ERGONOMICS

ERGONOMICS
Dr. Salwa Mahmood
Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Faculty of Engineering Technology
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

VIDEO ON WORKPLACE ERGONOMICS
What is ERGONOMICS?
ERGO=“work” NOMICS= “rules” or “laws”
Ergonomics literally means

“the laws of work”
What is ERGONOMICS?
OSHA defines ergonomics as the science of “designing the job to fit the worker, instead
of forcing the worker to fit the job.”
Ideally, ergonomics:
1. Makes the job safer by preventing injury and illness.
2. Makes the job easier by adjusting the job to the worker
3. Makes the job more pleasant by reducing physical and mental

stress
4. Saves money $$$

Ergonomic Factors
Ergonomic Factors
Environmental Physical
• Hearing • Stress on part of body
• Vision • CTDs or RSIs
• General comfort and health
Environmental Factors
Some examples of ergonomic

environmental problems are:
• Sick Building Syndrome
• Excessive noise
• Improper lighting
• Temperature extremes
What is SICK BUILDING SYNDROM?
Sick Building
Syndrome
Environmental Factors
What are some of the environmental factors that might effect

your work area?
Physical Stressors
Physical stressors place pressure or

stress on parts of the body:
• Joints, muscles, nerves, tendons,

bones
Sometimes these injuries are referred to

as “Cumulative Trauma Disorders”
(CTDs) or “Repetitive Strain Injuries”
(RSIs)
Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs)
Cumulative = occurring gradually over a period of weeks,

months, or years
Trauma = bodily injury to nerves, tissues, tendons, or

joints
Disorders = physical ailments or abnormal conditions

Examples of Cumulative
Trauma Disorders include:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Epicondylitis
Tenosynovitis
Bursitis
Risk Factors
The main risk factors for office-related CTDs are:
Repetition
Awkward positions or posture
Excessive pressure or force
Another risk factor for CTDs would be:
Vibration
Risk Factors: Repetition
The majority of CTDs are caused by repetitive motions that
would not result in injury if only performed once.
• Thousands of keystrokes typing
• Hours of filing, day after day
• Stamping dozens of papers
• Frequent lifting
• Repeated motions with computer mouse

Risk Factors: Awkward Positions
• Leaning forward at your desk
• Typing with wrists at an odd angle
• Raising shoulders while typing
• Reaching to use mouse
• Twisting neck to look at monitor or phone
• Lifting objects from below waist or above shoulders

AWKWARD POSITION: VIDEO ON BACK SAFETY
Risk Factors: Excessive Force
• Typing with too much force or “pounding” the keys
• Stamping
• Lifting heavy boxes of paper or carrying office equipment
• Using improper grip

Risk Factors: Excessive Force
VIDEO ON PROPER LIFTING
But the good news is....
There are simple ways to help yourself!

Solutions
12 tips for an Ergonomic 1.Use a good chair with a dynamic chair back and sit
Computer Workstation back in this
(Cornell University)
2.Top of monitor casing 2-3" (5-8 cm) above eye
level
3.No glare on screen, use an optical glass anti-glare
filter where needed
4.Sit at arms length from monitor
5.Feet on floor or stable footrest
6.Use a document holder, preferably in-line with
the computer screen
7.Wrists flat and straight in relation to forearms to use
keyboard/mouse/input device
8.Arms and elbows relaxed close to body
9.Center monitor and keyboard in front of you
10.Use a negative tilt keyboard tray with an upper
mouse platform or downward tilt able platform
adjacent to keyboard
11.Use a stable work surface and stable (no bounce)
keyboard tray
12.Take frequent short breaks (microbreaks)
Solutions
Tilt the work surface instead of the wrist. Stand with weight evenly distributed
between feet. When standing for long
periods of time, rest one foot on a sturdy
object above floor height and switch legs
periodically
Solutions
Keep elbows close to the body. Reduce the need for outstretched arms.
Use a higher work surface.
Solutions
Avoid overhead work. Use a ladder.
Avoid bending over your work.

