1 / 23

David Annett Registered Ergonomist & Osteopath ergotherapy.co.uk

An ergonomic approach Prevention versus Cure Harrogate 19 th June 2013. David Annett Registered Ergonomist & Osteopath www.ergotherapy.co.uk. Effects of Poor Ergonomics.

merle
Download Presentation

David Annett Registered Ergonomist & Osteopath ergotherapy.co.uk

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. An ergonomic approach Prevention versus Cure Harrogate 19th June 2013 David Annett Registered Ergonomist & Osteopath www.ergotherapy.co.uk

  2. Effects of Poor Ergonomics In many cases, humans can adapt to unsuitable conditions, but such adaptation often leads to inefficiency, errors, unacceptable stress, and physical or mental cost.

  3. Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 (amended in 2002) VDU = Video Display Unit

  4. References • Working with VDUs ISBN 0717615049 • Free single copies from HSE and free download • VDUs an Easy Guide to the Regulations ISBN 0717607356 • HSE Books - free download • Display Screen Equipment Work - Guidance on RegulationsISBN 0 7176 04101 • HSE Books – free download

  5. Employer Requirements • Minimum requirements for equipment • Information/training about risks and how to avoid them • Workstation assessment • Provide eye test

  6. Mechanisms of Injury • Cumulative Nature • Postural • Joint end of range • Static Muscle Loading • Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

  7. Back Pain Statistics • Almost half the adult population of the UK (49%) report low back pain lasting for at least 24 hours at some time in the year. • It is estimated that four out of every five adults (80%) will experience back pain at some stage in their life. • Palmer KT, Walsh K, et al. Back pain in Britain: comparison of two prevalence surveys at an interval of 10 years BMJ 2000;320:1577-1578.

  8. Back Pain Diagnosis • In most cases it is very difficult to identify a single cause for back pain. In about 85% of back pain sufferers no clear pathology can be identified. • Nachemson AL, Waddell G, Norlund AI. Epidemiology of neck and low back pain. In: Nachemson AL & Jonsson E (eds). Neck and back pain: The scientific evidence of causes, diagnosis and treatment. Philadelphia: Lippencott Williams & Wilkins, 2000.

  9. Disc Pressure with Posture

  10. Cost of Injury • Absenteeism • Presenteeism • Litigation

  11. Workstation Elements • Chair • Desk • Keyboard • Mouse • Monitor • Paperwork • Files and Manual Handling • Telephone • Environment

  12. Basic pointers for workstation setup

  13. Rest Breaks • Breaks away from the screen • Eye Breaks (20-20-20 rule) • Software – e.g CtrlWORK • Avoid lunch at desks • Office Culture – “Wellbeing” • Corporate gym membership • Showers for runners and cyclists!

  14. Chair Tips • Don’t order chairs from a picture online or in a catalogue. • Try before you buy. • One size does not fit all - get decent adjustments including seat slide, seat height at least 55cm. • Avoid ‘Executive Chairs’ • Arms can cause more harm than good. • Remind staff how to adjust chairs. • Castors – hard or soft floor?

  15. Desk Tips • Avoid large supporting bars on underside of desk, which can get in the way. • Desk shape should be chosen for function not aesthetic. • Radiused front edge and thin desk profile. • Cable management – easy access to plugs. • Try before you buy. • Consider sit-stand desks.

  16. Hot Desking • Ease of adjustment of workstation e.g. monitor arms • Availability of accessories such as copy holders and footrests. • Personal Storage • Specialist Equipment Storage • Workstation Assessment?

  17. Home Working • Availability of suitable desk and chair? • Laptop solutions • Support from work • Too many or too few distractions? • Workstation Assessment?

  18. Mobile Working • Laptops • Docking stations • Laptop stands • Plug in monitor • Netbooks & Tablets – screen too small and low for prolonged use. • Smart Phones • Hands free

  19. Specialist Equipment Examples • Split keyboard for ‘large’ client • FlexDesk for regular paper reference • Vertical mouse for “RSI” type injuries • Chair with locking swivel & castors for wheelchair transfer www.lundia.co.uk www.lundia.co.uk www.lundia.co.uk www.asd.co.uk

  20. Access to Work • Assistance for ALL companies. • It is provided where an individual requires support or adaptations beyond the reasonable adjustments which an employer is legally obliged to provide under the Equality Act. • www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview Mary Dunleavy – Access to Work

  21. Driving Posture Checklist for drivers seat setup and other driving tips: www.drivingergonomics.lboro.ac.uk See under “Links and Downloads”

  22. Top Tips • Training is key to engaging staff into improving their working behaviour and workstation setup. • No “laptop only” users in the normal office environment. • With a standard height desk, most people under 5ft 6in tall will need a footrest to achieve a good posture. • Decent assessments for all – rather than just for those who report an injury. Prevention is better than cure!

  23. David Annett david@ergotherapy.co.uk 07957 542341 www.ergotherapy.co.uk

More Related