A report Submitted in partial fulfillment for the

Requirement of Dissertation.
FACULTY GUIDE:
Dr. SUMEET SINGH JASIAL

AUTHORS:
RAVI ARORA

Assistant professor
raviarora4060@gmail.com

Amity University

099891887668

UMANG MEHRA
Umangmehra502@gmail.com
09999042297
TARUN SALGOTRA
salgotratarun@gmail.com

09811964192

INDEX
CHAPTER
CH-1

CH-2

CH-3

TOPIC
Introduction
Importance
Ergonomics focus
Effects of Ergonomics
Ergonomics stress area
Controlling measures
Ergonomically designed
work station
Improving ergonomics
process
About DELL
Working environment at
DELL
GAP analysis
Suggestions and
recommendations
Conclusion

PAGE NO.
4
5
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7-8
9
10-13
14-16
17
19
20
22
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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
Ergonomics as it is applied to work is fitting the task to the person. It deals with the interaction
of work, technology and humans. Ergonomics applies human sciences like
anatomy, psychology and psychology to the design of the work environment and
jobs, and objects and equipment used in work. The objective of ergonomics is to make the
best use of employees capabilities while maintaining the employees health and
wellbeing. The job should never limit the employee or compromise an employees
capabilities or physical and mental health because of poor job design. Good ergonomics
shortens learning times; makes the job easier with less fatigue; improves equipment
maintenance; reduces absenteeism, labor turnover, and job stress and injury;
and meets legislative requirements for health and safety. In order to achieve these objectives,
the job activity must be carefully analyzed, and the demands placed on the employee
must be understood. The contribution of anatomy in ergonomics is the
improvement of the physical aspect of the job: achieving a good physical fit
between the employee and the things the employee uses on
the job whether its a hand tool,a computer,a video camera,a fork-lift,or a lathe.
Physiology is concerned with how the body functions. It addresses the energy
required from the employee to do the job as well as the acceptable workload
and work rate, and the physical working conditionsheat, cold, light, noise,
vibration and space. Psychology is concerned with the human mind. Its objective is
to create a good psychological fit between the employee and the job.
DEFINITION
According to International Labor Organization, ergonomics is the application of
the human biological sciences in conjunction with engineering sciences to the
worker and his working environment, so as to obtain maximum satisfaction for the
worker and at the same time enhance productivity.

IMPORTANCE
Generally people prefer a workplaces with more comfort, safety, simple and easy
to use, the one with healthy environment and productive but it can be only possible
with the science and art of ergonomic design.
Ergonomics focuses on people This particular concept is considered to be
people oriented. Almost in all aspect individuals vary in their characteristics, looks,
behavior and style. Ergonomics aims at developing a system that recognizes
individual differences in every sphere from size to skills, from work styles to their
respective trait.
Performance and productivity enhancement- Whenever comprehensive
ergonomics is applied at workplace performance of the employees tends to
increase and which improve overall effectiveness and productivity of the
organization. Comprehensive ergonomics aims at developing overall workplace
from development task designing to overall sustainable working environment. It
also consists of developing a plan which covers tools and technological aspect to
reduce the ill effects on workers health.
Training and development- Ergonomics may be inborn but people still need to be
aware about how to use features by keeping in mind how some behaviors increase
risk of injury. An organizational change does bring change in people behavior to a
large extent. So, in order to minimize negative affect and maximize overall
productive output and positive effect, communication through effective ergonomic
training can bring downfall in employee illness due to working.
Higher saving- Good ergonomics programs always generates more benefits in
terms of both monitory and non-monitory terms and reduces overall expenses for
both organizations as well as for employees.

ERGONOMICS FOCUS

THE TOOLS

THE TASK
WORKER

THE WORK STATION

AND
ENVIRONMENT

When focusing on the tool, the task, and the environment organization tends to find
the best combination for their employees (the user/operator). If the right
combination is not attained then ergonomic problems may arise which may lead to
overall downfall in organizational productivity which may result in immediate or
long-term damage to muscles, nerves, tendons, and joints. So, if proper workplace
is not developed it may lead to employees injury which in turn increases
employees absenteeism, leave and turnover or reduction in their performance and
thus affecting overall organizational productivity and working.

