Best practices of ergonomic at work place

Lee Shyu Yuan 25 June 2013

Ergonomic related guidelines from DOSH website

Awkward Postures Postures that strain the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, or back.
Bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching, are examples of awkward postures.
Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Power Grip The hand grip that provides maximum hand power for high force tasks.

All the fingers wrap around the handle.

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Contact pressure Pressure from a hand surface, point, or edge on any part of the body

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Pinch Grip The hand grip that provides control for precision and accuracy. The tool is gripped between the thumb and fingertips
Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Single- handle tools Tube-like tools measured by handle length and diameter. Diameter: The length of a straight line through the center of the handle.
Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Double-handle Tools Plier-like tools measured by handle length and grip span.
Grip Span: The distance between the thumb and fingers when the tool jaws are open or closed.

Best tool is one that: Fits the job you are doing Fits the work space available Reduce the force you need to apply Fits your hand Can be used in a comfortable work position

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

How do you know if you have a problem? Tingling Swelling in joints Decrease ability to move Decrease grip strength Pain from movement, pressure, or exposure to cold or vibration Continuous muscle fatigue Sore muscles Numbness Change in the skin colour of your hand or fingertips.

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

How do you know if you have a problem? Continuous muscle fatigue Sore muscles Numbness Change in the skin colour of your hand or fingertips.

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Reduce your risk of injury by Knowing your job Look at your work space Improve work posture Select the right tool

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Know your job Cutting, pinching, gripping tools

Pliers Snips cutters

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Striking tools

hammer

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Driving tools

Screwdrivers Hand wrenches Nut drivers T-handle wrenches

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Struck or hammered tools

Punches Chisels Nail sets

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Look at your work space Select a tool with power grip

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

 Use short-handle tool that can help you reach your target directly as keep your wrist straight.

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Improve your work posture

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Select the right tool when force is applied horizontally (in the same direction as your straight forearm and wrist)

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

 when the force is applied vertically.

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

 Select a tool with a handle length longer than the widest part of your hand

Source: CDC Guideline ergonomic hand tool

Risk factors on poor seating posture:

Forward head (head protruded forward) Extension of the head (i.e. head tilted upward) Rounded or slumped shoulders Back slumped (with flattening of the lumbar curve) Hips flexed above 90 degrees Knees flexed beyond 90 degrees Feet not flat on the floor or foot rest

source: Pain-Free at You PC; Pete Egoscue

Classic mistakes people make in their seating position

Strain on your lower back as your spine must carry all of the weight of your upper torso and can be further aggravated by tucking your feet under your chair

source: www.khulsey.com

Classic mistakes people make in their seating position

Reclining position puts strain on both your neck and lower back, especially if your chair does not have proper lumbar support. Poor viewing angle of the monitor and negatively effect your arm and wrist position in relation to the desk and keyboard.

source: www.khulsey.com

Good seating posture

Proper alignment between your head, torso, legs, and arms. Upper body in perfect vertical alignment

Forearms as horizontal as possible to avoid wrist strain.

Reduce side glare from the reflective surface of the screen Adjustable chair and footrest

source: www.khulsey.com

Good Standing Posture

Shoulder joint aligned so the upper arm is aligned vertically with the trunk in a relaxed position

The elbow should be straight and in-line with the forearms

Lighting ergonomic

Proper lighting makes all work tasks easier.

People receive about 85 percent of their information through their sense of sight.
Appropriate lighting, without glare or shadows, can reduce eye fatigue and headaches.

Conveyor workstations Reduce the risks of musculoskeletal injuries in repetitive & manual tasks

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is developed when workers must use uncomfortable and/or awkward postures for long periods while working

Thermal Comfort Person wearing a normal amount of clothing feels neither too cold nor too warm. Thermal comfort is important both for one's well-being and for productivity. It can be achieved only when the air temperature, humidity and air movement are within the specified range often referred to as the "comfort zone".

Thermal Comfort 21 to 23 degrees Celsius provides the best air temperature for maximum worker productivity. < 20% humidity : discomfort through drying of the mucous membranes and skin. >70% may : development of condensation on surfaces and within the interior of equipment and building structures

Back belt
Reduce the forces on the spine, increase intraabdominal pressure, stiffen the spine and reduce loads during lifting.

Avoid awkward postures and heavy loads, reduce bending motions and in the end, reduce injuries in certain workplaces.

Proper sitting technique

Lumbar support for driving

Why Stretch? Prevent injury and promote better health Increase flexibility Increase circulation
Prepares joints, muscles, tendons, and nerves for activity

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Ergonomic newsletter

Any ergonomic risk factors Force? Repetition Awkward posture?

Understand the root cause and plan of action to remove risk factors.

How to start? 1. Listen to the employee and understand the problems they are having. 2. Review self-care program and injury prevention tools. 3. Evaluate the job for causative ergonomic risk factors. 4. Rinse and Repeat Follow up on a weekly basis