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LGC Shadow Title Master.pot. Workplace Ergonomics. Presentation Objectives participants will be able to. Understand basic concepts of ergonomics Identify common musculoskeletal injury risks Learn strategies to decrease MSD injury risks Address questions on ergonomics and back safety.
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LGC Shadow Title Master.pot Workplace Ergonomics
Presentation Objectivesparticipants will be able to... • Understand basic concepts of ergonomics • Identify common musculoskeletal injury risks • Learn strategies to decrease MSD injury risks • Address questions on ergonomics and back safety
Ergonomics“Study of Work” “The science of fitting the job to the worker” “ergo” = work “nomics” = study of
Job Risk Factors • Working in awkward postures / positions • Prolonged sitting and standing • Bending, reaching, stretching • Driving for extended periods of time • Heavy lifting • Awkward lifting • Lifting in combination with twisting • Pushing, pulling, carrying • Accidents, slips, trips, falls • Vibration
Awkward postures Static positions Reaching Bending & Lifting Force Repetition Contact stress Vibration Repetition Goals of Ergonomics Program… Reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders developed by workers when their jobs involve... U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration
What are MusculoSkeletal Disorders? MSDs are injuries and illnesses that affect muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints or spinal discs. U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Common Body Parts Prone To Workplace MSDs • Back - Lower • Neck and Upper Back • Upper Extremities - Arms and Hands • Lower Extremities - Legs and Feet
Examples of MSDs • Carpal tunnel • Rotator cuff syndrome • Lateral epicondylitis - tennis elbow • Low back pain
Decreased ROM Decreased grip and/or pinch strength Swelling Fatigue Loss of function Numbness Burning sensation Tingling Pain Cramping Stiffness Musculoskeletal Disorders:Signs and Symptomsin general… French & Zecha, 2005
Musculoskeletal Disorders: How & Why? • Related to intensity of work • Have biomechanical and physiological factors • Can occur after weeks, months, years on job • Can take weeks, months, years to resolve • Have occupational and non occupational causes French & Zecha, 2005
Musculoskeletal Disorders: How & Why? listening to our body… • Disruption in balance between breakdown and recovery • 1st sx….fatigue (of body part) • 2nd sx…ache • 3rd sx…pain • Leading to loss of function French & Zecha, 2005
Adapt Soft tissue remodels More strength More stability More endurance Discomfort decreases Injury Soft tissue breaks down Less strength Less stability Less tolerance for use Discomfort increases Adaptation vs. Injurythe fork in the road… French & Zecha, 2005
Part Two… Some Ergonomic Risk Factor Concerns
Introducing our 2nd focus area for today… • Back care • Posture • Contact stress • Repetition
Posture check: reaching & bendingit’s all connected and it’s all about physics… • Load & leverage • 10# vs. 70# low back • 15# vs. 45# head & neck • Think about posture • Forward head • Sitting • Reaching Demo!
PostureThink of posture in terms of joint position Static and awkward postures lead to: • Decreased movement • Decreased circulation • Increased stress and fatigue
Posture checkIncreased stress, decreased circulation… Higher risk Lower risk
Posture checkask yourself… Do you use a headset rather than cradling the telephone between your head and shoulder?
Posture checkask yourself… • Are you sitting against the back of your chair while you work? • Is your head/neck upright and centered over your shoulders when you look at the screen or documents? • Are your shoulders relaxed when keying and using the mouse? • Are your arms close by your sides when you use the keyboard or pointer?
Posture checkask yourself… • Are your elbows relaxed (100 degree angle) when using the keyboard or mouse? • Are your wrists in a neutral position (aligned with your forearm) when keying or using the pointer? • Are you avoiding awkward postures such as an extended finger or thumb when keying or using the mouse?
