Office Ergonomics. Presented by: Samar Khalil, Environmental & Chemical Safety Officer

Transcription

1 Office Ergonomics Presented by: Samar Khalil, Environmental & Chemical Safety Officer

2 Objectives Define Ergonomics & MSDs Identify Ergonomic risk factors Recognize MSD symptoms Set up workstations to minimize risk and strain Perform tasks safely and avoid illnesses and injuries

3 What is Ergonomics & Why is it Important to You?

4 What is Ergonomics & Why is it Important to You? Reduce Injuries & Illnesses

5 Importance of Ergonomics MSDs related to workplace ergonomic concerns accounted for 33 percent of lost day workplace injuries and illnesses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in Ergonomics Ranks # 3 Of the Top Five Causes of Injury and Illness at US National Institute of Health. Repetitive motion injuries resulted in 22 lost workdays totaling 626,000 days away from work. Total costs are estimated to be $120 billion (includes lost productivity, hiring new workers, etc). Ergonomic Related Injuries 24% 1% 75% Office setting Laboratory & Clinical areas Other settings

6 What are MSDs Injuries or disorders involving: Muscles Tendons & ligaments Joints Cartilage Blood vessels Nerves

7 Types of MSDs Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Tendonitis & Tenosynovitis Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

8 Types of MSDs Wrist Ganglion Trigger Finger Back Injuries Other issues related to eyestrain and headaches are common.

9 What are the Risk Factors? Repetition task or series of motions performed over & over. Forceful Exertions - amount of physical effort required to complete task. Awkward Postures - reaching, twisting, bending, holding fixed positions. Contact Stress localized pressure exerted against the skin by external force.

10 Repetition If you find yourself doing a job task over and over, you should take adequate breaks from the repetitive motion. This means: Get up and move around (move your printer to a location where you have to get up.) During a break - roll your wrist and hands, this will help if you ve been typing for a long time. Try to vary your tasks as much as possible so you aren t in a position where you have to keep doing repetitive motions.

11 Forceful Exertion To minimize forceful exertion - do not type with much force, use as light a touch as possible. With everything we pick up, or push against, we should try and do it with as little force as possible. This means no pounding the keyboard!!

12 Awkward Posture The location of the telephone may cause you to have an awkward posture that you may not be aware of.. Make sure your telephone is within easy reach. Make sure you do not have to twist (awkward posture) at the waist to reach the phone.

13 Contact Stress There are a couple of places you may feel contact stress: If you are resting your wrist on a sharp edge you are creating a contact stress. To fix - do not rest your wrists on anything that will leave an indent mark on your skin. If the chair you are sitting in has a seat pan that pushes against the back of your knees you are experiencing a contact stress. You may need to get a chair with a sliding seat pan to give you enough room between the edge of the seat and the back of your knees.

14 How to Minimize Ergonomics Risks and Strains?

15 Computer Workstation: Head & Shoulders Head vertical and facing forward Tilted head puts stress on neck and shoulders Minimize head rotation Shoulders relaxed Arms tucked close to body No extended reaching

16 Computer Workstation: Elbows & Wrists Elbows relaxed and close to the body Elbows not extended forward or backward Wrists in a straight line with lower arms Hands not flexed up or down, or bent inward or outward

17 Computer Workstation: Legs & Feet Knees bent about 90 degrees Thighs parallel to floor Chair at a comfortable height Obstructions removed Feet flat on the floor or on a footrest

18 Basic Components of an Office Chair Keyboard/Mouse Monitor Lighting

19 Chairs Comfortable Slightly wider than hips/thighs Proper length Adjustable height Adjustable tilt Backrest with adjustable angle and lumbar support Armrest broad and cushioned to support shoulders, elbows & wrists Armrests independently adjustable in height and side to side

20 Chairs Armrest Should support forearms but not interfere with movement. Forearms should rest lightly so as not to cause circulatory problems. Don't use armrests to slouch. Seat Pan The user s knees need to be approximately 2 (5cm) from the seat pan. If too short the seat pan does not provide enough support for the legs. If too long and applies uncomfortable pressure to the back of the legs it can impede circulation.

21 Keyboards and Mice Mouse should be placed adjacent to keyboard and at the same height as the keyboard. Adjust keyboard height so shoulders can relax and allow arms to rest at sides. Keyboard should be close to the user to avoid excessive reaching. Forearms parallel to the floor.

22 Mouse

23 Monitor Top of viewing screen should be at eye level Should be approx. arms length away Directly in front of user Flat or slightly tilted back Clean Avoid glare Increase font on screen (use a magnifying screen if necessary)

24 Lighting Good light distribution Use blinds to eliminate bright light Indirect lighting system

25 Other Ergonomic Accessories Footrest Glare Screens Screen Magnifiers Document Holders Telephone Headsets

26 Document Holder

27 Office Furniture

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29 Recommendations Conduct Risk Assessment frequently Monitor and re-evaluate Get adjustable furniture Educate the staff about the principles of ergonomics Provide the staff with appropriate home program exercise

30 Break Time Mini Break Relax your hands Rest Break Do a different task Eye Break Look away and blink

31 Exercise Hands Finger extensions Wrists Backward stretch Shoulders Shung and roll Blade pinch Overhead reach

32 Exercise Head Nod head Turn head Tilt head Back/Arms Hands behind head Bend forward Knee to chest Back bend

33 Focus on your Posture Elbows at sides, forearms parallel to floor Wrists in neutral position Good back support Feet flat on floor Head and neck facing forward and straight Relax shoulders

34 Practice Good Posture and Body Mechanics

35 Practice Good Posture and Body Mechanics

36 Practice Good Posture and Body Mechanics

37 Key Points to Remember! Most office workers are at risk for MSDs MSDs are caused by stress and strain on your body while you work Use engineering and administrative controls to minimize the risks You can help by following safe work practices and reporting any MSD symptoms

38 Questions Thank You