Office Ergonomics

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Office Ergonomics

• Training provided by
• University of Kentucky
• Occupational Health and Safety Department

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• This training is specifically designed to satisfy
  training requirements for the University of
  Kentucky and for individuals who are students,
  faculty, or staff of the University. The
  individuals and departments utilizing this
  training are responsible for completing any
  prerequisites, completing refresher training as
  required, and maintaining their departmental
  training records. This training is not intended
  or represented for use by any other entity or
  individual outside the University of Kentucky.

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Defining Ergonomics

• Ergonomics is the science of fitting the
  workplace and job demands to the working
  population

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Why is it Important?

• Ensuring that workstations and work tasks
• are designed properly aids in the prevention
• of work related musculoskeletal disorders
• (WRMDs) while increasing worker
• productivity.

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What are MDs WRMDs?

• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MD) are injuries that
  involve the tendons, nerves, and muscles in the
  human body.
• Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD)
  result when the job demands exceed the
  capabilities of the worker. WRMDs result over
  time and once developed often require therapy or
  in severe cases surgery.

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What Contributes to WRMDs ?

• High repetitious activities, like typing
• The force used to perform an activity
• Frequency and duration
• Insufficient rest
• Predisposed conditions

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Setting up your workstation

• Your workstation should be set up to ensure you
  can perform your job in a safe, efficient manner
• Consider your various work duties and organize
  your space according to the three work zones

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Work Zones

• Primary- Items used continuously, typically the
  keyboard and mouse.
• Secondary- Items used repeatedly, typically pens,
  telephone, reference materials.
• Tertiary- Items rarely used, often require
  reaching, twisting, or pulling to access.

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Adjusting your chair

• Familiarize yourself with all chair adjustments
  and how they work
• Height
• Seat pan
• Backrest
• Armrests

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Chair Height Adjustment

• Push hips as far back as they can go in chair.
• Adjust the seat height so feet are flat on floor
  and knees are equal to or slightly lower than
  hips.
• If the feet cannot be supported on the floor, a
  footrest should be provided.

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Chair Seat Pan Adjustment

• When sitting back in chair, make any adjustments
  to the seat pan (e.g., seat pan tilt) to reach a
  comfortable position.
• The seat pan should extend about an inch on both
  sides of your legs, and should not apply pressure
  to the back of your knees.
• The seat should be wide enough to allow easy
  entering and exiting of the chair without
  interference of armrest.

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Chair Backrest Adjustment

• Adjust the backrest height to a comfortable
  position.
• Adjust the lumbar support if you have one, or use
  a small lumbar support pillow or cushion.
• These adjustments should properly fit the curves
  of your back.

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Chair Armrest Adjustment

• Adjust the height of your armrests.
• Position them at a level where you can place your
  forearms on the armrests with your shoulders
  relaxed.
• Remove your armrests if they do not adjust and
  are in your way.

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Monitor Placement

• Ideal placement should be directly in front of
  you with a viewing distance of approximately
  20-40 inches to reduce eye strain.
• Position the height so the top line of text is at
  or slightly below eye level. If bifocals are
  worn placement should be even lower to prevent
  neck strain.
• Tilt the monitor so the top of the screen is
  further away and the lower portion closer.

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Keyboard Placement

• The keyboard should be placed inline with the
  monitor.
• You should have approximately a 90 angle in the
  elbow when using the keyboard.
• Wrists should be relatively straight

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Alternative Keyboards

• Some individuals prefer a split keyboard to a
  traditional model. A split keyboard separates
  the keys used by the left and right hand.
• This separation usually paired with an angle
  adjustment or curve can reduce ulnar deviation
  (angling outward) in the wrists.

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Input Device (mouse)

• Ensure the input device is immediately to the
  left or to the right of the keyboard.
• INCORRECT
  CORRECT

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Remember to Stretch

• Work rotation should occur periodically
  throughout the day
• During work rotation, users should be encouraged
  to stand, stretch, and move around. This provides
  rest and allows the muscles enough time to
  recover.

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Accessories

• If you perform data entry, a document holder
  should be used to decrease neck strain
• Place the telephone in the primary or secondary
  work zone, depending on usage patterns. This will
  minimize repeated reaching, reducing the
  possibility of injury.
• Use a "hands-free" head set if you intend to
  spend a lot of time on the phone. Speaker phone
  options may also be appropriate, provided the
  volume of this feature does not disturb your
  co-workers.

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Resources

• OSHA
• Computer Workstations (OSHA)
• Office Ergonomic Information
• Office Ergonomics Products, Software,
  Furniture Information
• Office Ergonomics Setup

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Additional Information

• Purchasing checklist
• Purchasing Guide Checklist
• Individual workstation checklist
• Worker Checklist
• To request an individual assessment of your
  workstation, please contact UK Occupational
  Health and Safety at 257-3862.

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Registration

• After completing class, please click here for
  inclusion to the training database