Equipment set-up examplerisk identification… Elbow and shoulder away from body, reaching increased strain on shoulder and wrist
Equipment set-up examplerisk identification… Elbow and shoulder more relaxed and closer to body decreased strain on shoulder and wrist
Equipment set-up examplerisk identification… Posture:keeping it straight! Forward placement of document holders and monitor prevents excessive turning and bending stress in neck, upper back and torso
A word on repetition • Key issue is recovery time - the time required for tissue to restore nutrition, replace cells, dissipate byproducts - rest breaks • Some newer research demonstrates that repetition is significantly less of a problem vs. posture
A word on contact stress At your workstation notice where your body comes into contact with objects… • Where are your: • Front & back of knees • Elbows • Wrists • Back • Behind • Calves, feet, ankles
Part Three… Workstation equipment use and set-up!
Is my “ergonomic” potato chip really ergonomic? • To be ergonomic a design must… • Fit the user • Be easy to use • Improve comfort • Improve performance • Improve health and safety • Not just bells and whistles!
Chair Monitor Keyboard Mouse Document holders Lumbar pads/pillows Arm rests Glare Eye strain Footrests Wrists pads Keyboard trays Laptops Computer workstation ergonomics
Chair Basics • Good lumbar (low back) support • Comfortable sitting for at least 2 hours • Chair has 5 point base • Adjustable arm rests (or none) • Seat pan is comfortable • Easily adjustable while sitting • Appropriate height & depth of seat pan
Monitor issues and glareprotect your eyes ! • Eye-to-screen distance at least 18 inches • Top of screen at eye level or slightly below • Don’t stare…blink frequently to lubricate eyes • Use blinds to control outside light • Screen colors: dark letters on light background (IBM blue)
Work techniqueask yourself… • Do you avoid leaning on the wrist rest while keying and mousing? • Are you using a light touch to key? • Are you holding your mouse loosely with your hand and fingers in a relaxed position? • Do you let go of the mouse when not using it? • Do you take 20 second breaks after every 20 minutes of keying?
Work techniqueask yourself… • Do you take eye breaks and look at a distance every 20 minutes? • Do you blink while you look at the screen? • Do you take stretch breaks throughout the day? • Have you set up your work to encourage alternating sitting and standing throughout the day? • Have you optimized your settings on your computer to make your work easier? (i.e. flicker rate, mouse speed, font size) • Do you know how to adjust your keyboard tray and chair?
Laptopsa few words… • Risk Reduction Measures • External keyboards • Docking stations • Practice good posture on road Risk Factors • Harder on eyes and neck • Smaller screens • Lower quality displays • Lower viewing angle • Harder on wrists on arms • Narrow keyboard • Awkward postures • Harder on back • Carrying can strain back
Back Safety & Ergonomics isn’t just a work thing!The big picture…
Ergonomics isn’t just a work thing! think “physics & leverage” working around home… • Washing dishes, pots & pans • Carrying and loading groceries • Picking up and carrying kids • Walking the dog • Yard work • Raking, shoveling, sweeping • Lawn mowing, snow removal • Wheel barrels
Ergonomics isn’t just a work thing! think of driving your car… • Elbow resting on door, center console • Wrist over steering wheel • Buttock and back pain • Posture • Nerve and tissue compression • Position of legs while driving • Muscle strain: hamstring tightness • Decreased circulation • Upper neck/back tension and pain • Muscle strain:upper trapezius • Stress reactions, trigger points • Eye strain • Glare • Dehydration
Ergonomics isn’t just a work thing! think of sleeping in your bed… • Neck posture • Shoulder and arm posture • Wrist posture • Knee and hip posture • Back posture For long periods of time: static and awkward positions, decreased circulation, increased compression!
Ergonomics…there is no magic solution…we are all unique in certain ways • Age • Gender • Anthropometrics – Body Size & Shape • Equipment accommodates 5th% female to 95th% male • Skill Level • General Health and Condition
Back Injury… From an Ergonomic View
Common Back Disorders • General joint stiffness • Acute strains and sprains • Degenerative disk disease • Bulging disc • Herniated disc • Osteoarthritis
Anatomy Review…the spine • Bones • Joints • Discs • Muscles and ligaments • Nerves