The document discusses ergonomics in industrial and office settings. It defines ergonomics as the study of the relationship between people and their work environment. The goal is to prevent injuries by designing physical work to fit the user. Improper posture and repetitive tasks can cause musculoskeletal disorders if risks like bending, twisting, force, and vibration are not addressed. Solutions include adjusting workstations, using ergonomic tools, taking breaks, stretching, and changing positions to reduce fatigue and discomfort.

1. Ergonomics Industrial and Office Prepared by: Dan Sawall dan.sawall@yahoo.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/dansawall

3. Used to prevent injuries and illnesses associated with the design of physical work.

4. Science of fitting the work to the user instead of forcing the user to fit the work.

5. Used to increase employee safety and comfort and to optimize work performance and quality.2

7. Repeated heavy lifting

8. High pinch forces

9. Working with hands above shoulders

10. Handling objects that are sharp, very hot, or very cold.

12. Pain

13. Illness – sprains, back ache, etc.

14. Low morale

15. Frustration & Irritation

16. Poor Quality

17. Absenteeism

18. Higher costs

19. Higher employee turnover & training3

21. Higher quality

22. Reduced operator injury

23. Increased morale

24. Greater job satisfaction

25. Lower medical & insurance costs

26. Reduced lost time

27. Lower absenteeism

28. Less employee turnover4

30. Fatigue

31. Physical Exertion

32. Fatigue & Recovery

33. Over-exertion & Cumulative Trauma

34. Body Type5

36. Arms Extended

37. Bending & Twisting

38. Static Body Posture

39. Using Force

40. Vibration

41. Contact Stress

42. Temperature

43. Noise

44. Fatigue6

46. Lower back

47. Shoulders

48. Upper limbs

49. Wrists and fingers

50. Causing:

51. Extended pain

52. Disability

53. Medical Treatment7

55. Whole: Body fatigue occurs when several body parts are overexerted.

57. Dynamic exertion is where there is visible movement of the body.

58. Static exertion is where the body or part of the body is held in place.

59. Static exertion is often more tiring because the muscles do not have a chance to recover.8

61. Whole body fatigue is best reduced by decreasing the level of body activity or by resting the body.9 The amount of force you exert and the length of time both effect how soon and how much fatigue will set in.

63. Cumulative Trauma injuries are “wear and tear” type and include damage to hands, wrists, shoulders, elbow and some back disorders.10

65. How often is it repeated?

66. How long is it held?

67. How often is the total task repeated?

68. How long the task is worked?11

70. Repetitive Hand & Wrist Motions – effects the tendons passing through the carpal tunnel which can lead to tendinitis / tenosynovitis.

71. Vibration – effects the blood vessels in the fingers which can lead to Raynaud’s Phenomenon.

72. Pinch grips - can lead to contact stress and over-exertion of the hands.12

74. Pinch forces over 7lbs can cause injury.

75. Hook and contact grasps expose the operator to the potential of contact stress with sharp or hard objects.

76. DO NOT strike objects with your hand or any body part.13

78. The longer the reach, the greater effect of any weight involved. The more off center the reach, the greater effect of any weight involved.14 Inverted Drill Press

81. Lets you use larger muscles with less strain on your back.

82. You are less likely to slip.

83. Pushing can be split into whole body or arms only.

84. Suggested standing force limits are 50 lbs. using 2 hands.16

86. Use ergonomically designed tools – follow a checklist.

87. Have work instructions for the operator to follow.

88. Do an analysis of the task.17

90. Arms Extended & Unsupported: Alter the design of the work station to bring the work closer. Minimize work above shoulders and avoid work that requires elbow abduction (elbows up).

91. Bending & Twisting: Reposition the objects to the front of the worker at an appropriate height.

92. Using Significant Force: Reduce the weight of the load if possible, keep your body in neutral postures, use assisted lifts, reduce pinch forces, use power grips and minimize lift distance.

