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ERGONOMICS

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Ergonomics “Study of Work”

“The science of fitting the job to the worker”

“ergo” = work

“nomics” = study of

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History

• As early as 18th century doctors noted that workers who required to maintain body positions for long periods of time developed musculoskeletal problems.

• Within last 20 years research has clearly established connections between certain job tasks and RSI or MSD*.

* RSI - Repetitive strain injury

* Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

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Main Ergonomic Principles:

1. Work activities should permit worker to adopt several different healthy and safe postures.

2. Muscle forces should be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available

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• The average person working at a keyboard can perform 50,000 to 200,000 keystrokes a day

• Overexertion, is most common cause of workplace injury

• An average of 125,000 back injuries due to improper lifting each year.

• Muscles overuse results in tiny tears in the muscles and scarring; these contribute to inflammation and muscle stiffness

FACTS

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What to do ??

a) Warm up & stretch before activities that are repetitive, static or prolonged

b) Take frequent breaks from ANY sustained posture every 20-30 minutes

c) Respect pain- positions or stop painful activity

d) Recognize early signs of inflammatory process.

PREVENTPREVENT, , PREVENTPREVENT, , PREVENTPREVENT !!! !!!

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Maintain Neutral Posture

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f) Avoid bending neck forward for prolonged periods of time.

g) Avoid static positions for prolonged time; muscles fatigue---MOVE to circulation!

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• Use the largest joints & muscles to do the job• Use 2 hands to lift rather than one, even with light

objects and tasks.• Carry objects close to body at waist level

Body Mechanics

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Correct & Incorrect Techniques

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Good and Bad of “ TILT”

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ERGO REMINDERS

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Practice Wellness at Work and Home !

ExerciseNutrition

Relaxation

Body Mind

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MOVE

STRETCH

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Prevention is God

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What are the physical demands of your job…

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Job Risk Factors

• Working in awkward postures / positions• Prolonged sitting and standing

• Bending, stretching

• Driving for extended periods of time

• Heavy lifting

• Awkward lifting

• Lifting in combination with twisting

• Pushing, pulling, carrying

• Accidents, slips, trips, falls

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What are MusculoSkeletal Disorders?

MSDs are injuries and illnesses that affect muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints or spinal discs.

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Common Body Parts Prone To Workplace MSDs

• Back - Lower • Neck and Upper Back• Upper Extremities - Arms and Hands• Lower Extremities - Legs and Feet

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Musculoskeletal Disorders: How & Why? listening to our body…

• Disruption in balance between breakdown and recovery

• 1st sx….fatigue (of body part)• 2nd sx…ache• 3rd sx…pain• Leading to loss of function

French & Zecha, 2005

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Introducing our 2nd focus area for today…

• Back care

• Posture• Contact stress

• Repetition

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Posture checkIncreased stress, decreased circulation…

Higher risk Lower risk

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Posture checkask yourself…

Do you use a headset rather than cradling thetelephone between your head and shoulder?

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Posture checkask yourself…

•Are you sitting against the back of your chair while you work?

•Is your head/neck upright and centered over your shoulders when you look at the screen or documents?

•Are your shoulders relaxed when keying and using the mouse?

•Are your arms close by your sides when you use the keyboard or pointer?

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Equipment set-up examplerisk identification…

Elbow and shoulder away from body, reachingincreased strain on shoulder and wrist

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Elbow and shoulder more relaxed and closer to bodydecreased strain on shoulder and wrist

Equipment set-up examplerisk identification…

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A word on contact stress

At your workstation notice where your body comesinto contact with objects…

Where are your:

•Front & back of knees•Elbows•Wrists•Back•Behind

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Is my “ergonomic” potato chip really ergonomic?

• To be ergonomic a design must…• Fit the user• Be easy to use• Improve comfort• Improve performance• Improve health and safety• Not just bells and whistles!

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Chair Basics

• Good lumbar (low back) support• Comfortable sitting for at least 2 hours• Chair has 5 point base• Adjustable arm rests (or none)• Seat pan is comfortable • Easily adjustable while sitting• Appropriate height & depth of seat pan

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Monitor issues and glareprotect your eyes !

• Eye-to-screen distance at least 18 inches• Top of screen at eye level or slightly below• Don’t stare…blink frequently to lubricate

eyes• Use blinds to control outside light• Screen colors: dark letters on light

background (IBM blue)

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Watch those deadlines!tension and stress - ask yourself…

                                     

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Some final wordsLet’s think about it…

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Back Safety & Ergonomics isn’t just a work thing!

The big picture…

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Ergonomics isn’t just a work thing! think of sleeping in your bed…

• Neck posture• Shoulder and arm posture• Wrist posture• Knee and hip posture• Back posture

For long periods of time: static and awkward positions, decreased circulation, increased compression!

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Another cause of back problems…accidents

It is also possible to injure your back due to accidents.

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See how we were unaware