• "Study of work"• Ergonomics is the science of removing

barriers to quality, productivity and human performance by fitting products, tasks and environments to people.

• Late 19th century:• Equipment considerations• Process considerations

• World War II:• Sophisticated aircraft

• Current:• Ergonomics is an important tool in the

professional world that can save businesses money

• Decrease risk of injury• Enhance productivity and efficiency• Improve quality of work life

• Research I education• M.S., Ph.D.

• Practicing• Physical & Occupational therapists• Nurses & Doctors• Chiropractors• Biomechanists

• Board of Certified Professional Ergonomists• Certified Professional Ergonomists• Certified Industrial Ergonomists

• Analyze opportunities for equipment changes & modifications

• Engineer out poor equipment design• Teach low risk body mechanics• (Verify compliance)

• Temperature• Lighting• Noise

• Posture• Force• Velocity I Accelerati

on• Repetition• Duration• Recovery time

• Wrist• Flexion I extension• Ulnar I radial

deviation• Shoulder abduction• Neck

• Flexion I extension• Lateral flexion

• Low back• Bending• twisting

• Identification of risk factors• Location of equipment• Type of equipment• Pre-existing physical conditions

• Quantification of risk factors• Question worker about work habits• Observation

• Environment• Temperature• Light• Noise

• Tools• Computers• Chairs• Phones• Machinery

• Physical characteristics

• Height• Weight• Strength• Range of Motion

• Nature of Work• How much and how

often of what task(s)

• Engineering Controls

• Follow ups

• Equipment changes I modifications• Modification of how the equipment is used• Can only assist in promoting proper behaviors

• Administrative Controls• Increasing frequency of breaks• Reduce time spent on a particular type of task.

• Work Practice Controls• Ergonomic training

• GOAL: NEUTRAL BODY ALIGNMENT

• Top of monitor at eye level

• Go from the ground up:• Feet flat on floor• Hip at 90-100 degrees• Back straight and supported• Upper arm nearly vertical• Elbow at 70-135 degrees

• Float elbows I forearms above arm restsand other surfaces

• While typing or mousing, float wrists above surface

• When not typing or mousing, rest lateral- edge of hand on a soft surface

• Use knowledge of person, tasks and behaviors to match environment to person

• Arrange items so that time spent in a neutral posture is maximized

• Use alternative equipment to promote the use of low risk behavior

• USE LOW RISK BEHAVIOR

• 32 - 40-ish hours per week• Great opportunity for Pre- PT's I OT's or anyone

with a strong background I interest in biomechanics

• Contact:• Sue Patenaude, MA, PT, CIE

• Agilent US Ergonomic Program Vendor• Fax: (831) 630-1717• sue@ergovalley.com

• Influence of lumbar support more important than particular angle , backrest inclination or height of support

• Back pressure higher in sitting than standing

• · Pg 304 different forces in diff postures

• Less emg when there was a back support

• Shoulder angles and hand angles an EMG pg 310

• Comfort defined as the absence of discomfort