Healthy U Wellness Challenge2012Ergonomics

Ergonomics The study of how

to improve the fit between the physical demands of the workplace and the employees who perform the work.

Chair Height

Feet flat on floor or footrest Knees equal to or slightly lower than hips Elbows are at your side and wrists flat

while typing or using mouse Backrest

Curve of chair hits curve of lower back 93-113 degree angle

Chair (cont.) Other

Sit with hips all the way in back of chair Should have 2-3 fingers width of space

between edge of seat and back of knee

Keyboard Flat! Do not raise legs in

back Place directly in front of

monitor Center yourself over keys

used most often, not necessarily the center of the board

Palm rests Support palms not wrists! Can help w/pressure

points

Keyboard (cont.)INCORRECT POSITION CORRECT POSITION

Monitor and Mouse Monitor

Directly in front of you 16-29 inches from eyes (arm’s length) Top of monitor 2-3 inches above seated eye

level Use of bifocals requires lower monitors

Mouse Same height as keyboard Within close reach (<16 inches away) Hand, wrist and forearm straight

What’s wrong with this picture???

Be aware of…. Awkward postures

Repeated or prolonged reaching or twisting Holding of fixed positions

Repetitive motions Pressure points

Sides of fingers, palms, wrists, forearms, and elbows are more susceptible because nerves and blood vessels are closer to skin and bones

Common Conditions with Prolonged Sitting Rounded shoulders Forward head position Tight hip flexors Forearm or wrist tension Low back pain

tight hamstrings weak abdominals tight hip flexors

Resources http://www.ergonomics.ucla.edu/Howto_

Workstation.html http://www.orosha.org/pdf/pubs/1863.pd

f http://www.saif.com/_files/SafetyHealthG

uides/S-898_WorkstationComfort.pdf http://www.saif.com/_files/

SafetyHealthGuides/S-915_ErgonomicsWorksheet.pdf