Conducting an Office Ergonomics Audit - s2egroup.com · © ERGO Inc. 2013 [email protected] 2...

© ERGO Inc. 2013 www.ergoconsulting.ca [email protected] 1

Conducting an Office

Ergonomics Audit

Presented By:

Kavita Chauhan, R.Kin, B.Sc. Kin & Hlth., Ergonomic Specialist

ABOUT Inc.

International Ergonomics Consulting & Training organization providing Professional Ergonomic & Injury Management Services

Since 1994

WHY Inc.


1. Ergonomic Hazard Review in an Office

2. Musculoskeletal Disorders

3. Office Ergonomic Hazards

4. Office Ergonomics Review

5. Anthropometrics

6. Ergonomic Injury Prevention

7. “Finding Solutions” activities in groups

OBJECTIVES

Definition of ergonomics…

What does ergonomics mean to you…

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?

ERGONOMICS?

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=E1v7ULDDi4TSTM&tbnid=wa7b-KqWmeIoIM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/computer-workers-vector-30166&ei=SMCCUZ2-L9KhqQGHs4DABg&bvm=bv.45960087,d.aWM&psig=AFQjCNGR9XmZM6_6s3baBmD3GR-RxauDHw&ust=1367609536631778


BENEFITS OF ERGONOMICS

Increase health & safety of workers Decrease injuries Optimize human capabilities Increase morale Save money Increase productivity & quality

Decrease errors

Decrease turnover and absenteeism

Stimulate innovation

Improve Union/Management relations

Musculoskeletal

Disorders (MSDs)

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

Occupational Health & Safety Council of Ontario; MSD Prevention Series

MSDs are injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. They may be caused or aggravated by various hazards in the workplace. Include injuries mainly to:

Muscles, tendons and tendon sheaths Nerves Bursa Joints/ spinal discs

MSDs are not the direct result of a fall, struck by or against, caught in or on, vehicle collision, violence, etc.


COMMON TYPES OF MSDs

Cumulative stresses on the body over time lead to wear and tear of musculoskeletal system –

*** Aging workers are more prone to MSDs

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Median Nerve in Carpal Tunnel becomes compressed


BACK INJURIES

Overexertion is main cause

Lifting causes 50-60 % of injuries

Awkward posture involved 12-19% of the time

Poor sitting posture increases disc pressure

POSTURE AND DISC PRESSURE


MSD WORKPLACE HAZARDS

What are the main MSD Hazards in an Office Space?

1. Awkward postures

2. Static work

3. Repetition

4. Forceful exertions

What other factors may need to be considered?

MSD HAZARDS

COMPUTER SET UP


PRINCIPLE #1: Working Height

A mismatch between working heights and employees may lead to:

• poor posture

• discomfort

• inefficient work

PRINCIPLE #2: The Monitor

Place the top of the monitor at horizontal eye level

Tilt monitor slightly backward

Place monitor directly in front of the body, approximately one arm’s length away

Appropriate height for bifocal users

LAPTOPS

1. Working heights

2. Keyboard size

3. Mouse location

What are the ergonomic issues when using a laptop?


Position monitor at a right angle to windows

Tilt monitor to reduce reflecting overhead light

Focus task lights directly on documents

Use blinds or drapes

PRINCIPLE #3: Glare

PRINCIPLE #4: Keyboard

Align the “B” & “N” with the belly button and nose

Home row on your keyboard should be at elbow height

Your upper arms should be vertical, forearm horizontal

Wrists should be straight, shoulders relaxed

No contact stress on arms

PRINCIPLE #4: Keyboard


PRINCIPLE #5: Mouse

Your mouse should be positioned as close to your midline as possible

Place your mouse beside your keyboard at the same height

Your elbow angle should be between 75 and 130 degrees

Your wrists should be as close to straight as possible

Your wrists should not be bent to either side; align your hand with your forearm

Your mouse should fit your hand

PRINCIPLE #6: Chair

Individuals are responsible for

correctly adjusting their chair to

suit their needs

Even if the design of the chair is

ideal, the user has to understand

why it is necessary to use their

chair in the correct manner

To reduce reaching, consider the following: – Rearrange workstation

– Reduce dimensions of workstation

– Place mouse on keyboard tray beside keyboard

– Inclines / Writing Surfaces

– Document holders

PRINCIPLE #7: Reaching


PRINCIPLE #8: Tools & Equipment

Avoid bending the neck and holding

the receiver while talking on the

telephone. This can lead to neck

stiffness and headaches

Copy holders can raise & position

documents to improve neck postures

Use wider grips when writing

External keyboards and mouse

PRINCIPLE #9: Movement!

Take breaks away from the computer every two hours.

Follow the 20-20-20 rule.

Stand up for at least five minutes every hour.

Alternate computer tasks with non-computer tasks, such as

phone calls, filing and meetings.

Change your posture frequently.

Adjust you chair regularly.

Stretch your hands, shoulders, forearms neck and back every

few hours or whenever fatigue or discomfort is felt.

Work smartly at home and at work.

ANTHROPOMETRICS


ANTHROPOMETRICS

INJURY PREVENTION STRATEGIES

One of the prime sources of workplace injuries, particularly MSIs, is ergonomics-related hazards. MSIs account for about 40% of all workers’ comp claims in Canada. We recently asked what the biggest ergonomics-related hazard was in your workplace. You said: Poorly designed work stations (30%) Repetitive motions (27%) Improper lifting techniques (23%) Infrequent breaks (11%) Awkward work procedures (9%). Source: http://ohsinsider.com/search-by-index/safety-programs/poorly-designed-work-

stations-top-list-of-ergonomics-hazards#sthash.K4rVgTjd.dpuf

OFFICE ERGONOMICS


INJURY PREVENTION

Improve the task, workstation and/or environment

Maximize the employees ability to perform the physical demands of the job

OFFICE CONTROLS

Rearrange workstation

Adjustable workstation equipment

Adjustable seating

Tilt tables, inclines

Different devices

OFFICE ERGONOMICS

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&docid=z8JYS4fGRfRUuM&tbnid=LudyIPcPX6n1YM:&ved=0CAgQjRwwAA&url=http://arthritis.webmd.com/osteoarthritis-women-12/slideshow-oa-devices&ei=BKAwUtfPCYOgqgHf1IDIBg&psig=AFQjCNG4CLs4ZKyWdYu1VHJfAY7ZQYN4wA&ust=1379004804226820


ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS

Education and Training

Job/Task Rotation

Work Method Training

Fitness and Wellness Programs

Stretching Programs

MOVEMENT

CASE STATIONS

REVIEW OF PROPER WORKSTATION SET UP


ERGO Worksheet Case Scenario________________________ Feet supported Knees at ~90

degrees

Armrests at elbow level

No pressure on back of knees

Slight incline on backrest

Incline unlocked

Lumbar supported Mouse at same level as keyboard

Elbows at keyboard height

Mouse close to midline of body

Top of monitor height at eye level

Monitor ~ arm’s length away

Leg room Glare minimized

If applicable, 2nd monitor on dominant eye side

Frequent items within arm’s length

Phone headset available

Above shoulder level work avoided

Thank you for attending this workshop!

Questions?

Inc.


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Conducting an Office Ergonomics Audit - s2egroup.com · © ERGO Inc. 2013 [email protected] 2...

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