 1 Carol...
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Who’s Got your Back? (What you don’t know about Office Ergonomics) January 9, 2013 1 Carol Schmeidler/Kelly Haidar
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Transcript of Who’s Got your Back? (What you don’t know about Office Ergonomics) January 9, 2013 1 Carol...
Who’s Got your Back?(What you don’t know about Office
Ergonomics)
January 9, 2013 1Carol Schmeidler/Kelly Haidar
AgendaBackgroundApplications/LimitationsDefinitionsProblemsSolutionsBacksEquipmentOther SituationsResources
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What This Isn’t
• The end-all, cure-all• Infallible• Guaranteed to help 100%
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What This Is
• Not rocket science!• Helpful• Based on current
standards and recommendations
• Information for the workplace
• Information for home
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But First, Let’s Stretch!
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But First, Let’s Stretch!
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What is ergonomics?
From Greek words “ergon” (work) and “nomos” (law), or…
Fitting jobs to people to prevent or minimize the occurrence of injury
Not limited to computer use!
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Where does our information come from?
Government requirementsAgency RecommendationsIndustry-Specific GuidelinesOther colleges/universitiesManufacturers
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It’s not just computers, but…
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It’s not just computers…
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Types of Problems
Head and neckShoulders and Upper armsBacks - ~85% of people at one timeWrists and HandsOther issues not caused by, but
affected by work activities
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Caveat Ergo
Other possible causes of problems:• Hobbies outside of work• Medical conditions (diabetes,
pregnancy)• Medications• Second/Third jobs• Age-related disorders
A pain in the wrist isn’t always Carpal Tunnel!
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Solutions – Basic Principles
Design ergonomics into any jobPre-planning is the best course of
actionTHERE IS NO “ONE SIZE FITS ALL”It’s not just the furniture! Habits
must also change
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Solutions
Environment affects behavior Movement is criticalMinimize extreme posturesAvoid contact stressTake breaks!
Education Education Education
Solutions – Basic Principles
Minimize extreme postures≥ 90° angles in knees, hips, elbowsAvoid contact stressAdjust what you canImproviseTake breaks!
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Solutions
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Solutions
Chairs:• While standing, seat at knee level • Feet flat on floor (foot board)• Room between chair edge and knees• Backrest supports lower back curve• Shoulders upright, not hunched or low• Arms rest at sides, 90° angle at
elbows17
Solutions
Work Surface• Elbow height• Adequate leg room• Adjustable keyboard trays• Store supplies at work surface level (don’t bend)
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SolutionsMonitor• Directly in front of you• Approximately arm’s length
away• No squinting required• Top of monitor even with
eyebrows
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SolutionsKeyboard
• Directly in front of you (“J”)• Negative tilt• Do not use keyboard
“feet”• Neutral, straight wrists• Don’t rest on wrist rests
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Solutions
Mousing• Hand in straight line with forearm• Do not bend wrist• Mouse should same height as and
directly adjacent to keyboard
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Arranging Your Workstation
Accessories• Headset or shoulder rest• Document holder – adjacent to
monitor• Foot rest• Monitor Arm• Mice, Keyboards
Advice• Turn whole body, don’t twist• Breaks – 1 min./30 min. or 20/20/20 22
Solutions
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Laptop Use
Same requirementsDocking StationsUse laptop as monitor (stand)Aux. keyboard and mouse
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Standing vs. Sitting
Keyboard at elbow heightTop of monitor even with tops of
eyebrowsAnti-fatigue mat to stand onSolid foot rest?Alternate standing with sitting
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Lighting the Way
Different tasks require different levels of light
“Old eyes” need more lightComputer glassesOne source of overhead lights Task lighting avoids glare, provides
additional light when/where needed
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Solutions
Changing habits is also very important
PostureBreaks – stretches?Arrangement of work
stationFollowing suggestions
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Remember that…The best solutions the
most expensiveGadgets, bells & whistles
can’t substitute for training and good practices
The best way to prevent problems is to design them out at the beginning
Be creative in finding solutions
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A Word or Two about Backs
Remember what we said about 85% of the US population reporting back pain?
There are many causes; some preventable, some not
There are things you can do to prevent or limit back problems
Proper Lifting Techniques
Solutions
Carrying• Carry in the “Power Zone”• Redesign process to limit/eliminate need to
carry• Reduce bulk/weight of materials to be carried• Reduce distance
SolutionsPushing/Pulling
• Know the route• Push rather than pull• Minimize weight• Stay close to load, bend knees• Adjustable handles to keep grip within Power
Zone• Ensure good visibility• Avoid twisting/turning
Assistive Devices
These can be helpful, but must be combined with proper body positioning, etc.
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Workstation Evaluations
Assessments provided upon request!
Resources
Your local Safety & Health ProfessionalRecommendations
• www.osha.gov• www.nih.gov/od/ors/ds/ergonomics/lab1.html• www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/• http://www.seating-ergonomics.com/index.html• “The Ergonomics Guide to Computer Workstations –
AIHA publication
Other Universities• www.ergonomics.ucla.edu/• www.ergo.human.cornell.edu/• www.yale.edu/ergo/
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Resources
Vendors/Service Providers• www.humanscale.com• www.alimed.com• www.ergoboy.com• www.ergotron.com• www.officeorganix.com• www.askergoworks.com
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Questions? Thank you!!
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