Ergonomics

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Ergonomics

• Making the Environment Fit You

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Ergonomics defined

• A combination of two words from Classical Greek
• Ergon, meaning work
• Nomos, meaning natural laws

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Two aims

• To promote health / reduce injury
• To increase productivity

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Universal Design

• Related concept
• Developed in the 2nd half of the 20th Century
• Evolved from the Barrier-Free design movement

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Focus of Universal Design

• Not just workers
• Not just on the job

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The Study of Ergonomics

• Ergonomists have attempted to define postures
  which minimize unnecessary static work and reduce
  the forces acting on the body.
• All of us could significantly reduce our risk of
  injury if we could adhere to the following
  ergonomic principles
• All work activities should permit the worker to
  adopt several different, but equally healthy and
  safe postures.
• Where muscular force has to be exerted it should
  be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups
  available.
• Work activities should be performed with the
  joints at about mid-point of their range of
  movement. This applies particularly to the head,
  trunk, and upper limbs.
• From http//ergonomics.org/

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Ergonomics and the Geek

• Sitting very still for long periods
• Fixed focus
• Repetitive motion

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Vulnerable Body Parts

• Spine
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Arms
• Elbows

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More Places to Hurt Yourself

• Wrists
• Hands
• Fingers
• Eyes
• Lungs
• Voice/Throat

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Prevention is Better than Pain

• Equipment
• Breaks
• Motion

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Spinal Curves
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Hand and Fingers
http//t0.gstatic.com/images?qtbnANd9GcTvWJuMOxe
fk6aNMLJNhTQNsyZFO7RevFigotqvwSlw120M2msdeA
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Ulnar Nerve

• http//t2.gstatic.com/images?qtbnANd9GcRPyY8sIpQ
  FEuLKw7eq1Lm61AkW-JwrlKxyE-_FVARSX7VUdQ9f2g

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Median Nerve

• http//t0.gstatic.com/images?qtbnANd9GcTvWJuMOxe
  fk6aNMLJNhTQNsyZFO7RevFigotqvwSlw120M2msdeA

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Carpal Tunnel
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Shopping Sites

• www.goldviolin.com 
• www.ncmedical.com
• http//www.ssww.com/therapy-and-rehab/aids-to-livi
  ng/?brws_posTOP
• www.pfot.com
• http//www.workrave.org/download/