ErgonomicsErgonomics

Guide to Ergonomics at the Guide to Ergonomics at the University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota

U of MN Dept. of Environmental Health and SafetyU of MN Dept. of Environmental Health and Safety Copyright University of Minnesota - June, 1999Copyright University of Minnesota - June, 1999

Factors in Cumulative Factors in Cumulative TraumaTrauma

ForceForce RepetitionRepetition PosturePosture Exercise (fitness)Exercise (fitness) RestRest

Ergonomic ProgramsErgonomic Programs

Experiment with solutionsExperiment with solutions One solution does not fit allOne solution does not fit all Cooperation between supervisor Cooperation between supervisor

and employeesand employees Prevention Saves $ and improves Prevention Saves $ and improves

productivityproductivity

Workstation DesignWorkstation Design

Office/cubicle/lab bench layoutOffice/cubicle/lab bench layout Job functionsJob functions Symmetrical DesignSymmetrical Design Fits workerFits worker

ChairChair

Adjustable heightAdjustable height Back adjustment to support backBack adjustment to support back 5 leg base5 leg base Fits the person sitting it itFits the person sitting it it Arm rests placed slightly wider Arm rests placed slightly wider

than shoulder widththan shoulder width

PhonePhone

Hold phone with hand and do not Hold phone with hand and do not cradle with neckcradle with neck

Heavy phone use (2 hours + per day) :Heavy phone use (2 hours + per day) : Use speaker phone in private officeUse speaker phone in private office Use headset in open officeUse headset in open office Phone rest may help for use less than Phone rest may help for use less than

2 hours per day2 hours per day

Mouse (pointing device)Mouse (pointing device)

Should not stick (clean ball)Should not stick (clean ball) Should be close to the keyboardShould be close to the keyboard Try using on the left sideTry using on the left side Alternative pointing devices may Alternative pointing devices may

be needed because of space or be needed because of space or task considerationstask considerations

Laboratory ErgonomicsLaboratory Ergonomics

Microscope workMicroscope work PipettingPipetting HistologyHistology Work in biological safety cabinetsWork in biological safety cabinets Material handlingMaterial handling Adequate knee hole spaceAdequate knee hole space

Web siteWeb site

http://www.dehs.umn.edu/http://www.dehs.umn.edu/resources.html#Ergonomicsresources.html#Ergonomics

Ergonomic QuizErgonomic Quiz Office Ergonomic HomepageOffice Ergonomic Homepage

Office Ergonomic Home Office Ergonomic Home PagePage

Ergonomic product data baseErgonomic product data base Ergonomic linksErgonomic links U of MN contacts on ergonomics U of MN contacts on ergonomics

issuesissues Approved Workstation layouts - Approved Workstation layouts -

futurefuture

Ergonomic Product Ergonomic Product DatabaseDatabase

TAS ChairTAS Chair

• Price : $520.15. Price : $520.15. • Vendor : Pink Business InteriorsVendor : Pink Business Interiors• Brad Bruhn - Phone: 612-915-Brad Bruhn - Phone: 612-915-

31893189• Fax: 612-915-3121Fax: 612-915-3121• Email: brad.bruhn@pinkbi.com Email: brad.bruhn@pinkbi.com

Contact informationContact information

Neil Carlson - carls001@tc.umn.eduNeil Carlson - carls001@tc.umn.edu Greg Casura - casur001@tc.umn.eduGreg Casura - casur001@tc.umn.edu Erland Brager - Erland Brager -

brage001@tc.umn.edubrage001@tc.umn.edu

Ergonomic Showroom - W-162 Ergonomic Showroom - W-162 Boynton Health Service Boynton Health Service • Open Thursdays 10AM - NoonOpen Thursdays 10AM - Noon