1. INDUSTRY ASSIGNMENT: OFFICE PRESENTED BY LAURA BAKARI
INDH 5335
FALL 2016
Instructor: Dr. Magdy Akladios

2. INTRODUCTION
- According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), working Americans spend 2000 hours per year in the workplace.
- All of these hours can take a toll on the eyes, back, arms and neck.
- The ultimate goal of ergonomics is to design the workplace so that it accommodates the variety of human capabilities and limitations to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

3. ERGONOMIC EXPOSURES AT AN OFFICE
- Long hours of typing on the keyboard - Typing with bent wrists - Sitting still for long periods of time - Cradling the phone between ear and shoulder - Bending at the waist to load copy machines - Looking down at papers lying on the desk - Using scissors with hard metal handles - Lifting heavy files, manuals and boxes

4. ERGONOMIC EXPOSURES CONTINUED…
Resting wrists on the edge of desks while typing or using the mouse
- Stapling, stamping and opening 3-ring binders
- Inadequate space for legs and knees under the work surface
- Staring at the monitor for long periods of time

5. POTENTIAL SYNDROMES
- Many office jobs involve the use of the computer which offers limited opportunities for alternate postures or activities.
Examples of office Work-related MSDs include:
- Neck strain
- Shoulder tendinitis and bursitis
- Low back pain
- Epicondylitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Hand and wrist tendinitis
- Headaches
- Eye strain

6. BODY PART AFFECTED - Neck - Lower and upper back - Shoulders - Legs
- Eyes
- Neck
- Lower and upper back
- Shoulders
- Legs
- Fingers, wrists, elbows and arms
- Headaches

7. CAUSE OF SYNDROMES
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by constantly resting the wrists on the edge of desks when typing
- Hand and wrist tendinitis which is swelling of tendons in the wrist due to forceful muscle exertions.
- Epicondylitis from repetitive motions when typing or using the mouse.
- Neck strain, shoulder and upper back pain resulting from hunching shoulders, long reaches and lifting heavy boxes or files.
- Lower back pain from sitting too far from the monitor or lack of back support.
- Headaches and eye strain from staring at the monitor for long periods of time

8. RISK FACTORS - Repetition - Mechanical contact stress
- Awkward postures
- Repetition
- Mechanical contact stress
- Forceful muscle exertion
- Static loading or sustained exertions

10. PREVENTION METHODS
POSTURE: - change body position periodically throughout the day - center monitor with keyboard and chair - avoid ear-to-shoulder positioning while on the phone - rearrange work area to avoid excess bending, reaching or stooping REPETITION: - Alternate tasks and take several rest breaks - Stretching and walking will also relieve stress on the back, neck and shoulders

11. PREVENTION CONTINUED…
- Use wrist supports to avoid wrist contact with hard surfaces into reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome
SEATING:
- A good ergonomic chair with adjustable lumbar support and armrests will help maintain the natural ‘S’ curvature of the spine
- Slightly inclined backrests with height adjustability in chairs will allow for a variety of sitting postures.
EYESTRAIN AND HEADACHES:
- Apply a good quality glare filter to monitor
Adjust monitor font sizes to reduce strain on the eyes

12. REFERENCES:
Office Ergonomics – Practical Solutions for a Safer Workplace. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2016, from
AIHA Protecting Worker Health. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2016, from workplace-injuries-and-illnesses.aspx