1. Ergonomics & Related Human Safety Research
Group JAM:
Jamie Chavez
Melissa Sundeen
Jake Lardinois
Aron Eisold

2. What is ergonomics? The study of work
Fitting jobs to workers and adapting the job to the workers.
Focuses on the work environment, also the design and function of a workspace.
Focusing on the workers health and well being.

3. Why are ergonomics important?
Increases savings
Fewer injuries
More productive and sustainable employees
Fewer worker compensation claims
Increased productivity
Fewer employees experiencing pain
Increased morale
Reduced absenteeism

4. Examples of bad office ergonomics
Monitor won’t fit
Twisted postures
Work practices
Environmental Factors
Wrong heights for tables and chairs
Monitor wrong height or distance
Glare
Bifocals

5. Work problems continued
Job stress
Wrists aren’t straight
Left handed people
Banging the knees on the keyboard tray
Multiple users
No back or elbow support
Cramped spaces

6. Solutions for bad office ergonomics
Have good working positions:
Hands, wrists and forearms straight and in line
Head is level and forward facing
Shoulders are relaxed and hang normally
Elbows stay in close to body

7. Solutions for bad office ergonomics continued
Feet are fully supported by floor or footrest
Back, thighs and hips are supported
Knees about the same height as hips
You can also make small adjustments, stretch your body parts as much as possible and walk around the office periodically.

8. Financial value to companies that use ergonomics
Heard of the costs to fix health problems such as Musculoskeletal disorders (tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and back pain)
Helps with loss of workdays for the workers
Less productivity and money

9. Research supporting ergonomics
Movement toward ergonomic diversity, known as diligent workers who puts in long hours in front of a screen.
In the early 19th century. Office workers, clerks and accountants mostly stood. Sitting was slacking to them.

10. Research supporting continued
Now there is office furniture that allows workers to sit or stand and have adjustable work stations. Such as height adjustable desks to accommodate different heights and weights of a person.

11. Legal obligations of ergonomics
Citation policy:
OSHA will consider evidence before issuing any citations, whether there are hazards recognized or caused.
Whether feasible means exists to reduce the hazard
Whether the hazard will cause serious harm to employees.

12. Legal obligations continued
OSHA will not focus its enforcement efforts on employers are making good faith efforts to reduce ergonomic hazards.
If OSHA does no cite an employer and ergonomic hazards exist, it may issue hazard alert letters describing ways to reduce these hazards.

13. Site list: http://safety.uchicago.edu/tools/faqs/ergonomics.shtmldf
ositions.html
48_050_BPEG_1010Z.pdf
desks-gaining-favor-in-the-workplace.html?_r=0