Ergonomics

1. DR. VAIBHAV GUPTA MPH 1 st year Student Dept. of community medicine JSSMC 09/01/2013 MODERATOR: DR. MADHU B. ERGONOMICS

2. INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES BENIFITS TRANING FACTORS PRINCIPLES BASICS OF ERGONOMICS CONTROL & PREVENTION Plan of presentation

3. Derived from two Greek words: “ Ergon” meaning work “ Nomos” meaning principles of laws Ergonomics is the science of work. DEFINITION : “ The science of designing uses interaction with equipment and work place to fit the job.” INTRODUCTION

4. International Ergonomics Association Executive Council, “ Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of the interactions among human and other elements of a system and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.”  The latest formal definition of Ergonomics

5. Know how to recognize injury risks Understand how the body works Realize how to eliminate or reduce injuries Know how to stretch and warm up Improve quality of life OBJECTIVES

6. Reduce worker discomfort Improve & increase general health awareness Improve morale Reduce fatigue related costs Decrease errors and product defects Decrease time required to perform tasks Financial savings Y OU JUST FEEL BETTER Benefits of an Ergonomic Program

7. The purpose of training and education in Ergonomics is to ensure that employees are sufficiently informed about the ergonomic hazards to which they may be exposed and with that information actively participate in their own protection. Training

8. 1.The Human Factor People are different Biological : everyone has their limitations Shapes and sizes Tall and short Congenital defects, vision, hearing Emotional & physical stress Educational level Physical restrictions FACTORS

9. Behavioral: People have predictable reaction Attitude Lifestyles Job satisfaction or employer relationships Time pressures (stress) ( No time for stretching, breaks, lunch) Work culture Interaction with co-workers Personal problems CONTD..

10. Lifestyle influences Obesity Lack of physical fitness Age and gender Leisure/hobbies/sports Smoking Medical/psychological factors Previous injuries & illness Stress Contd....

11. Musculoskeletal Disorders Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or illnesses to soft body tissue such as: Muscles Nerves Tendons Ligaments Joints Cartilage Spinal Discs

12. CONTD………. MSDs do not include injuries caused by slips, trips, falls or other similar accidents. MSDs can differ in severity from mild, periodic symptoms to severe, chronic and debilitating conditions.

13. MSDs – Signs & Symptoms Aching Burning Cramping Loss of Color Numbness

14. COTND......... Pain Swelling Stiffness Tingling Weakness

15. Risk Factors are the elements of workstation design or employee action that can result in MSDs Environmental Factors Psychosocial& behavioural Activity Factors 2.Risk Factors

16. Heat Effects blood circulation & causes cramps, burns/rashes and general discomfort Cold Effects the body’s blood circulation, causes hypothermia, loss of flexibility, distraction Environmental Factors

17. Lighting Poorly lighted areas contribute to trip and fall hazards and poor coordination Under and over lighted areas can cause: Headaches muscle strains fatigue eye strain CONTD

18. Vibration Excessive vibration causes pain to muscles, joints and internal organs Soft tissue trauma to the hands, arms, feet and legs CONTD.......

19. Noise Noise peaks above 100 decibels cause headaches increased blood pressure muscle tension fatigue irritability and distraction Noise levels above 85 decibels need to adhere to the Hearing Conservation Program CONTD........

20. Job Dissatisfaction Depression/Anxiety Home problems Psychological "distress” Intensified work load, work pressure, fatigue, rotating shifts Increased physical pain from stress with muscle tightness and tension Psychosocial/Behavioral Factors

21. Force & Exertion Force: Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, poor body mechanics & posture Forceful exertions: Pinching, grasping, keying, moussing, writing, stapling Activity Factors

22. Manual Material Handling – Lifting Use good body mechanics Walking surfaces are level, wide enough, clean and dry Know your limits Weight Size Repetition Twisting, Bending CONTD .

23. Lifting Assess the load (weight & size) and plan your lift Bend your knees – do not bend at the waist Tighten your stomach muscles Keep the load close to your body Keep your back upright & head up Avoid twisting – Move toes before the nose Stretch before the lift CONTD ...

