Ergonomic Products 101

Amy Brown M.S., CPESenior ErgonomistVSI Risk Management and Ergonomics, Inc.

Outline

¨ What is Ergonomics

¨ Why are the correct products important

¨ Learn about Products

¨ Your Ergonomic Evaluation Process and Resources

What’s your “Ergo-IQ”?

What is Ergonomics?¨ The term ergonomics is derived from the Greek words:

¤ ergon – work¤ nomos – natural laws

¨ Definition:¤ Ergonomics is applied science of the physical and cognitive relationship

between the employee and their work environment – the human tool interaction.

Ergonomics looks at the design of tasks, tools, equipment & overall workplace layout in order to fit the task and

workstation to the person

Why are products important

¨ Proper products are designed to¤ Encourage neutral posture¤ Reduce strain/ forces associated with repetitive motions¤ Make you more comfortable and productive

LETS TALK PRODUCTS!

How to you choose your products?

¨ Products are not “one size fits all”!

¨ Some products are more appropriate for specific work tasks

Chairs

¨ More Expensive does NOT mean a better chair!

¨ Petite, Medium and Large options available

¨ Chairs should be fully adjustable¤ Seatpan height¤ Seatpan depth¤ Seatpan tilt¤ Armrest height (and removal)¤ Backrest height¤ Backrest recline

Chair Adjustments

¨ Chair:¤ Seat pan height - natural

sitting height¤ Seat pan depth – 3.0” space

between chair and legs¤ Backrest height – lumbar

support just above tailbone for men. Females need more thoracic support.

¤ Armrest height – relaxed shoulders

Footrest

¨ Foot support can encourage reclined sitting

¨ Reduces contact stress

¨ Also helpful for high worksurface

Sit/ Stand Desks

¨ Employee should alternating between sitting and standing to receive benefits

¨ Consider Footwear

Office Master Stool (CLS61) McMaster Carr Footrest

Keyboard Trays

¨ Single surface is best¨ Allows more desk space¨ Makes room for an inline document stand¨ Understand adjustability (height, depth, angle)

Mouse

Have you ever Googled “Ergonomic Mouse”?

Mouse

¨ Categories of Mice¤ Standard¤ Vertical¤ Trackball¤ Touchpad/ Trackpad¤ Rollermouse

¨ When choosing a mouse, consider:¤ Employee Stature (Hand size)¤ Computer applications – mouse intensive¤ Handedness (Right, Left, Ambidextrous)¤ Travel/ Laptop use¤ Price

Standard Mouse

¨ Available in a variety of sizes¨ Upgraded scroll wheels and Lasers¨ Customizable buttons¨ Familiar Feel

Logitech M500 Logitech MX Anywhere Kensington ProFit

Logitech Performance MX Goldtouch Semi-Vertical “Newtral”

Vertical Mouse

¨ Can be handed or ambidextrous¨ Encourage neutral ”handshake” postures¨ VSI performed a Usability Study on DXT vs. Evoluent vs.

Standard mouse. Inquire for results.

DXT EvoluentPenguin

Trackballs

¨ All Trackballs are not created Equal

Kensington OrbitLogitech Optical MarbleKensington Expert Mouse Trackball

Logitech TrackMan Wheel

¨ May still need palm support¨ Operation with thumb is not ideal¨ Wrist posture is incredibly important

¨ No planting

Touchpad/ Trackpad

¨ Wrist posture is incredibly important with use¤ No planting¤ Move from shoulder

¨ Easy transition from one hand to another

Apple Magic Trackpad 2

Roller Mouse

¨ May not be suitable for intensive mousing tasks e.g., finance, ¨ Allows user to utilize both hands during mousing¨ Reduces shoulder abduction

Contour Rollermouse Red Contour Rollermouse Pro2

Palm Support

¨ NOT Wrist Support!¨ Design matters - Depth, Height, Material

19

Belkin Mouse Slipper/ Sled

Keyboards

¨ When choosing a keyboard, consider:¤ Employee Stature (width of shoulders)¤ Computer applications – mouse intensive¤ Numeric Tasks¤ Travel/ Laptop use¤ Price

Adjustable Ergonomic - Split Ergonomic - Shortened

Adjustable Ergonomic Keyboards

¨ Split ergonomic keyboards are designed to allow the users wrists to remain in a neutral postures while typing.

¨ Adjustable ergonomic keyboards can be moved to a variety of splay angles and tenting heights to accommodate persons of various statures.

¨ Goldtouch ¨ Goldtouch “Go” ¨ Kinesis Freestyle

Kinesis Freestyle

¨ Usability Study conducted by VSI Consulting. Inquire about the results.