93. Static Body Posture: Alternate between standing and sitting. Rest one foot on a support while standing.18

95. Contact Stress: Cushion exposed body parts (e.g. gloves), pad hard or sharp objects, and round or smooth rough edges.

96. Heat / Cold: Limit exposure to temperature extremes, use heating / cooling systems and wear protective clothing.

97. Noise: Reduce exposure to high noise levels. Wear hearing protection, as needed.19

99. Balance yourself with your feet positioned shoulder width apart. Position one foot slightly ahead of the other.

100. Remember people often do more lifting in their work areas than they realize!20

102. Bend at the knees, NOT the back. Use your leg muscles and straighten your legs to lift.21

104. Turn with your feet to avoid a back injury.

105. ASK for help or get mechanical assistance if the load is too heavy or large.22

109. Twisting

110. Bending

111. Excessive typing23

113. You should be able to view your screen without tilting and turning your head.

114. Keep the mouse close enough where your elbow doesn’t have to reach out.

115. Place documents you are working off of on a holder between the keyboard and the screen (or nearby) to avoid stretching the neck too much.24

117. Taking short breaks

119. Avoid constant reaching or bending. Place frequently used material within close reach.

120. Avoid cradling the telephone with your head.

121. Re-focus on distant objects when feeling tired.25

123. When standing, put one foot on a footrest torelieve back fatigue.

124. Wear gloves.

125. Install extra insoles and lifts in shoes.

127. Desks should have plenty of clearanceabove the knees.26

129. Do what you can to change what is affecting you negatively at work.

130. Report concerns immediately.

131. Share ideas on improvement or equipment.

132. Report malfunctioning equipment.

133. Apply these simple techniques to everyday routines in AND out of work.27

134. Quiz 1. True or False It’s important to know about Industrial and Office ergonomics to reduce the possible cause of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s). 2. True or False When lifting, it’s good to bend at the knees and not the back. 3. True or False When at a computer, the further the mouse is away from the body, the better it is for the elbow. 4. When you believe there is an ergonomic issue you should do all except: Report issues whenever it’s convenient. Share ideas on improvement. Report malfunctioning equipment. Apply effective techniques outside of work. 5. What is NOT a good way to reduce comfort and fatigue on the job: Taking short breaks Taking a short nap Stretching Moving around & changing positions 28

135. Quiz 6. True or False When you are multitasking and your phone rings, cradle the telephone with your head. 7. True or False When feeling weary, it’s okay to relax eyes for a few seconds and refocus on distant objects. 8. When typing at a computer from another document, you should place it: Flat on the desk next to you On your lap On a holder between the keyboard or next to the screen Propped up on the keyboard in front of the screen 9. Yes or No Is ergonomics designed for work environments to maximize efficiency alone? 10. True or False If you’ve been working for 20 years, it won’t make a difference to change your posture and awkward routines on the job. 29

136. Review 1.Trueor False It’s important to know about Industrial and Office ergonomics to reduce the possible cause of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s). 2.Trueor False When lifting, it’s good to bend at the knees and not the back. 3. True or False When at a computer, the further the mouse is away from the body, the better it is for the elbow. 4. When you believe there is an ergonomic issue you should do all except: Report issues whenever it’s convenient. Share ideas on improvement. Report malfunctioning equipment. Apply effective techniques outside of work. 5. What is NOT a good way to reduce comfort and fatigue on the job: Taking short breaks Taking a short nap Stretching Moving around & changing positions 30

137. Review 6.True or False When you are multitasking and your phone rings, cradle the telephone with your head. 7.Trueor False When feeling weary, it’s okay to relax eyes for a few seconds and refocus on distant objects. 8. When typing at a computer from another document, you should place it: Flat on the desk next to you On your lap On a holder between the keyboard or next to the screen Propped up on the keyboard in front of the screen 9. Yes or No Is ergonomics designed for work environments to maximize efficiency alone? 10. True or False If you’ve been working for 20 years, it won’t make a difference to change your posture and awkward routines on the job. 31