Office Ergonomics Joe Brenneman ISE 3014 Work Measurement and Methods Engineering From Professional Safety Vol.50 No.7 Page 22-30

What is Office Ergonomics? Ergonomics: is the study of how you interact with your work and work environment. Ergonomics: is the study of how you interact with your work and work environment. Office ergonomics: focuses on arranging your work environment to fit your needs while you do your job. Office ergonomics: focuses on arranging your work environment to fit your needs while you do your job.

Why Office Ergonomics? Reduce adverse health effects from video display terminal (VDT). Reduce adverse health effects from video display terminal (VDT). Work related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) Work related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) 34% of lost workdays are due to WMSD and RSI 34% of lost workdays are due to WMSD and RSI Costing businesses million dollars a year in workers compensation, and upwards of 60 million dollars in indirect costs. Costing businesses million dollars a year in workers compensation, and upwards of 60 million dollars in indirect costs. Enhance organizational effectiveness and facilitate the change process. Enhance organizational effectiveness and facilitate the change process.

System Design Approach Analysis Analysis What is the current performance of the organization and the What is the current performance of the organization and theworkers? What is the desired performance of the organization and the What is the desired performance of the organization and the workers? workers? Design Design Try to match the worker with the job, and worker with the work environment. Try to match the worker with the job, and worker with the work environment. Object by object design. Object by object design. Development Development Research Research Implement Implement Pre Surveys and Assessments Pre Surveys and Assessments

System Design Approach Evaluate Evaluate Conduct evaluation after a realistic amount of time. Conduct evaluation after a realistic amount of time. Post Survey and Assessment. Post Survey and Assessment.

Real Study Example Telemarketing Company, call center 4,050 employees. Telemarketing Company, call center 4,050 employees. Pre assessment of VDT knowledge. Pre assessment of VDT knowledge. 67% of employees had correct responses. 67% of employees had correct responses. After Training After Training More than 93% of employees had correct responses. More than 93% of employees had correct responses. Post observations Post observations More than 85% of employees were able to apply techniques taught. More than 85% of employees were able to apply techniques taught. Higher levels of user control as employees continually adjusted their workstation to meet various job demands. Higher levels of user control as employees continually adjusted their workstation to meet various job demands.

Telemarketing Call Center Changes made to work environment Changes made to work environment Chair adjustment Chair adjustment Monitor placement Monitor placement Height and adjustment of keyboards Height and adjustment of keyboards Working surfaces Working surfaces Change in posture Change in posture Breaks for exercise or movement Breaks for exercise or movement

Cost and Benefit Return on Investment Return on Investment After first year After first year 15% decrease in reported upper extremity WMSDs 15% decrease in reported upper extremity WMSDs 33% decrease in average lost workdays due to WMSDs 33% decrease in average lost workdays due to WMSDs An overall increase in worker control and efficiency and a reduction in stress. An overall increase in worker control and efficiency and a reduction in stress. The money saved from workers compensation surpassed the cost of training after the first year and a half. The money saved from workers compensation surpassed the cost of training after the first year and a half. After the second year, decreases in WMSDs continued. After the second year, decreases in WMSDs continued.

Conclusion A well designed office coupled with ergonomic techniques can lead to better efficiency and reduction in worker stress. A well designed office coupled with ergonomic techniques can lead to better efficiency and reduction in worker stress.