¨ Be aware of “Necessary” Accessories¤ Kinesis keyboard does have additional

accessory packages for varied adjustability options.

Kinesis Freestyle

Kinesis Freestyle with Incline Accessory Package

Kinesis Freestyle with VIP Accessory Package

Fixed Ergonomic Keyboards

¨ Watch out for Ill-fitted products!¨ Usability Study conducted by VSI

Consulting determined that users who did not “plant their wrists” while using a standard keyboard design without a wrist rest began to “plant their wrists” when using a keyboard with an inclusive wrist rest design.

Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000Microsoft Sculpt Logitech K350 Wave

Shortened Keyboards

¨ Purpose:¤ To reduce the reach (shoulder abduction) required for the mouse¤ Take up less space when area is limited (e.g., laboratories,

traveling, etc.)

¨ Logitech K360¤ Cordless¤ 20% smaller

than standard keyboard

¨ Adesso 88¤ Corded¤ 13.3” long¤ No number pad

¨ Logitech K810 Bluetooth¤ Cordless¤ Bluetooth¤ No number pad

Monitors

¨ When purchasing monitors, make sure they are height and tilt/angle adjustable¤ If not, make sure that monitor stands or monitor arms are

available

Monitor Arms

¨ If adjustable monitor arms are used, ensure that they are mounted close enough to the user to allow a correct viewing distance¤Ensure that employees understand how to adjust

this tool!

Monitor Stand

¨ If monitor arms aren’t available, use monitor risers

Dual Monitors

¨ When using Dual Monitors ensure that employees are viewing both screens equally.

¨ Align monitor heights**This also includes when using laptop as secondary screen

If employee views monitors equally

If employee views left monitor over 75% of

the time

Laptop Accessories

¨ The design of all laptops are a common cause of MSDs

¨ Tools are available to “break apart” the laptop screen and keyboard.

¨ Always use an external mouse with laptops.

Mobile Accessories

¨ Tablets and Cell phones cause many awkward postures

¨ Take frequent breaks with use

Mobile Accessories

Document Stands

¨ Documents stands are recommended to be aligned to the clients’ midline, directly in front of the monitor to reduce neck rotation.

3M Inline Document HolderDH640

Humanscale Document DrawerCH3000More appropriate for binders

Headsets

¨ Very important to reduce phone “cradling”

¨ Available wired and wireless

Warnings

¨ Products are not “One Size Fits All”.¨ When incorrectly used, products can cause more

HARM than GOOD!¨ Whoever is recommending products should have an

in depth knowledge of current tools and when they are appropriate.

¨ The Human-Tool interaction is key!!!

Computer Software

¨ Methods for tracking progress (metrics) to ensure that your program continues to evolve and lend continued productivity and safety advances

¨ Using technology to automate and simplify ergonomics program processes¤ Specialty Software Programs (e.g., Workstation Safety Plus,

Remedy)

Computer Software

Workstation Safety Plus’ training modules are designed to engage employees and increase participation rates.

Features include:q Expert-reviewed contentq Customizable pages – add your logo, change images, etc.q Content that changes depending upon the need

of your employeesq Content for new and expectant mothersq Specific content for home-workersq Video-based stretching exercisesq Multiple languagesq Meets all accessibility standards

Information collected from: http://cardinus.com/products/products.aspx?pc=wsp

Computer Software

Created Specifically for Enterprisesq Identify Workplace

Risks and Likely Injuries

q Mitigate Riskq Discover new Insightsq Strategic Support to

Maximize your successq Customized for your

Organization

Information collected from: http://remedyinteractive.com/solutions_office.html

Automates your entire ergonomic program so it can be managed by one individualq Pinpoint at-risk

employeesq Automate your effortsq Achieve your goalsq Prove your successq Rely on expertsq Engage your

employees

Desktop software to allow individual employees to manage and mitigate their risksq Proactively identify

risks or RSIs earlyq Reduce the risk of

injuriesq Increase injury

prevention program efficiency

q Now available in 8 languages

Your Ergonomic Program

¨ OSEC has a process for you to request evaluations. ¨ Contact your department representative to schedule

an evaluation¨ County of Santa Clara

has an approved products list and approved vendors

Who’s doing your evaluations?

¨ Understand credentials and education¤ CPE

n Certified Professional Ergonomist

¤ CIEn Certified Industrial Ergonomist

¤ CAEn Certified Associate Ergonomist

¤ HFEn Academic degrees (BS, MS, PhD) are available in Human Factors and

Ergonomics Engineering

Q&A

Amy Brown, MS HFE, CPESenior ErgonomistVSI Risk Management and Ergonomics, Inc.

amy@vsi-consulting.comwww.vsi-consulting.com