OFFICE ERGONOMICS WorkWell System, Inc

1. OFFICE ERGONOMICSWorkWell System, Inc

2. Defining ergonomics • Ergonomics is the science of fitting jobs to people who work in them. • Goal: • Increase worker comfort • Prevent injuries

3. Fitting workers to the workErgonomic analysis – based on each individual

4. Office worker’s injuries • One time physical incident • Tripping, falling, being struck by an object • Cumulative trauma or MSD (musculoskeletal disorders) • Injuries that occur over time. • Contributing Factors: • Ergonomic risk factors • Worker habits • Other factors

5. Examples of MSDs • Back or neck pain • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Tendinitis • Rotator Cuff syndrome • Tennis elbow • Lower Extremity Pain

6. It can be confusing!Warning signs

7. Warning signs of CTD / MSD • Pain • Fatigue or lack of endurance • Weakness of hands/forearms • Tingling - Numbness - Loss of sensation • Heaviness or clumsiness • Stiffness • Lack of control or coordination • Cold hands

8. How does this occur? • The effects accumulate over time • Stretched tendons and contracting muscles compress the nerves and blood supply and cause inflammation • Repetitions can cause frictional damage to tendons • Decrease recovery time means inflammation does not resolve • Awkward postures puts pressure on muscles, nerves and blood vessels

9. Factors that might contribute • Previous history of a MSD • Double-jointed or long finger nails • Finger joints tend to “collapse” when striking keys • Finger nails create a change in the way you type • Obesity • Changes forearm and wrist position to access the keyboard • Increases forces on bones, joints, muscles • Slenderness • Lack of muscle mass to support work requirements • Sex • Females: smaller muscle mass, pregnancy, fluid retention

10. Other contributing factors • Diseases • Arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid or kidney diseases • Drugs • Oral contraceptives, blood pressure meds may cause water retention. Smoking and alcohol consumption can affect CTD

11. Bad News- Physical Changes Loss of muscle mass Between age 20 & 80 = 35 to 40% Loss of flexibility Arthritic changes (pain / stiffness) Vision changes Hearing loss Decreased ability to multi-task Good News – Experience Counts Learn to work smarter Experience and maturity is a company asset Understand affects of aging includes stiffness / pain People skills improved Balance in lifestyle Affects of aging

12. What is your response? • How you respond to symptoms affects either the progression or prevention of injury • Report symptoms early so efforts are directed toward prevention instead of developing a problem. • Be aware of what contributes to the symptoms at work AND at home

13. Behavioral Influences

14. Behavior and MSD • Macho attitude about pain • Work through it rather then recover or modify • Driven behavior – “type A” • speed, repetitions lack of recovery time. • Shyness • does not ask for help, equipment, or report pain • Corporate pressures • work pace, breaks, overtime

15. Ergonomic Risk Factors • Repetitions • Forces • Awkward postures • Vibration - direct contact trauma • Temperature

16. Repetition • Word processing • Hour after hour without rest periods or adequate recovery time • Repetitions combined with other risk factors = increased risk of MSD

17. Sitting posture Creates “static loading” when sitting for prolonged periods Unsupported back or slouching are stressful postures Position of monitor can create neck and upper back pain Unsupported arms Correct Sitting Posture Postures

18. Awkward Postures • Places additional stress on muscles, tendons and ligaments • Poor sitting posture • Sitting with legs crossed or perched on the chair base • Head tilted –not in-line with monitor • Wrists position

19. Direct Pressure • Places pressure on muscles, nerves and blood supply. Can cause pain, numbness and tingling • Resting on elbows • Pressure on wrists • Crossing legs • Chair pressure

20. Force • Force considerations include: • Amount of weight • Size of object • Distance for lifts, carry or reaching • Static forces • Prolonged positions • Reach & Hold

21. Office ErgonomicsWorkstation Evaluation

22. You are in charge!

23. Office Ergonomics • Workstation considerations • Chair • Keyboard • Desk height • Desk organization • Lights • Support equipment: copy holder, wrist rests, task lighting, footrest, etc.

24. Adjust your chair Slide hips to the back of the chair Sit with low back supported Shoulder blades touch the back rest Hips at 90 degrees Knees slightly lower than hips Feet flat on floor or on foot rest Review your Workstation

25. A note about chairs • Most chairs provide many adjustments • Take time to adjust • Recheck adjustments if others use your chair • Even the best of chairs require • Good posture • Frequent short stretch breaks • Proper heights and adjustments

26. Define a Mini break? • Get up and move, but be conscious of time

27. Workstation • Forearms parallel to keyboard. • Mouse is next to your keyboard • Eliminate long reaches • Monitor in line with the keyboard and chair • Reduce clutter

28. Provide adequate work space

29. Your work zones

30. Monitor • General rule: Top inch on the computer screen is horizontal with resting eye position. New studies show viewing area between 15 - 50 degrees below horizontal eye level (especially for those over age 40)

31. Monitor • Keep monitor directly in front of you and in line with keyboard and chair • Tilt screen top back • Screen colors: dark print on light backgrounds • Older workers use bigger fonts

32. Keyboards • Elbow height horizontal to home row (A row) • How to adjust: • raise chair and bring in foot rest • lower keyboards with a tray • mouse needs to be next to keyboard • Provide a wrist rest area • Alternative keyboards- • No conclusive evidence of stress relief

33. Examples

34. Wrist Rests • Used to provide support during pauses in typing (at rest) • Elevation of wrist rest helps preserve neutral wrist postures during typing • Depth should be about 2” • Should have soft - supportive materials

35. Mouse • Keep in line with keyboard • No reaching • Lots of mouse options • Wrist rest

36. Control Glare

37. Lighting • Place Monitor at right angles to windows • Windows or bright lights behind worker = reflective glare • Windows or bright lights in front of worker = direct glare • Use task lighting if needed • Anti-glare screens, tilting monitor, window treatments

38. Office Arrangements • Allow for clearance between chairs • Keep drawers closed • Aisles should be clear for quick egress • Keep electrical cords out of sight and out of pathways

39. It can be a challenge

40. Other office tips • Phone • Don’t cradle the phone • Placement matters • Use of head set if appropriate • Pinch grips • Increase diameter of pens/pencils to decrease writer cramp • Keyboard, mouse or calculator wrist rests • Many options including wrist rest glove • Foot rest to alternate positions

41. Identify the problem Cradling phone Direct pressure on elbow Tilted head posture

42. Is there a need? Call center or phone receptionist – use of head phones In line – document holder

43. Final check point • Back is supported • Feet flat on floor • Knees and elbows 90/90 • Space behind knees • Forearms horizontal to floor • Wrist in neutral, mouse near keyboard • Monitor • height horizontal or below resting eye level • In line with your chair and keyboard

44. “Ergonomic” labels are often times marketing tools Expensive does not mean better What is a must for some is not necessary for others “Ergonomic” products

45. Correlation of pain with possible causes

46. Individual uniqueness

47. Back pain - causes • Chair not adjusted • Legs crossed while working • Seat too low • Seat too high • Seat pan size • Too small • Too deep • Duration of sitting

48. Neck and Shoulder Pain • Monitor location • Distance from copy and screen • Keyboard too far away (or mouse) • Keyboard too high • Task duration • Back support

49. The difference correct adjustments make!!

50. Hand and Wrist Pain • Keyboard too high or chair too low • Shoulders shrugged, wrists bent • Wrists resting on edges • Wrists resting while typing • Mouse location • Task duration