ERGONOMICS PROBLEMS IN THE WORKPLACE

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ERGONOMICS PROBLEMS IN THE WORKPLACE
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LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
First Aid
Occupational Safety Health Act 1994
Safety Health Policy
Accident Reporting
Safety Health Committees
Safety Health Training
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Ergonomic

• ERGO (work and effort) NOMOS (law or
  surroundings) Law of work
• the science on how to fit a system to a person
  using scientific approach
• Fitting the task and working environment to the
  workers

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OSHA 1994

• Third objective of the Act
• Work environment that is adapted to the
  physiological and psychological needs of the
  worker

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The Need for Ergonomic

• To maintain and maximize productivity and
  competitiveness
• Ever efficient workplace (simple to human
  workers)
• Achievable Quality (within the human physical and
  mental capacity)
• Safety ( to minimize unsafe acts)
• Health (to minimize acute and chronic injuries)

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MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASE
DISABILITY
Disorders, Injury, Diseases
PRONOUNCED SYMPTOMS
Soreness, Aches Pains -Affecting Performance
MINOR SYMPTOMS
Occ. movement problem, Minor aches,Fatigue,
Discomfort -Considered Normal
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Ergonomic Risk Factors

• Static position
• same position held for extended periods without
  movement
• Lack of recovery
• when cumulative fatigue exist
• Contact stress
• soft tissues pressed against a hard object

• Force
• amount of force required to perform task
• Frequency
• repetition of similar actions without rest
• Awkward position
• other parts of the body are tense not due to work
  but maintaining posture

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OFFICE ENVIRONMENT HEALTH
Temperature
Lighting
Humidity
Color
Ventilation
Office Floor Space
Contaminated Air
Welfare Facilities
Smoking
Cleanliness
Ozone/Photocopiers
Sick Building Syndrome
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SAFETY IN THE OFFICE
Emergencies
Office Accidents
Manual Handling
Stress
Transport
Work Equipment
Chemical
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Computer Work Station

• Typing Injuries
• Eye Strain
• Back Pain
• Psychological Stress

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KEYBOARD EQUIPMENT
Using a Mouse
Workstation Checklist for Keyboard Workers
Keyboard Equipment and Radiation
Keyboard and Telephone Operations
Workstation Dimensions
Lighting for VDUs
Glare Reflection
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TYPING POSITION
WRONG
CORRECT
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Neutral Posture
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REST BREAKS EXERCISE
Muscle Care Preparation
Rest Breaks Keyboard Work
Eye Strain
Exercises for Rest Breaks
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EXERCISE -reduce muscle fatigue -improve
circulation
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Visual Discomfort

• ICT era- widespread use of computer/video display
  terminals (VDT)
• Commonplace office work, engineering,
  architecture---- personal use
• Importance of visual comfort
• enhance job performance productivity

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Eye Muscles
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Common Eye Symptoms

• Occurs when the visual demands of the task exceed
  the visual abilities
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Eye strain
• Headache
• Red/sore eyes

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Causes of Visual Discomfort

• High visual demand
• Sustain, close-screen work visual fatigue
• Less short breaks
• Non ergonomic work station
• Ambient lighting, VDT brightness/contrast, glare
• Refractive errors (uncorrected)
• Radiation?
• Non conclusive

EYE FATIGUE
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Ergonomic Work Station

• VDT monitor and screen brightness, contrast,
  text size
• Glare prevention
• Good lighting

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Good Work Practice

• Maintain correct working distance- physiological
  resting accommodations and vergence
• Regular blinking of the eyes- minimize excessive
  tear evaporation
• Take frequent and regular short breaks- enough
  time for eye muscle to recover (STOP, LOOK AWAY
  BLINK)
• Adopt good work posture
• Reference materials placed close to the screen
• Choose proper spectacles or lenses

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Back Pain and Manual Handling

• Manual handling- strength and power to lift
  up/down, push, pull, carry, transfer or hold
  objects
• it increases risk of back pain
• heavy load
• non neutral position (bending, twisting)
• increase stress to the back
• physical load- acute and chronic effect to back
  pain

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Participatory Ergonomic Approach

• Joint employee-employer involvement in planning
  and executing ergonomic activities
• Task specific- small group
• Based at each worksite
• Both sides should maintain periodic communication