8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
1/52
Office Ergonomics
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
2/52
Office Work &
Human/Computer Interactions
Work station design
Posture
Keyboards Software/human interactions
Human Behavior
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
3/52
Office Work &
Human/Computer Interactions
Early studies 1980s
Eye problems
Shoulder problems Lower back problems
Neck strain
Hand & wrist problems
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
4/52
Office Work &
Human/Computer Interactions
1991 study of 420 medicalsecretaries
63 % reported neck/shoulder pain
51% low back pain
30 % hand/wrist pain
15 % elbow pain
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
5/52
Whos At Risk?
Nearly everyone, but women report moreincidents of discomfort
Low motivation
Poor workstation design
Many short term studies, few long term orindependent studies.
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
6/52
Are some people at greater risk
than others?
Some researchers think so.
Studies quoted on Cornells ergo web site
link repetitive motion injuries to
Working with the wrists in deviated postures for any
reason: causes compression of the median nerve
Static postures, especially using a pinch grip to holdsomething in place
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
7/52
Some studies have shown greater risks for people
who are Pregnant
Obese
Lack general physical capabilities, such asstrength
People who feel as if they lack control over workpace, environment, and communication
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
8/52
Prevention is crucial to Cost
Containment
Evaluate all contributing factors
=Hazard Identification
EnvironmentEnvironment
WorkersWorkers Equipment/MaterialsEquipment/Materials
Task/ProcessesTask/Processes
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
9/52
Hazard Prevention
Neutral positioning
Workstation design
Work/rest periods
Task rotation
Exercise
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
10/52
What is neutral positioning?
Non-stressed postures
Relaxed, right angles at
Knees, hips and elbows Wrists straight rather than flexed (down) or
extended (up)
Lower and upper back supported
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
11/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
12/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
13/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
14/52
Computer Workstations
Key ElementsKey Elements
Good Working PositionsGood Working Positions
Work ProcessWork ProcessWorkstation EnvironmentWorkstation Environment
Workstation ComponentsWorkstation Components
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
15/52
Good Working Postures
Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and
roughly parallel to the floor.
Head is level, or bent slightly forward, forward facing, and
balanced. Generally it is in-line with the torso.
Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally atthe side of the body.
Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90
and 120 degrees.
Feet are fully supported by floor or footrest.
Backis fully supported with appropriate lumbar support
when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly.
Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and
generally parallel to the floor.
Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feetslightly forward.
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
16/52
WorkProcess
Task Organization
Impacts repetition
Prolonged periods of activity
Medical awareness & training
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
17/52
Work Environment
Lighting
Glare
Ventilation Noise
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
18/52
Workstation Design
Chairs
Monitors
Keyboards
Pointer/Mouse Wrist/Palm Support
Document Holders
Desks
Telephones Footrests
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
19/52
Elements of good work
station design
Adjustable chairs
Keyboard height and angle
Avoid sharp edges
Monitor height and angle Glare, poor contrast, etc. are risk factors
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
20/52
Chairs
Ideas about correct posture go back to 1884
Upright vs. backward leaning, pressure ondisks, lower back
Chair provides support for upper and lowerback
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
21/52
Need to be adjustable in many differentdirections
Height
Tilt of seat pan Angle of back
Provide lumbar support
Adjustable arms
Capacity, seat width
Chairs
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
22/52
Ergonomic Chairs
Chair Specifications
Seat Height
Backrest
Seat Size
10 Standard Adjustments
Pneumatic Seat Height
Seat Angle or Tilt
Seat Angle Tension Control
Backrest AngleBackrest Height
Backrest Depth
Inflatable Lumbar
Armrest Height
Armrest Rotation/Swivel
Armrest Width
Small Seat
Minimal Contour
Seat Height: 16.5" - 21.5"
Backrest: 19.5"W x 22.5"HSeat Size: 19"W x 17"D
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
23/52
Ergonomic Chairs
Chair Specifications
Seat
Height
Backrest
Seat Size
18" - 23"
24"W x
26"H
26"W x
21"D
Chair Specifications
Seat
Height
Backrest
Seat Size
16.5" - 21.5"
19.5"W x
22.5"H
22.5"W x 17"D
Deep Contoured Seat, KneeTilt Available Big & Tall
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
24/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
25/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
26/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
27/52
Monitors
Viewing Distance: 20-40
Viewing Angle: 15-20 degrees
below horizontal
Viewing Time
Viewing Clarity
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
28/52
Keyboards
The objective is to keep the hands and wrists in as
neutral a position as possible
Adjustments, may include tilting or not tilting the
keyboard, wrist rests in front of the keyboard, andrepositioning the entire body
Alternative shapes of keyboards may help: Split
Tented/Angled
Negative Slope
Supportive
Scooped Keep in mind
Keyboard Placement Height & Distance
Design & Use
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
29/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
30/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
31/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
32/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
33/52
Pointer/Mouse Interactions
For CAD operators
Thumb and forefinger problems
Change kind of mouse Thumb joint pain, switch to Uniballor
three-finger mouse
Keep in mind
Pointer Placement
Pointer Size, Shape, & Settings
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
34/52
Wrist/Palm Supports
In general, research supports the idea of resting thehands on some kind of a surface during keying pauses.
