ERGONOMICS

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ERGONOMICS
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ERGONOMICS...

• The term ergonomics is derived from two Greek
  words ergon, meaning work and nomoi, meaning
  natural laws.
• Ergonomists study human capabilities in
  relationship to work demands.

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Ergonomics is the science of designing the job,
equipment, and workplace to fit the worker.
Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent
repetitive strain Injuries, which can develop
over time and can lead to long-term disability.
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POSTURE...
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All of us could significantly reduce our risk of
injury if we could adhere to the following
ergonomic principles

• All work activities should permit the worker to
  adopt several different, but equally healthy and
  safe postures
• Where muscular force has to be exerted it should
  be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups
  available.
• Work activities should be performed with the
  joints at about mid-point of their range of
  movement. This applies particularly to the head,
  trunk, and upper limbs.

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THE PROBLEM...

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

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One of the most common work-related hazards of
concern to ergonomists is back pain.
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BIGGEST MISCONCEPTIONTHE BACKBELT
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WHY????????

• AT BEST THEY STIMULATE YOU TO THINK ABOUT BACK
  CARE
• THEY PROVIDE NO BACK SUPPORT
• BEST USE IS FOR KEEPING YOUR MID-SECTION WARM
• THEY DO NOT KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT.

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10 TO 1 RATIO.
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BACK INSTITUTE.. ASHLAND, KY.

• 56 BILLION..
• ASSOCIATED IN BACK PAIN LAST YEAR ALONE
• RELATED TO LOSS WORK TIME, W.C., DAMAGE COSTS,
  MEDICAL BILLS
• EMPLOYERS ARE PAYING FOR THIS.

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CELL PHONE ELBOW
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LAPTOPS/DESK TOPS ERGONOMIC ADVICE

• They are not very ergonomic its 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!)

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Working 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 dont
  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 dont 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.

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Make sure your battery lasts so you dont end
up having to work like this!
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Ergonomics in the workplace

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

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Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

• There are several approaches that may be used to
  determine whether conditions in the workplace
  might be contributing to employees developing
  MSDs. These approaches can be used individually
  or in combination.
• Both work-related and non-work related conditions
  can either individually, or by interacting with
  each other, give rise to musculoskeletal
  disorders (MSDs).

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Ergonomics Contributing Conditions www.OSHA.gov

• How do I look for conditions that may contribute
  to musculoskeletal disorders?
• Review and analyze injury and illness records to
  determine whether there is a pattern of
  ergonomic-related injuries in certain jobs or
  work tasks.
• OSHA 300 Logs and supporting 301 forms
• Workers' Compensation claims

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