ن م حّ ر ل ه ا ل ل م ا س ب ن م حّ ر ل ه ا ل ل م ا س ب م ي حّ ر ل ا م ي حّ ر ل اHow we can prevent MSDs ?
Using Ergonomics’ principles.
Science of fitting the job to the worker
Reduces exposure to MSD risk factors
Involves engineering and administrative controls
Ergonomics
What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the discipline that matches the job to the worker
and product to the user.
Relation between pain and work experience
0102030405060708090
100
pain complaint
0-1year2years3years4years5yearsabove 5 years
Relation between pain and work’s hours
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%
pain complaint
1 till 5 per day
5 till 10 per day
10 till 15 perday
Who’s At Risk?
Nearly everyone, but women report more incidents of discomfort
Low motivation
Poor workstation design
Workstation Design
Chairs Monitors Keyboards Pointer/Mouse Wrist/Palm Support Document Holders Desks Telephones Footrests
Computer Monitor
Directly in front of you
Arm’s length away Proper height Documents placed
close to monitor
It is observed that
occurrence of visual
problem is related more to number of hours spent
gazing at the screen than
number of years
PreventionTask rotationGet a professional eye examinationControl the lights & the monitor
Enough light on documentsEliminate glare
Rearrange the workstation Anti-glare screen
Eye Strain
Appropriate BreaksAppropriate Breaks Breaks are not always rest periods
Balance work activities with worker “biorhythms”
Change position and tasks at least every two hours
Tasks must use different muscle groups and vary requirements for posture, pinch and grip
TemperatureTemperature
At 18.8 degrees Celsius workers typed 54 percent of the time and with a 25 percent error rate. When the temperature was raised 25 degrees Celsius the workers were typing 100 percent of the time and with a 10 percent error rate.
Low back painLow back pain
When these curves become either exaggerated or flattened, the spine increasingly depends on muscles, ligaments and soft tissue to maintain erect.
Ergonomic Chair: Seat Surface
Comfortable Slightly wider
than hips/thighs Proper length Adjustable height Adjustable tilt
Ergonomic Chair: Back and Armrest
Backrest Angle adjustable Adjustable lumbar support Armrest Broad and cushioned Supports shoulders,
elbows and wrists Adjustable height and side-to-side
Computer Workstation: Legs and Feet
Knees bent about 90 degrees
Thighs parallel to the floor Chair at comfortable
height Remove any obstructions
to your legs and feet
Ergonomic Risk Factors
1. Repetitive Motions 2. Forceful Exertions3. Awkward Postures4. Contact Stress
Common MSDs
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (wrist)
Tendinitis Tenosynovitis
(thumb) Cubital Tunnel
(elbow) Trigger Finger
Task Rotation & BreaksSome companies have actually installed software that “shuts down” the system for regular breaks
Other companies have organized or signaled breaks
These can be aggravating, as they interrupt a task in progress
Neutral Keyboard Position
Elbows close to the body
Wrists flat and in line with the forearms
Hands not angled up/down or turned in/out
No wrist rests when typing
Adjustable Keyboard
Height adjustable In a tilting
keyboard tray Detachable from the
computer monitor Keystroke pressure
comfortable for the user
Using a Mouse
Control mouse movement from your elbow
Wrist straight and neutral
Locate mouse close to you with no reach
Float mouse – Do Not Grip the mouse
Desks
Work Surface Depth Location of Frequently Used Devices Should be Located in
Repetitive Access Zone
Recommended Zones for Workplace Components
•A proper understanding of ergonomics is critical.
•“Matches” is the key word. It means that ergonomics is process, not a product.