OFFICE ERGONOMICSPresented by: Scott D. Cole, COSS, ASP

OBJECTIVES

Introduction to Ergonomics Overview of Ergonomic Risk Factors Basic Ergonomic Design Principles How to Arrange Your Workspace

ERGONOMICS

The science of adjusting and arranging the environment to fit the employee. Visual and musculoskeletal

discomfort and fatigue are eliminated or reduced.

DIFFERENCES

RISK FACTORS

Repetition A task or a series of motions performed over and

over Forceful Exertions

Amount of physical effort required to perform a task

Awkward Postures Reaching, bending, twisting, holding fixed

positions Contact Stress

Exposure of a body part to a hard or sharp surface repetitively or forcefully at a workstation or tool

ELIMINATE REPETITION

Take frequent, short breaks Drink water Vary tasks throughout your day

ELIMINATE FORCEFUL EXERTIONS

Keyboard strokes Pushing and pulling

ELIMINATE AWKWARD POSTURES

Telephone Document References Chair Keyboard Mouse Visual Display Unit Desk

ELIMINATE CONTACT STRESS

Desk Chair Mouse Keyboard

STANDING NEUTRAL

THE NEUTRAL SEATED POSITION

THE CHAIR

Seat Pan Provides support, waterfall design, adequate hip

room. Height

Adjustable? Feet firmly on the ground. Lumbar Support Back Rest

Large enough to provide mid to upper support. Armrests

Adjustable, padded and contoured. 5 Spokes for Stability

EXAMPLE OF A GOOD CHAIR

THE KEYBOARD

THE KEYBOARD

THE KEYBOARD

THE KEYBOARD

THE KEYBOARD

KEYBOARD PLACEMENT AND POSITIONING

Just above the user’s lap – 1”- 2” above the thighs

Lettered portion of the keyboard centered with the visual display unit

The letter “H” should be aligned with the user’s bellybutton

At a negative slope

THE MOUSE

THE MOUSE

THE MOUSE

MOUSE PLACEMENT AND POSITIONING

Mouse from the elbow Eliminate the numeric keypad At a negative slope Avoid wrist wrests

THE DESK

Consider the user(s) 28” – 30” above the floor Deep enough to accommodate all equipment

and processing information Make it adjustable, if possible Rolled edges

THE VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT

THE VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT

THE VISUAL DISPLAY UNIT (VDU)

Eliminate glare Arm’s length away or more Centered in front of the user (duel VDU

exemption) Bottom of the VDU tilted towards the user VDU should be as low as possible, 15 – 50

degrees below horizontal eye level

LIGHTING

Indirect lighting Control outside lighting with blinds and

shades Keep ambient light levels low and

supplement with task lighting Position the VDT so that it is parallel with the

fluorescent tube

THANK YOU

Presented by: Scott D. Cole, COSS, ASP

OFFICE ERGONOMICS