ERGONOMICS PROBLEMS IN THE WORKPLACE

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS Occupational Safety & Health Act 1994 Safety & Health Policy Committees FirstAid AccidentReporting Training

Ergonomic ERGO (work and effort) + NOMOS (law or surroundings)= Law of work ERGO (work and effort) + NOMOS (law or surroundings)= Law of work the science on how to fit a system to a person using scientific approach the science on how to fit a system to a person using scientific approach Fitting the task and working environment to the workers Fitting the task and working environment to the workers

OSHA 1994 Third objective of the Act Third objective of the Act ‘Work environment that is adapted to the physiological and psychological needs of the worker’ ‘Work environment that is adapted to the physiological and psychological needs of the worker’

The Need for Ergonomic To maintain and maximize productivity and competitiveness To maintain and maximize productivity and competitiveness Ever efficient workplace (simple to human workers) Ever efficient workplace (simple to human workers) Achievable Quality (within the human physical and mental capacity) Achievable Quality (within the human physical and mental capacity) Safety ( to minimize unsafe acts) Safety ( to minimize unsafe acts) Health (to minimize acute and chronic injuries) Health (to minimize acute and chronic injuries)

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASE DISABILITY PRONOUNCED SYMPTOMS MINOR SYMPTOMS Disorders, Injury, Diseases Soreness, Aches & Pains -Affecting Performance Occ. movement problem, Minor aches,Fatigue, Discomfort -Considered ‘Normal’

Ergonomic Risk Factors Force Force amount of force required to perform task amount of force required to perform task Frequency Frequency repetition of similar actions without rest repetition of similar actions without rest Awkward position Awkward position other parts of the body are tense not due to work but maintaining posture other parts of the body are tense not due to work but maintaining posture Static position Static position same position held for extended periods without movement same position held for extended periods without movement Lack of recovery Lack of recovery when cumulative fatigue exist when cumulative fatigue exist Contact stress Contact stress soft tissues pressed against a hard object soft tissues pressed against a hard object

OFFICE ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH Temperature Humidity Ventilation Contaminated Air Smoking Ozone/Photocopiers Sick Building Syndrome Lighting Color Office Floor Space Welfare Facilities Cleanliness

SAFETY IN THE OFFICE Office Accidents Manual Handling Work Equipment Chemical Emergencies Stress Transport

Computer Work Station ‘Typing Injuries’ Eye Strain Back Pain Psychological Stress

KEYBOARD EQUIPMENT Workstation Checklist for Keyboard Workers Keyboard Workers Workstation Dimensions Lighting for VDUs Glare & Reflection Using a Mouse Keyboard Equipment and Radiation Keyboard and Telephone Operations

WRONG CORRECT TYPING POSITION

Neutral Posture

REST BREAKS & EXERCISE Rest Breaks & Keyboard Work Eye Strain Muscle Care & Preparation Exercises for Rest Breaks

EXERCISE - reduce muscle fatigue -improve circulation

Visual Discomfort ICT era- widespread use of computer/video display terminals (VDT) ICT era- widespread use of computer/video display terminals (VDT) Commonplace: office work, engineering, architecture---- personal use Commonplace: office work, engineering, architecture---- personal use Importance of visual comfort: Importance of visual comfort: enhance job performance & productivity enhance job performance & productivity

Eye Muscles

Common Eye Symptoms Occurs when the visual demands of the task exceed the visual abilities Blurred vision Blurred vision Double vision Double vision Eye strain Eye strain Headache Headache Red/sore eyes Red/sore eyes

Causes of Visual Discomfort High visual demand High visual demand Sustain, close-screen work: visual fatigue Sustain, close-screen work: visual fatigue Less short breaks Less short breaks Non ergonomic work station Non ergonomic work station Ambient lighting, VDT brightness/contrast, glare Ambient lighting, VDT brightness/contrast, glare Refractive errors (uncorrected)Refractive errors (uncorrected) Radiation? Radiation? Non conclusive Non conclusive ‘EYE FATIGUE’

Ergonomic Work Station VDT monitor and screen: brightness, contrast, text size VDT monitor and screen: brightness, contrast, text size Glare prevention Glare prevention Good lighting Good lighting

Good Work Practice Maintain correct working distance- physiological resting accommodations and vergence Maintain correct working distance- physiological resting accommodations and vergence Regular blinking of the eyes- minimize excessive tear evaporation Regular blinking of the eyes- minimize excessive tear evaporation Take frequent and regular short breaks- enough time for eye muscle to recover (STOP, LOOK AWAY & BLINK) Take frequent and regular short breaks- enough time for eye muscle to recover (STOP, LOOK AWAY & BLINK) Adopt good work posture Adopt good work posture Reference materials placed close to the screen Reference materials placed close to the screen Choose proper spectacles or lenses Choose proper spectacles or lenses

Back Pain and Manual Handling Manual handling- strength and power to lift up/down, push, pull, carry, transfer or hold objects Manual handling- strength and power to lift up/down, push, pull, carry, transfer or hold objects it increases risk of back pain it increases risk of back pain heavy load heavy load non neutral position (bending, twisting) non neutral position (bending, twisting) increase stress to the back increase stress to the back physical load- acute and chronic effect to back pain physical load- acute and chronic effect to back pain

Participatory Ergonomic Approach Joint employee-employer involvement in planning and executing ergonomic activities Joint employee-employer involvement in planning and executing ergonomic activities Task specific- small group Task specific- small group Based at each worksite Based at each worksite Both sides should maintain periodic communication Both sides should maintain periodic communication