11 I T V E T Ergonomics

ErgonomicsErgonomics

OH&S - ITVETOH&S - ITVET

ErgonomicsErgonomics

►Definition – THIS IS A KEY TERMDefinition – THIS IS A KEY TERM►Ergonomics is the study of the Ergonomics is the study of the

relationship between humans and relationship between humans and their environmenttheir environment

►Specifically in doing ‘work’Specifically in doing ‘work’►Work means ‘effort’, not just to earn Work means ‘effort’, not just to earn

money but in using tools, equipment money but in using tools, equipment that assists our daily lives.that assists our daily lives.

Ergonomics and ITErgonomics and IT

►70% of the work force now sits on the 70% of the work force now sits on the job, many in front of computers. job, many in front of computers.

►With so much work being done in a With so much work being done in a seated position today, a comfortable seated position today, a comfortable workstation is of greater importance workstation is of greater importance than ever before.than ever before.

►Poor sitting posture and poorly Poor sitting posture and poorly designed workspaces are major causes designed workspaces are major causes of neck and back pain, which are the of neck and back pain, which are the main reasons for lost work time. main reasons for lost work time.

Physiological RationalePhysiological Rationale

► The human body was not designed to sit for The human body was not designed to sit for extended periods of time, or work in extended periods of time, or work in awkward positions that contract or stretch awkward positions that contract or stretch muscles. muscles.

► Unfortunately, most jobs today require Unfortunately, most jobs today require people to perform such people to perform such

► A well-designed workstation and proper A well-designed workstation and proper sitting postures are essential in reducing sitting postures are essential in reducing and preventing potential problems caused and preventing potential problems caused by the demands of today's jobs. by the demands of today's jobs.

Your working environmentYour working environment

►You should have a large enough You should have a large enough workspace that allows you to avoid workspace that allows you to avoid improper postures in answering the improper postures in answering the phone, moving files from cabinets, etc phone, moving files from cabinets, etc

►Your telephone should be positioned Your telephone should be positioned within reach of your non-dominant within reach of your non-dominant hand.hand.

►This allows your dominant hand to This allows your dominant hand to perform activities while holding the perform activities while holding the phone in your non-dominant hand. phone in your non-dominant hand.

►The use of telephone headsets The use of telephone headsets (earphones) is preferred because they (earphones) is preferred because they allow both hands to be free and bad allow both hands to be free and bad neck postures are avoidedneck postures are avoided

Beyond the DeskBeyond the Desk

►When using a computer terminal, When using a computer terminal, overhead lighting should come from the overhead lighting should come from the side and not directly above the terminalside and not directly above the terminal

►Noise due to vents, phones, printers, Noise due to vents, phones, printers, and co-workers talking should be and co-workers talking should be minimizedminimized

►Temperature and air quality should be Temperature and air quality should be controlledcontrolled

Improved EquipmentImproved Equipment

►Tops of computer terminals should be Tops of computer terminals should be at eye level, keyboards angled, at eye level, keyboards angled, movable, and mouse pads installedmovable, and mouse pads installed

►Computer terminals should be Computer terminals should be equipped with glare protection screensequipped with glare protection screens

►Many employers do not invest in Many employers do not invest in additional or deluxe equipment due to additional or deluxe equipment due to the added costthe added cost

Sitting PostureSitting Posture

► Sitting posture while at your computer Sitting posture while at your computer should be as follows: should be as follows:

► feet flat on floorfeet flat on floor► knees at 90 degree angleknees at 90 degree angle► back resting against back of chair with back resting against back of chair with

lumbar roll supporting spinelumbar roll supporting spine► shoulders relaxedshoulders relaxed► elbows at 90 degree angleelbows at 90 degree angle►wrists in neutral positionwrists in neutral position

WristsWrists

►Wrists should Wrists should notnot be supported on be supported on edge of table, but can be supported on edge of table, but can be supported on palms or on wrist supportspalms or on wrist supports

Working with documentsWorking with documents

►Document holders should be at eye Document holders should be at eye level to avoid eye muscle fatiguelevel to avoid eye muscle fatigue

►Head should be kept in neutral Head should be kept in neutral positionposition

Research Task – 4 LessonsResearch Task – 4 Lessons

►Using the worksheet/internet to help you, Using the worksheet/internet to help you, create a presentation that you might give create a presentation that you might give to a business to explain the hazards and to a business to explain the hazards and risks of using risks of using laptop and notebooklaptop and notebook computers.computers.

►Explain how to minimise or eliminate the Explain how to minimise or eliminate the hazards and riskshazards and risks

►Explain the importance or ERGONOMICSExplain the importance or ERGONOMICS►Assume the audience has ‘no idea’Assume the audience has ‘no idea’