OFFICE ERGONOMICS

1. OFFICE ERGONOMICS • UNC - Charlotte • Safety and Environmental Health Department • King Building – 1st Floor

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES • Understand the definition of ergonomics • Understand Primary Causes of Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs). • Understand ways to prevent CTDs • Learn about PC workstation accessories to reduce computer work stress • Basic exercises to reduce / relieve ergo-stress.

3. DEFINITION • ERGONOMICS is a way of working smarter--not harder by designing tools, equipment, work stations and tasks that allow a job to fit the worker and NOT by fitting the worker to the job: • Layout / type of controls & displays • Lighting & Temperature • Process (Heights, reaches, weights)

4. WHY WORRY ? • Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are fastest-growing injury/illness category (accounting for over 1.8 million annual lost workday cases in 1997 BLS stats). • Up 600% over last 11 years • $13 to 20 billion total injury cost / year & average $29 K / case compensation claim cost • More lost workdays for Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI’s) (avg = 30 days for a Carpal Tunnel injury)

5. MSD INJURY DATA • 600,000 MSDs require time off from work. • Women suffer more ergonomic injuries due to: • jobs requiring more heavy lifting, repetitive movement while completing tasks and awkward postures and as a result account for: • 70% of Carpal Tunnel • 62% of Tendonitis

6. CAR COST IS (PARTIALLY)--A PAIN IN THE BACK !! • According to Dr. E.W. Simmons, president of the American Back Society, medical costs related to back injuries can add up to $1,800 to the price of every car made in Detroit!

7. CTD INJURY FACTORS • CTD Injuries cause Lesions to tendons of the neck, back, shoulders, arms, wrists or hands • Primary causes: • Repetitive movements over long periods of time • Awkward postures • Use of excessive forces

8. CTD RISK CONTROL: POSTURE • NEUTRAL & COMFORTABLE: • Wrists straight • Shoulders relaxed with elbows close to body • head / shoulders & back in vertical alignment • Feet flat on floor • Frequent breaks when bent postures can’t be avoided

9. ERGONOMIC ALIGNMENT • Proper tool alignment illustrated – note wrist and elbow positioning

10. CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME • Up to 15% occurrence rate in certain industries. • A natural occurrence with repetitive motion of hands & wrists -- especially with high force levels and awkward wrist positioning. • Proper keyboard positioning and good wrist support can help most PC users avoid problems • GOOD NEWS: rates have dropped about 30% since 1990 -- which most attribute to strong workplace ergonomics programs

11. CTD RISK CONTROL: REPETITION • Use automatic tools for repetitive tasks (screw and bolt tightening) • Eliminate unnecessary tasks / movements by redesigning maintenance procedures and workstations • Take short, frequent breaks • Alternate tasks and processes to use different muscle groups

12. ERGONOMICS SUMMARY • Good ergonomic design of tools, processes and furniture can markedly improve personnel comfort, health, morale, and productivity. • Individual effort as part of a departmental workshop team is the greatest means of identifying / improving workplace ergonomic issues. • It’s critical to seek prompt medical aid for symptoms of ergonomic stress / CTDs.

13. Computer Ergonomics • Routine PC user is defined as a person spending 20 hours or more per week working at a computer. • Studies of PC users have not shown a risk of eye damage...although fatigue is quite possible during extended usage. • NIOSH studies have not indicated a radiation hazard nor pregnancy risk from PC usage. • Workers using bi/tri-focal glasses that use a PC may need special purpose glasses for computer work that keep eyes/head on level plane.

14. ERGONOMIC KEYBOARDS • Three types: Fixed split, Adjustable split & “Sculptured” • Awkward wrist postures minimized with 15 to 25 horizontal degree key split AND 8 to 66 degree vertical incline. • Key Layout Design Changes Have: • increased comfort (81% of users) • improved postures • reduced muscle activity • lowered carpal tunnel pressure in lab settings • Obtained primarily to alleviate an injury

15. WRIST RESTS • No medical evidence that they reduce RSI injuries. They work for some, but not for others • Usage Guidelines: • Buy rest that is even with top of keyboard • Material should be “medium-soft” (foam--gel mix) so foam doesn’t break down. AVOID hard plastic types • DON’T leave wrists on rest...which compresses carpal tunnel. Palm rest instead. • Changing typing habits more critical than wrist support • MOST APPROPRIATELY USED TO REST HANDS DURING PAUSE IN TYPING • LEARN TO TYPE CORRECTLY WITH “FLOATING WRISTS” FIRST!!!

16. Ergonomic chairs • Adjustable back height • Adjustable arm rests • Adjustable Seat Pan Tilt and Height to accommodate user body type • Note: Chair on left is NOT ergonomically designed – it is equipped with fixed arm rests and non-adjustable back and seat pan height

17. Alternative Pointing Devices • Track-balls • “Scrolling” Mouse

18. Other Ergonomic PC Accessories • Height-adjustable articulating keyboard tray – controls height and tilt adjustments, allows proper keyboard positioning for many different body types. • 3M model AKT 100 shown above is a good example of a well made keyboard tray.

19. Ergonomically Incorrect PC Station Design

20. Ergonomically Correct PC Station Design

21. Model Computer Workstation • Keyboard trays WITH wrist support. • Split "Natural" keyboards to facilitate neutral wrist angle • Fully adjustable ergonomic chair • Document holder to minimize head / eye & neck movements • Corner desk units to position monitor directly in front of employee • Foot rest where requested. • Re-organization of working materials within employee arm reach. • Alternative pointing devices (e.g., scrolling mouse or trackball devices

22. Ergonomic Evaluation

23. Questions ??... Contact S & EH • Workplace ergonomic assessments will be provided by Safety and Environmental Health Dept upon request. • S, & EH phone extension – 4279 • HAVE A SAFE AND HEALTHY DAY