The use of wrist rests has been associated with reduced
muscle activity in the arms and shoulders, straighterwrist postures, comfort, and preference.
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
35/52
Wrist/Palm Supports
Some research suggests that wrist rest users sit in a somewhatmore reclined posture than people without wrist rests, which isknown to be comfortable and healthy for the back
However, wrist rests are not without potential problems
Caution
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
36/52
Wrist/Palm Supports
Not all studies of wrist rests show positiveeffects
Use of wrist rest causes the fluid pressure in the carpaltunnel to rise, sometimes significantly
Use of convex wrist rests, which concentrate pressurein a small area, are less desirable than broad, flat ones
Benign cysts apparently have been caused by constantpressure on the wrist
Typists should use them during keying pauses,not during keying, in order to have free handand arm movement and to reduce the amountof time the wrist is compressed
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
37/52
Document Holder
Are designed to minimize eye and neckmovement by keeping your documents at theproper viewing level
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
38/52
Desks
Work Surface Depth
Location of Frequently Used Devices Should beLocated in Repetitive Access Zone
Recommended Zones for Workplace Components
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
39/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
40/52
Telephones
Head sets can help avoid neck andshoulder strain for telephone use.
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
41/52
Footrests
Reduces leg strain and promotescirculation
Reduces strain on lower back
Should position your knees to roughly a90 degree angle
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
42/52
Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
43/52
Work/rest periods
An element of a goodAn element of a goodprevention strategyprevention strategy
Provide regular breaks by inserting a different kindof task into the routine
Some studies recommend 5 minutes of rest per hourof typing
Other studies recommend 15 minutes of rest perfour hours of work.
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
44/52
Task Rotation
Alternate other kinds of office tasks,such as filing, copying
Caution: May be just as repetitive as typingand use the same motions and muscles
However, more productive and feel less like
an interruption than just a break
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
45/52
Task Rotation & Breaks
Some companies have actually installedsoftware that shuts down the system forregular breaks
Other companies have organized or signaledbreaks
These can be aggravating, as they interrupt atask in progress
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
46/52
Eye Strain
Eyestrain is the most common complaintfrom computer users
Intensive use Software Interactions
Inadequate or detrimental lighting andmonitor conditions Distance to monitor
Ambient lighting
Glare
Pre-existing eye conditions, including thoseyou may not be aware of
Stress
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
47/52
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
48/52
A study conducted by Cornell UniversityA study conducted by Cornell University
Showed that there was an increase in the numberof cases of repetitive stress injuries after new and
hard to use software was introduced
Especially if there were multiple screens or fieldson the monitor simultaneously
Eye Strain
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
49/52
Prevention
Task rotation
Get a professional eye examination
Control the lights & the monitor
Enough light on documents
Eliminate glare
Rearrange the workstation
Anti-glare screen
Eye Strain
S l i Offi E i
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
50/52
Solving Office Ergonomic
Problems
Evaluate non-work stressors
Evaluate work stressors Use checklists
Use workers compensation claim data
Use personal interviews/discomfort surveys Conduct job safety analysis
Observation
Measurements
Implement solutions
ProvideEmployee Training
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
51/52
Analyze a problem job
Think about the role behavior plays in ensuringproper use and comfort.
A claim of ergonomic designwill not ensure
improved use or comfort, (or reduced risk factors) ifbehaviors have been ignored
For instance, if workers will not use the new tool, it
cannot reduce the risk
8/8/2019 Office Ergonomics 2005
52/52
Questions?Questions?
Top Related