24. Maintain the neutral position Use the power position – knees bent and legs slightly staggered with one foot in front of the other Stay within your reach zone Promote the most effective work process Maintain and use the correct tools and equipment Provide and take adequate rest breaks Control and reduce the duration, frequency and severity of exposures Basic Ergonomic Principles

25. NEUTRAL POSITION 25 PPT-010-02

26. Basics of Ergonomics Awkward Posture Chair Keyboard Mouse Monitor

27. Document Holder Phone Amount of Reach Additional accessories Tools, equipment and procedures CONTD………

28. Posture Maintain the “S” curve in your spine Feet flat on the floor Legs should be parallel to the floor Shoulders relaxed and elbows close to body

29. Sitting Basics Height of the chair – adjustable Allows feet to be flat on the floor or on a foot rest Adjustable backrest with lumbar support - back rest should move up and down Good casters Chair Tilt and seat pan angle

30. Keyboard Standard or split keyboard – adjustable at elbow height with straight wrists!! Raise/lower the keyboard and workstation Change the angle of the keyboard

31. Mouse Move mouse closer to the keyboard Try alternate pointing devices –vertical mouse Do not use a wrist rest with the mouse

32. Monitor Face the monitor straight ahead Top of monitor should be same as eye level with the head slanted downward ever so slightly Tilt the monitor back – like reading a book Adjust the work surface height Move forward or backward – depends on vision Avoid “turtle necking” - head forward

33. Eye Strain Dry Burning Eyes Blurred Vision Delayed Focusing Altered Colour Perception Headaches Neck Pain

34. Vision – Eye Strain Move the monitor – improve line of sight Set contrast /brightness –reduce glare Increase/decrease lighting – task lighting Colour of print (black print on white is the best) Dust/clean screen Avoid “turtle necking”, starring & blink often Provide a document holder

35. 20-20-20 Rule Every 20 Minutes - Take a 20 second break Look 20 feet away (Stretch/exercise during those 20 seconds)

36. Additional Accessories Large grip pen/pencils Decrease stress on muscles/tendons Footrest Feet flat on the floor Supply footrest if needed Adjust the foot rest Adjust the seat pan height

37. Phone Move the phone to the right (if left handed) Move the phone to the left (if right handed) Move phone closer to the operator Provide head-rest or fixed head-set Use speaker phone Avoid cradling the hand set between your shoulder and head

38. Tools and Equipment Tools are selected to limit or minimize exposure to excessive vibration Tools are powered where necessary and feasible Tools are evenly balanced The tool grip/handle prevents slipping during use

39. Hazard Control & prevention Engineering Control Design of tools, job workstations & work method Administrative Controls Work load Job Rotation/Cross training Ergonomic training Work Practice Control How worker approaches the job Psychosocial issues/behaviour Exercise Personal Protective Equipment

40. Re-design or modify the work station Re-design of tools and stress proper tool for the task Lighting modification – comfort & performance Vibration control Noise control Automation/Mechanical lifting Material flow and process Engineering Controls

41. Administrative Controls Employee job rotation Adjustment of the work space Re-design of work methods Alternative tasks Increase rest breaks Increase workforce Reduce workload Monitoring work practices

42. Work Practice Controls Work techniques & procedures Conditioning period Using proper body mechanics and proper body posture Training in work techniques Monitoring of work practices Enforce use of Personal protective equipment (PPE)

43. Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) Reduces the duration, frequency, or intensity of exposure Gloves –vibration, heat, cold, cut/abrasive, chemical resistant Knee pads Respirators Hearing Protection Eye Protection Footwear – comfortable/flexible, slip resistant, steel toe

44. Other Options for Improvement Maintain your work zone Reference - Outside of arm’s reach Avoid twisting, bending and reaching Rest and a healthy diet (stop smoking) Drink water to help with joint function Exercise and stretch

45. Ideas for Prevention To increase circulation, use exercises while in the workplace such as: The body stretch Side bends Upper body twist Shoulder shrugs Fingers stretch Wrist stretch Thumb stretch

46. THANK YOU