ErgonomicsErgonomicsMatches “job to the worker” &Matches “job to the worker” &

““Product to the end user”Product to the end user”

Brett Young MSE 32Khalifa Maskery MSE 31

Today’s Objectives

• Awareness• Recognise hazards at your workstation• Conduct a basic workstation assessment • Modify and/or implement controls• Discuss rehabilitation & return to work• Reduce the risk of MSD in PDO

HEMP

Potential Health affects of working with Display Screen Equipment

• Musculoskeletal discomfort – upper limb, neck, lower back

• Overuse illnesses – Soft tissue, tendons e.g. CTS

• Temporary eye strain and headaches• Fatigue and stress• Epilepsy• Facial dermatitis• Electromagnetic radiation• Effects on pregnant women

PDO Studies

Illness % of workers• Headache 21• Lower back pain 38• Stiff neck 32• Shoulder pain 31• Sore wrist 43• Sore Eyes 32

Age bracket: 35-50 for lower back discomfortAge bracket 20-30 already showing significant discomfort

Risk Factors of MSD

1. Working Posture (Static, Awkward)2. Repetition & duration3. Work Area Design

− Workstation setup, office equipment

4. Individual factors− Pre-existing injury− Age of workforce

5. Work Organisation − Working longer hours− Desk/Office bound

Disc Pressure

Standing or

Correct Seated Posture

Discs take correct shape when spine is in ‘double S’ form

Seated with

Poor Posture

Discs are compressed when spine is in ‘C’ form

Chair

• Stable base (5 castors)

• Adjustable Lumbar Support

• Cloth pan and back

• Curved edges

• Adjustable pan ???

• Adjustable Height & Armrests

• Start with feet flat on floor

• Other types – Swiss ball, kneel chair, sit stand

Work Desk

• Adjustable height (start at 72 cm)

• Sufficiently large (600 mm depth)

• Clean, low reflectance surface

• Allows flexible arrangement of – screen, keyboard, documents, phone

Screens

• Distance from the User

• Level of Monitor

• Repeated Head Movement

• Reflection / Glare

• Contrast / Brightness

• Dust Build up

• Readability

Keyboards / Mouse

• Carpal tunnel Syndrome

• Mouse injury

• Carpal tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that effects the hand and wrist.

• It results when the median nerve does not work properly due to inflammation of the median nerve

Keyboard / Mouse

Keyboard / Mouse

Telephones and workstation equipment

Managers/Supervisors

• Only purchase/supply approved office equipment

• Ensure each workers’ workstation is assessed by HSE Focal Point

• Consult/Listen to workers• Look for signs of problems• Find low-cost and no-cost solutions

Workers

• Utilise the Self Assessment Tools• Modify your behaviour• Stretch/move every 45 minutes• Seek medical advice if pain persists• Speak to your supervisor

Rehabilitation & Return to Work

• Remedial Actions– Assessment of Workstation– RSI Checklist

• Medical Case Management– In-house medical staff– Work hardening– Job placement– Job redesign– Behavioural changes

What are MSE doing?

• Currently inspecting new facilities• Program to retrain HSE Focal Points• Workers to conduct self assessment tool• Target high risk workers/areas• Manage others for improvement• Program inspections & audits• Updating material on the Health webpage

http://sww1.pdo.shell.om/dept/cd/csm/health/ergonomics.htm