VIDEO ON LADDER SAFETY
Solutions
Bend the tool, not the wrist.
Use tools that

distribute pressure
evenly across the
palm.
Solutions
Squatting
Better . .
Use tools or
extensions
that allow
you to stand
upright
Solutions
Highly repetitive motion
Better . .
•Use properly designed
ergonomic tools
•Vary your motions
•Rotate to other tasks
Using the knee/hand as
a hammer
Better . .
Use a mallet
Use a tool
Moderate to High Hand -
Arm Vibration
Better . .
Use low vibration tools
if available
Maintain tools
Use anti-vibration gloves
or tool wraps
Take frequent pauses
Stretch your hands and arms
Lifting
• Size up the load
• If too heavy for one

person, get help!
• Lift together or use

mechanical assistance
Lifting Safely
Unsafe Lifting Techniques
Pushing and pulling
Has potential for

straining arm, shoulder
and neck muscles
Use your legs and tighten abdominal muscles

Prevention Strategies
The elbows should be at a comfortable

angle while "hanging" at the sides from
the shoulders. The shoulders should
remain relaxed in a lowered position while
typing.
Avoid leaning forward at your desk
• Maintain natural “s” curve of your spine
• Support lower back
• Keep feet supported on floor or use a foot

rest
Avoid typing with wrists at an odd

angles…
• keep them in the neutral position,

not bent up or down, or side-to-side
The keyboard should be slightly lower than normal desk

height.
If it is not low enough, try raising your chair height.

Prevent your legs from dangling by using a footrest.
Keep "home row" of keys at elbow level.
Adjust your chair!

Do not pound the keys. Use a light touch.
Use two hands to perform double key operations

like Ctrl-C or Alt-F instead of twisting one hand to do
it.
Position frequently used equipment so that you

don’t have to reach for it.
Place monitor in front of you, not off at an

angle.
Take lots of breaks to stretch and relax.
Hold the mouse lightly.
Keep your hands and arms warm.

Pay attention to the signals your body

provides you.
If your neck hurts at work, examine your

body position to try to figure out what
might be causing the soreness. Are you
holding your neck at an awkward angle
while you type or talk on the phone?
If you are experiencing symptoms of CTDs…
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or fingers
• Pain in fingers, hands wrists, or even shooting up into the

arms or forearms
• Loss of strength or coordination in the hands
• Numbness or discomfort in the hands that wakes you up at

night....
But What About Headaches?
Many office-related headaches are caused

by eyestrain.
• Dry eyes
• Monitor glare
• Tired/strained eye muscles

Eyestrain
Position monitor at a comfortable distance
Avoid glare
Adjust VDT brightness and contrast
Keep screen clear of dust
Look up and away every few minutes or so!

Ergonomic Products
There are a variety of ergonomic products available on the market,
including:
• Keyboards
• Wrist rests
• Mouse pads
• Chairs
• Adjustable desks
• Glare screens

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ERGONOMICS

Dr. Salwa Mahmood

Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology

Faculty of Engineering Technology

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

ERGO=“work” NOMICS= “rules” or “laws”

Ergonomics literally means

1. Makes the job safer by preventing injury and illness.

2. Makes the job easier by adjusting the job to the worker

3. Makes the job more pleasant by reducing physical and mental

4. Saves money $$$

Some examples of ergonomic

• Sick Building Syndrome

What are some of the environmental factors that might effect

Physical stressors place pressure or

• Joints, muscles, nerves, tendons,

Sometimes these injuries are referred to

Cumulative = occurring gradually over a period of weeks,

Trauma = bodily injury to nerves, tissues, tendons, or

Disorders = physical ailments or abnormal conditions

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The main risk factors for office-related CTDs are:

Awkward positions or posture

Excessive pressure or force

Another risk factor for CTDs would be:

• Thousands of keystrokes typing

• Hours of filing, day after day

• Stamping dozens of papers

• Repeated motions with computer mouse

• Leaning forward at your desk

• Typing with wrists at an odd angle

• Raising shoulders while typing

• Reaching to use mouse

• Twisting neck to look at monitor or phone

• Lifting objects from below waist or above shoulders

• Typing with too much force or “pounding” the keys

• Lifting heavy boxes of paper or carrying office equipment

• Using improper grip

There are simple ways to help yourself!

Avoid overhead work. Use a ladder.

Avoid bending over your work.

Bend the tool, not the wrist.

Use tools that

• Size up the load

• If too heavy for one

• Lift together or use

Has potential for

Use your legs and tighten abdominal muscles

The elbows should be at a comfortable

Avoid leaning forward at your desk

• Maintain natural “s” curve of your spine

• Support lower back

• Keep feet supported on floor or use a foot

Avoid typing with wrists at an odd

• keep them in the neutral position,

The keyboard should be slightly lower than normal desk

If it is not low enough, try raising your chair height.

Keep "home row" of keys at elbow level.

Adjust your chair!

Do not pound the keys. Use a light touch.