Computer Ergonomics

1. Computer ErgonomicsComputer Ergonomics
Why is it important?Why is it important?
&&
What are the risks?What are the risks?
Joselle Aponte
9-18-2008

2. What is Computer ErgonomicsWhat is Computer Ergonomics
The applied science of equipment design The applied science of equipment design
intended to maximize productivity by reducing intended to maximize productivity by reducing
operator fatigue and discomfort.operator fatigue and discomfort.
Derived from the Greek word “ergon” which Derived from the Greek word “ergon” which
means work, and “nomics” which is to study. So means work, and “nomics” which is to study. So
Ergonomics is the study of work. Ergonomics is the study of work.
Ergonomics aims at fitting the workstation to the Ergonomics aims at fitting the workstation to the
person, rather than the person to the person, rather than the person to the
workstation.workstation.

3. What is Ergonomics design?What is Ergonomics design?
It’s the positioning It’s the positioning
of the body in of the body in
relation with the relation with the
computer desk, chair, computer desk, chair,
mouse and the mouse and the
monitor so they are monitor so they are
correctly aligned to correctly aligned to
the body to reduce the body to reduce
injury.injury.
An office Ergonomics An office Ergonomics
Assessment can Assessment can
determine how best determine how best
to align each person to align each person
with the equipment with the equipment
they use. they use.

4. Workstation EnvironmentWorkstation Environment
Arrange office to minimize the glare from overhead lights,Arrange office to minimize the glare from overhead lights,
desk lamps, and windows. desk lamps, and windows.
The right level of illumination The right level of illumination can enhance your ability to see can enhance your ability to see
monitor images.monitor images.
Maintain appropriate air circulation. Maintain appropriate air circulation.
Ventilation air flow rates within 3-6 inches per second and Ventilation air flow rates within 3-6 inches per second and
humidity of the air between 30% - 60%.humidity of the air between 30% - 60%.

Avoid sitting directly under air conditioning vents that “dump” airAvoid sitting directly under air conditioning vents that “dump” air
right on top of you.right on top of you.
In the summer between 68 and 74 degrees and the winter In the summer between 68 and 74 degrees and the winter
between 73 and 78 degrees.between 73 and 78 degrees.

5. DeskDesk
A well designed and A well designed and
appropriately adjusted appropriately adjusted
desk will provide desk will provide
enough room for your enough room for your
legs and proper legs and proper
placement of computer placement of computer
equipments and equipments and
accessories.accessories.
Desk should be able to Desk should be able to
accommodate a variety accommodate a variety
of working postures.of working postures.

6. ChairChair
A well designed and A well designed and
appropriately adjusted appropriately adjusted
chair is an essential chair is an essential
element of a safe and element of a safe and
productive work station.productive work station.
3.3.The back rest should align The back rest should align
with the spine and add lumbar with the spine and add lumbar
support.support.
4.4.The seat should be The seat should be
comfortable and allow feet to comfortable and allow feet to
rest flat on the floor.rest flat on the floor.
5.5.Armrests should be soft and Armrests should be soft and
allow shoulders to relax and allow shoulders to relax and
elbows to stay close to the elbows to stay close to the
body.body.
6.6.Should have a five-leg base Should have a five-leg base
with caster for easy movement with caster for easy movement
on the floors.on the floors.

7. MonitorsMonitors
Sit at a comfortable Sit at a comfortable
distance with a viewing distance with a viewing
distance of 20 – 40 distance of 20 – 40
inches from the eye to inches from the eye to
the front surface of the the front surface of the
computer screen.computer screen.
Often placed too close or Often placed too close or
too far from the viewer too far from the viewer
can cause eyes to work can cause eyes to work
harder to focus or strain harder to focus or strain
to read small text. to read small text.
Eventually leading to Eventually leading to
excessive fatigue, eye excessive fatigue, eye
strain, and neck and strain, and neck and
back painback pain
20 – 40 in20 – 40 in
20 – 40 in20 – 40 in

8. KeyboardsKeyboards
That are too high or too low That are too high or too low
can lead to awkward wrist , can lead to awkward wrist ,
arm, and shoulder postures.arm, and shoulder postures.
Too close or too far away Too close or too far away
causes you to reach with the causes you to reach with the
arms, leaning forward with the arms, leaning forward with the
torso, and extreme elbow torso, and extreme elbow
angles. Causing angles. Causing
musculoskeletal disorders of musculoskeletal disorders of
the elbows, shoulders, hands, the elbows, shoulders, hands,
and wrists.and wrists.
Place keyboard directly in front Place keyboard directly in front
of you at a distance that of you at a distance that
allows your elbows to stay allows your elbows to stay
close to your body with your close to your body with your
forearms approximately forearms approximately
parallel with the floor.parallel with the floor.

9. Pointer/MousePointer/Mouse
Pointer devices come in Pointer devices come in
many sizes, shapes and many sizes, shapes and
configurations. In configurations. In
addition to the addition to the
conventional mouse conventional mouse
there are trackballs, there are trackballs,
touch pads, finger tip touch pads, finger tip
joysticks and pucks.joysticks and pucks.
3.3.Keep pointer/mouse close Keep pointer/mouse close
to the keyboard.to the keyboard.
4.4.Alternate hands with Alternate hands with
which you operate the which you operate the
pointer/mouse.pointer/mouse.
5.5.Use keyboard short cuts Use keyboard short cuts
to reduce extended use.to reduce extended use.

10. www.osha.govwww.osha.gov