ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS...
 The
term “ergonomics” is derived from two
Greek words: “ergon”, meaning work and
“nomoi”, meaning natural laws.
 Ergonomists
study human capabilities in
relationship to work demands.
Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and
workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to
prevent repetitive strain Injuries, which can develop over time and can
lead to long-term disability.
POSTURE...
All of us could significantly reduce our risk of injury if
we could adhere to the following ergonomic principles:

All work activities should permit the worker to
adopt several different, but equally healthy and
safe postures
 Where muscular force has to be exerted it
should be done by the largest appropriate
muscle groups available.
 Work activities should be performed with the
joints at about mid-point of their range of
movement. This applies particularly to the head,
trunk, and upper limbs.
THE PROBLEM...

Here, however, we arrive at a serious problem - and a
challenge to conventional ergonomic thinking: In order to
put these recommendations into practice, a person
would have to be a skilled observer of his or her own
joint and muscle functioning and would have to be able
to change his or her posture to a healthier one at will. No
one develops this sort of highly refined sensory
awareness without special training. Therefore, in order to
derive the benefits of ergonomic research, we must learn
how to observe our bodies in a new way.* Any attempt to
improve workplace conditions can have only limited
success if this issue is ignored.
One of the most common
work-related hazards of concern to
ergonomists is
back pain.
BIGGEST
MISCONCEPTION…THE
BACKBELT
WHY????????
 AT
BEST THEY STIMULATE YOU TO
THINK ABOUT BACK CARE
 THEY PROVIDE NO BACK SUPPORT
 BEST USE IS FOR KEEPING YOUR MIDSECTION WARM
 THEY DO NOT KEEP YOUR BACK
STRAIGHT…….
10 TO 1 RATIO….
BACK INSTITUTE.. ASHLAND, KY.
 $56
BILLION………..
 ASSOCIATED IN BACK PAIN
LAST YEAR ALONE…
 RELATED TO: LOSS WORK
TIME, W.C., DAMAGE COSTS,
MEDICAL BILLS
 EMPLOYERS ARE PAYING FOR
THIS….
CELL PHONE ELBOW
LAPTOPS/DESK TOPS:
ERGONOMIC ADVICE




They are not very ergonomic – it’s not usually possible to
use them in a good posture and they can cause you
problems. You need to try to prevent: neck or eye
problems from trying to see the screen at an awkward
angle.
Wrist and hand problems from bending your wrists to
use the keyboard, or from overusing the other input
devices (mouse, rollerball, pad, etc)
Shoulder or back problems from carrying the laptop, or
from reaching too far to use it, or from using it
extensively in an unusual posture such as slouching,
bending over or lying down.
Over-heating of the groin due to supporting the hot
laptop on your lap (despite its name!)
Working on a Laptop/Desktop







Find a posture in which you can keep your wrists straight (neutral, in line
with your forearms), your shoulders relaxed and your back supported, and
in which you feel comfortable.
Align the laptop centrally with your body – don’t twist around to use it.
Take frequent breaks from working on the laptop, and get up to stretch and
walk around at least once an hour and more frequently if possible.
Change your posture often, whenever it becomes even slightly
uncomfortable; don’t stay in one position for more than 15 minutes or so.
Rest your eyes frequently by looking at something far away or by closing
them for a minute or two.
Remember to blink more to prevent your eyes feeling dry.
Take whatever software training you can because the more skilled you are
with the programs you use, the less time you will need to spend on the
laptop.
Make sure your battery lasts so
you don’t end up having to work
like this!
Ergonomics in the workplace
...has to do largely with the safety of employees,
both long and short-term. Ergonomics can help
reduce costs by improving safety. This would
decrease the money paid out in workers’
compensation claims. For example, over five
million workers sustain overextension injuries
per year. Through ergonomics, workplaces can
be designed so that workers do not have to
overextend themselves and the manufacturing
industry could save billions in workers’
compensation claims.
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s)

There are several approaches that may be used
to determine whether conditions in the
workplace might be contributing to employees
developing MSD’s. These approaches can be
used individually or in combination.
 Both work-related and non-work related
conditions can either individually, or by
interacting with each other, give rise to
musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s).
Ergonomics Contributing
Conditions… www.OSHA.gov
 How
do I look for conditions that may
contribute to musculoskeletal disorders?
 Review and analyze injury and illness
records to determine whether there is a
pattern of ergonomic-related injuries in
certain jobs or work tasks.
 OSHA 300 Logs and supporting 301 forms
 Workers' Compensation claims
RADIO STATION….WIIFM
W…WHATS
I…..IN
I…...IT
F….FOR
M…ME