Ergonomics & Related Human Safety Research Group JAM: Jamie Chavez Melissa Sundeen Jake Lardinois Aron Eisold.

Ergonomics & Related Human Safety Research

Group JAM:

Jamie Chavez

Melissa Sundeen

Jake Lardinois

Aron Eisold

What is ergonomics?

The study of work

Fitting jobs to workers and adapting the job to the workers.

Focuses on the work environment, also the design and function of a workspace.

Focusing on the workers health and well being.

Why are ergonomics important?

Ergonomics:Increases savingsFewer injuriesMore productive and sustainable employeesFewer worker compensation claimsIncreased productivityFewer employees experiencing pain Increased moraleReduced absenteeism

Examples of bad office ergonomics

Monitor won’t fit

Twisted postures

Work practices

Environmental Factors

Wrong heights for tables and chairs

Monitor wrong height or distance

Glare

Bifocals

Work problems continued

Job stress

Wrists aren’t straight

Left handed people

Banging the knees on the keyboard tray

Multiple users

No back or elbow support

Cramped spaces

Solutions for bad office ergonomics

Have good working positions:Hands, wrists and forearms straight

and in lineHead is level and forward facingShoulders are relaxed and hang

normallyElbows stay in close to body

Solutions for bad office ergonomics continued

Feet are fully supported by floor or footrest

Back, thighs and hips are supportedKnees about the same height as hipsYou can also make small adjustments, stretch your body parts as much as possible and walk around the office periodically.

Financial value to companies that use ergonomics

Heard of the costs to fix health problems such as Musculoskeletal disorders (tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and back pain)

Helps with loss of workdays for the workers

Less productivity and money

Research supporting ergonomics

Movement toward ergonomic diversity, known as diligent workers who puts in long hours in front of a screen.

In the early 19th century. Office workers, clerks and accountants mostly stood. Sitting was slacking to them.

Research supporting continued

Now there is office furniture that allows workers to sit or stand and have adjustable work stations. Such as height adjustable desks to accommodate different heights and weights of a person.

Legal obligations of ergonomics

Citation policy:OSHA will consider evidence before

issuing any citations, whether there are hazards recognized or caused.

Whether feasible means exists to reduce the hazard

Whether the hazard will cause serious harm to employees.

Legal obligations continued

OSHA will not focus its enforcement efforts on employers are making good faith efforts to reduce ergonomic hazards.

If OSHA does no cite an employer and ergonomic hazards exist, it may issue hazard alert letters describing ways to reduce these hazards.

Site list: http://safety.uchicago.edu/tools/faqs/ergonomics.s

html

http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/pdf/ergo/ergoadvantages.pdf

http://www.oehc.uchc.edu/ergo_officeergo2.asp

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/positions.html

http://www.asse.org/practicespecialties/ergonomics/docs/048_050_BPEG_1010Z.pdf

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/business/stand-up-desks-gaining-favor-in-the-workplace.html?_r=0

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/faqs.html