computer workstation safety overvie · musculoskeletal overuse injuries (rsis, msds) e.g. carpal...
TRANSCRIPT
Computer Workstation Safety
Overview
Mike Papakyriakou
Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)
yorku.ca/ergo
Phone: 416-736-5491 E-mail: [email protected]
Revised Sep 05, 2013
Musculoskeletal Overuse Injuries (RSIs,
MSDs) e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome
6 weeks post surgery
Musculoskeletal Overuse Injuries (RSIs, MSDs)
Image source: www.spokanerisk.org/Safety.htm
Prevention is best treatment
Learn symptoms
Take corrective action early
Discomfort Pain Disability
Symptoms
Some or all of the following:
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness or clumsiness in hands; dropping things
• Pain
• Stiffness
• Burning sensation
• Heaviness
• Swelling
• Redness
Sample Agenda for Staff Meeting
• What are MSDs
• Checklist Reference Material
• Work Organization (1st few slides)
• Chair Adjustments
• Keyboard Adjustments
• Process for getting more help
7
Injury Prevention: Vary Activities
• we’re not designed for this
Image source: weblog.infoworld.com/openresource/archives/2007/06/
Varying activities: switch tasks
Intermittent standing/walking tasks are best
Switching tasks/activities at
home
Alternate activities that are
NOT recommended
How to vary activities #2
same task, different
muscles
–e-mail or phone/visit
same task, different muscles
mouse or keyboard
same task, different muscles (con’d)
switch hands
–mouse
Switch hands
Briefcase
Purse
Backpack
etc
Can you turn sitting tasks into
standing/walking tasks?
How to vary activities #3
Image source: www.shelterpub.com/_fitness/_desk_stretches/stretches_graphic.html
Stretch
(think
opposite)
“I don’t have time to rest (switch
tasks, stretch, etc)!” T
issu
e act
ivit
y l
evel
Time
Alternate activity (Recovery periods)
Activity Activity Activity Activity
Tis
sue
act
ivit
y l
evel
Time
Alternate activity (Recovery periods)
10
minutes
60
minutes
10
seconds 5
minutes
How often? How long?
Short activities = short recovery times
Long activities = much longer recovery times
Don’t wait for discomfort
Injury Prevention: Physical Fitness
• Diet
• Rest
• Exercise
Injury Prevention:
Workstation/Body Mechanics
Mouse position
Demo: hand far vs close Image source: www.hp.com/ergo
Hand posture/worksurface height
Demo-wiggle fingers
Image source: www.hp.com/ergo
Set seat height 1st:
Keyboard/mouse not at the right height and your
heels are on the floor?
keyboard/mouse
Lower keyboard
keyboard
What if you can’t lower keyboard (i.e not
adjustable)?
keyboard
Raise chair
keyboard
…and get a footrest
Desk/Chair adjustments
If unsure, check
instructions or ask…
–Co-worker
–Supervisor
–HSO
–OHS
Chair/desk not the right height
& not adjustable?
Touch typists Not touch typists
Document position
Holding telephone handset
Monitor position
Image source: www.hp.com/ergo
Monitor Height
35
Monitor Height (too high)
36
Notebooks, Netbooks, Cellphones, etc
Image source: http://geektyrant.com/news/2010/7/12/paramount-pictures-to-
develop-hunchback-of-notre-dame-action.html
Prolonged postures may become your
“normal” postures
Prevention is the best treatment!
Physical fitness
Vary activities
Proper workstation setup
Proper body mechanics
Learn software shortcuts
Early intervention
Implementing Changes
• Plan carefully, changes may create new problems
• Step by step (don't change everything at once)
• Be patient, any change may feel uncomfortable
initially
?
Computer Workstation Overview A printable version of this slide is online.
Body parts & what makes them happy
Workstation Tips
Eyes: Looking at objects far away. Blinking.
Tilt screen for easiest reading. Test screen closer or farther away. Use bigger fonts.
Neck: Looking straight ahead, not up or down or twisted.
Top of screen below eye level, directly in front of you. Paper documents close to screen and upright. Use your hand to hold the phone not your head and shoulder. Learn to touch type.
Shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers: Upper arms vertical. Elbows close to side. Forearms parallel to ground or sloping slightly down. Wrists straight. Fingers curled.
Set keyboard platform height & angle to match forearm angle and allow hands to float. Mouse on same level and close to keyboard (ideally on the left). Armrests supportive yet allow elbows to swing freely.
Low back: Natural curve Set seat height so knees are at hip level or slightly lower, feet flat on the floor or footrest. Seat/backrest angle so torso/upper leg angle is 90-115 degrees. Backrest height provides support for curve
Whole body: Movement Don’t sit too long. Stretch. Be active.
Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention
Classes
1) Computer Workstation Safety
2) Back Safety Supplement
Prerequisite:
Computer Workstation Safety
Offered monthly
Check website/contact me for upcoming dates
Image source: usachppm.apgea.army.mil/ergopgm
Back Safety Supplement – reducing back injury
risk at home, work and play
Questions?
• yorku.ca/ergo
• Presentation slides (Site index)
• Computer Workstation Safety Overview
• More online information
• Independent Learning Module/Quiz