1. Ergonomics
Greek - Ergon – Work
Nomoi – Natural Laws

2. What is Ergonomics? Ergonomics:
a discipline that involves arranging the environment to fit the person in it.
When applied correctly to the work environment, visual and musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue are reduced significantly.

3. Repetitive Stress Injuries
Are injuries that result from excessive and repeated physical stress on the musculoskeletal system
Hands
Wrists
Elbows
Shoulders
Neck
Back

4. Topics General Concepts Posture Chair and seating Features Adjustments
Monitor
Keyboard and mouse

5. General Ergonomic Concepts
Change Posture throughout the day.
Ensure adequate under desk clearance.

6. General Ergonomic Concepts
Light reflects off monitors, causing glare and eye fatigue.
Avoid office clutter.

7. General Ergonomic Concepts
Avoid reaching. Keep your tools within a comfortable “reach envelope.”

8. Posture
Forearms held horizontally at about a right angle at the elbow, shoulders relaxed
Wrists in a neutral (straight) posture
Backrest supporting lower back, pelvis and natural curve of spine
Thighs resting horizontally
Feet fully supported by the floor/footrest.

9. Sitting upright or forward
Main issues
Sitting upright or forward
Not changing position

10. Neutral Posture 8000 Series
Chairs and Seating
There is no one perfect chair that fits all people.
Neutral Posture 8000 Series
Global 4430

11. Chairs and Seating
Body types, sizes, disabilities and personal preferences all affect the choice of a chair.
Wide array of ergonomic chairs
Differ in the types of adjustments, how the adjustments are made, and how the chair is constructed
Cost is the primary factor in determining chair selection - can exceed $1,000 for a good ergonomic chair

12. Controls
Right side controls
Left side controls

13. Chair Anatomy
5-legged base with Casters

14. Back Considerations
Size (High, Mid, Low)
Contour
Support

16. Back Height Adjustment

17. Adjust the height of the back of the chair to provide support to your lower back.

18. Back Angle

19. Adjust the angle of the back of the chair to give you comfortable support.

20. Tilt

22. Occasionally tilt the chair forwards or backwards to relieve pressure on the underside of your thighs.

23. Seat Pan Height
Pneumatic cylinder

24. Stand in front of the chair and adjust the height of the seat so that it is below your kneecap.
BELOW KNEECAP

25. Use a footrest if your feet cannot rest flat on the floor or if there is pressure underneath your thighs.

26. Seat Pan
Contour
Width
Depth
Front Edge
Construction

27. Seat Pan Depth
Seat Pan set back
Seat Pan set forward

28. Sit so that there is a width of 2 -3 fingers between the front of the seat pan and the back of your leg.

29. Armrests Should they be used? Ease of removal
Range of height adjustment
Range of pivot adjustment
Covering material
Padding

30. When typing, elbows are held at a 90º - 100º angle.
Armrests can support the arm and relieve shoulder and other stresses.

31. Armrest Height

32. Headrest Range of forward adjustment Range of height adjustment
Can it be removed?

33. Workstation Relationship

34. Monitor
Monitor screen should be set where top line of text is at eye level
Don’t use several colors at one time.
Use extreme contrasts, ie) blue and red, as eyes won’t tire as quickly.
Blue shouldn’t be used for small letters or numbers. Eyes can’t easily on small blue print.
Don’t use yellow or green – causes a vibrating effect.

35. Keyboard and Mouse
Keyboard at a height where wrists are straight when fingers are on middle row of keys (if palms or wrists bend or drop when typing, a palm or wrist support may be needed to be used during rests from keying)

36. Workstation arrangement
Arrange phone, reference books, pens, documents
and materials used often
in primary work zone (area within 12 inches of you) to minimize reaching. Items occasionally used should go into secondary zone (area inches from you)

37. Leisure Time
Consider type of activities pursued in leisure time and whether it adds to or combats cumulative effect of work.
Eg: Exercise and activity that loosen the shoulder and neck muscles reduce effect of computer work. Activities such as knitting or playing computer games can add to neck and shoulder stiffness