ERGONOMICS 101AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS (I.S.)

What is Ergonomics?

Ergonomics and Information Systems

Best Practices /Recommendations

WHAT IS ERGONOMICSErgonomics is defined as the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment.

The emphasis within ergonomics is to ensure that designs complement the strengths and abilities of people and minimize the effects of their limitations, rather than forcing them to adapt.

ERGONOMICS AND I.S. STATSERGONOMICS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE INFORMATION BASED WORKPLACE. MOST INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS WORK IN ENVIRONMENTS WHERE REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES OR RSI’S ARE A CONCERN.

A STUDY OF INFORMATION WORKERS HAS THE FOLLOWING RESULTS.

• 71 % OF INDIVIDUALS HAD VISUAL ISSUES AFTER WORKING ON COMPUTERS FOR 8 HOURS PER DAY

• 78% OF INDIVIDUALS HAD MUSCULOSKELETAL (BONE/MUSCLE) ISSUES

• 35% OF PEOPLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH STRESS

• COMPUTER RELATED PROBLEMS WERE FOUND IN 93 PERCENT OF PEOPLE

BEST PRACTICES

• KEEP INFORMED!

• WATCH FOR CORPORATE INFORMATION SIMILAR TO THIS WIKI EXAMPLE.

• FOLLOW RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE RSI AND STRAIN.

• BE AWARE OF HOW YOU WORK.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING EYE STRAIN• Sitting between 18–28 inches (45-72cm) from your computer

screen is the optimal distance for being able to view all of your information on your screen, but not causing eye strain

• Adjust/reposition monitor to reduce the glare from overhead lights .

• Position top of monitor at eye level or slightly below.

• If you quite often find yourself straining, increase the font size or resolution on your computer to make the view larger

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING RSI

• TAKE A BREAK ONCE PER HOUR TO GET UP, AND STRETCH

• CONSIDER USING A HEADSET VS HOLDING THE PHONE UP TO YOUR EAR IF

• MAKE CERTAIN YOUR FEET REST FLAT ON THE FLOOR, IF NOT, ADJUST YOUR CHAIR TO SO THAT YOU DO.

• PUT REGULARLY USED ITEMS WITHIN ARMS REACH, SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STRETCH OUT TO GET THINGS

• NOTIFY SUPERVISOR IF CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR WORK AREA

• PRACTICE GOOD POSTURE (SEE IMAGE)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRETCHING

Lower Back Stretch Upper Back Stretch

Finger Stretch Wrist StretchNeck Stretch

Shoulder Roll

BEST PRACTICES FOR EMPLOYERS

• 1. ENGAGE EMPLOYEES. EMPLOYEES MUST BE FULLY TRAINED ON SOFTWARE TO MITIGATE INJURIES FROM IMPROPER USE. INJURIES ARE MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS NOT PROPERLY TRAINED ON HOW TO USE A PIECE OF SOFTWARE. EVEN WITH THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TRAINING, THERE IS STILL A POSSIBILITY FOR INJURY BUT THE INJURIES WILL BE LESS SEVERE.

• 2. AUTOMATE RISK MITIGATION. WITH AUTOMATED ERGONOMIC PROGRAMS THERE IS LESS CHANCE FOR MISTAKE. WITH THAT SAID, THERE DOES HAVE TO BE SOME KIND OF CUSTOMIZATION THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE AUTOMATION. THE CUSTOMIZATION SHOULD BE GEARED TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS AND THE OUTCOME OF USING AUTOMATION.

• 3. FOCUS RESOURCES. HERE YOU WILL WANT TO IDENTIFY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ENGAGED AND MOTIVATED AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO HELP MITIGATE INJURY.

• 4. OPTIMIZE CASE MANAGEMENT. THIS PRACTICE INVOLVES TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PROGRAMS ITSELF TO SEE WHERE INJURY COULD OCCUR. AFTER A POTENTIAL INJURY HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO NUMBER THREE IN THE BEST PRACTICES AND FOCUS SOME RESOURCES ON HOW TO ELIMINATE OR MITIGATE THE POSSIBLE INJURY. SOME EXAMPLES TO LOOK FOR WOULD BE MISSED FOLLOW UP TASKS, MISSED CONFIGURATIONS, AND THE RIGHT USE OF THE SOFTWARE.

REFERENCES• T, KAREN. "FOUR BEST PRACTICES FOR OFFICE ERGONOMICS PROGRAMS - RSIGUARD." RSIGUARD RSS. SPRING CONSULTING GROUP, LLC, 12 MAY

2014. WEB. 15 FEB. 2015. <HTTP://RSIGUARD.REMEDYINTERACTIVE.COM/FOUR-BEST-PRACTICES-OFFICE-ERGONOMICS-PROGRAMS/>.

• OFFICE ERGO | ERGONOMICS TRAINING FOR THE COMPUTER USER. (N.D.). RETRIEVED FEBRUARY 13, 2015, FROM HTTP://OFFICE-ERGO.COM/

• NINE OFFICE ATHLETE STRETCHES. (N.D.). RETRIEVED FEBRUARY 14, 2015, FROM HTTP://OFFICEATHLETE.COM/ERGONOMICS/NINE_STRETCHES_AND_ALTERNATIVE_INSTRUCTIONS/NINESTRETCHESANDALTERNATIVEINSTRUCTIONS.HTM

• OFFICE ERGONOMICS: PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR A SAFER WORKPLACE. (2002, FEBRUARY 1). RETRIEVED FEBRUARY 14, 2015, FROM HTTP://WWW.LNI.WA.GOV/FORMPUB/DETAIL.ASP?DOCID=1761

• OSHA ERGONOMIC SOLUTIONS: COMPUTER WORKSTATIONS ETOOL. (N.D.). RETRIEVED FEBRUARY 14, 2015, FROM HTTPS://WWW.OSHA.GOV/SLTC/ETOOLS/COMPUTERWORKSTATIONS/

• (N.D.). RETRIEVED FEBRUARY 21, 2015, FROM HTTP://WWW.MERRIAM-WEBSTER.COM/DICTIONARY/ERGONOMICS

• WHAT IS ERGONOMICS? (N.D.). RETRIEVED FEBRUARY 21, 2015, FROM HTTP://WWW.ERGONOMICS.ORG.UK/LEARNING/WHAT-ERGONOMICS/