EFFECTS OF ERGONOMICS
1. Cumulative Trauma Disorders: - A cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), is
defined as the excessive damage of tendons, muscles and sensitive nerve tissue
caused by continuous use over an extended period of time. CTDs can develop from
improper work positioning, repetition or force during the course of work.
At the place of work it is generally caused by: Awkward posture and position like bent wrists, elbows held away from the
body, outstretched arms or slumped shoulders
Repetitive action from typing, keying and sorting operations
Use of excessive force when typing ergonomically designed system and
taught position.

2. REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURIES: - also known as repetitive stress injury is

a general term encompassing injuries that affect tendons, muscles, nerves and soft
tissues. These types of injuries cause continual and recurring pain most often in the
neck, shoulders, hands, wrists and lower limbs and which takes a savior face with
time. Jobs that require employees to perform the same type of task over a period of
time, including working on assembly lines or using a computer all day, can result
in RSIs. A work which involves high computer involvement there has resulted in
injuries of the hands, arms, shoulders, backs and neck's. Thousands of repeated
keystrokes and long periods of clutching and dragging with the mouse accumulate
damage to the body leads to such injury.

3. MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER: - Musculoskeletal Disorders or

MSDs are injuries and disorders that affect the human bodys movement or
musculoskeletal system like muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs,
blood vessels.
Common MSDs include:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Tendonitis

Muscle / Tendon strain

Ligament Sprain

Tension Neck Syndrome

Other common names for MSDs are repetitive motion injury, repetitive stress
injury, overuse injury and many more. It implicates a singular cause for damage
to the musculoskeletal system repetition and stress.

MSD account for:

1/3 of all lost day injuries each year
These injuries cost business $15-20 billion in workers
compensation each year
At workplace it is generally caused by: High task repetition
Work which has extra body force
Repetitive or sustained awkward position
Such factor leads to the workers body beyond their ability to recover, leading to a
musculoskeletal imbalance and eventually an MSD.
8

EGONOMICS STRESS AREAS

CONTROLLING MEASURES
1. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
Administrative controls aims at modifying scheduling of work which in
turns reduces the ergonomic risk factor for betterment of employees
health. It can be better attained by altering the way work is done in order
to reduce the side effect of workplace hazard.
Followings are the administrative controls in order to reduce workplace
hazard:1. Employee rotation/job task enlargement- job rotation can be a favorable
instrument to achieve this as employees move from one task to another
which leads to non-repetition of same tasks which minimizes chances of
MSDs and RSIs at the place of work. Job enlargement can be another way
where by employees can perform different task over a period of time.
2. Adjust work pace- Difficult to implement but an important factor because
slowing down the working will ease the body stress and will tend to be more
productive as compared to the paced one which tends to lose efficiency in
short duration due to high speed continuous working and thus getting more
prone to injury.
3. Designing the work: - ERGONOMICALLY designed work is considered to
be best and most productive for the organization which reduces stress and
injury at work place which results in better performance of task and thus
proving to be more productive and profitable from organization point of
view.
4. Breaks- during work break considered to be an important factor in order to
reduce the injury during work especially when work is physical in nature
and require a lot of body efforts and moments. Encourage motion rather than
static positions. It is always advisable to take 1 or 2 minute breaks after
every 30 minutes while performing stationary type jobs. It is also preferred
to move around after every few hours of work.
10

2. WORK PRACTICE CONTROL

Work Practice Controls may be defined as the measure that helps to
control and give better exposure to the way a job or physical activities are
performed in order to reduce the factor of MSD at work. Work practice
controls also act on the source of the hazard. It basically deals with
behavior of managers, superior and employees which enables them to
follow proper way of doing a work. It develops a proper standard and
procedure for safe and proper way of doing work which needs to be
followed at all levels within the organization.
Examples
1. The work techniques could include proper positions and angles when sitting
at your computer station to standing and performing tasks.
2. Training recognition of hazards and work techniques that can reduce
exposure or ease task demands and burdens.
3. Supervise the employees performing the tasks to ensure understood the
training and are performing correctly. If not provide additional training.

11

3. ENGINEERING CONTROLS
Engineering controls may be defined as the physical change or up-gradation
to the job that enables managers and organization to control exposure to
MSD. Such measures do not depend on the employees to take self protective
measures.

STANDARD WAY
Adjustable workstations- develop a ergonomically designed work station
taking into consideration average height of the employee. It should be
developed in such a way that the employees arms should rest at the
employees sides and the employees back/neck should be kept straight.
Adjustable chair-all kinds, the seat adjusts, the back may adjust, the arm
rests, Make sure adjust to fit you correctly as Ergonomic chairs are not all
the same. A rolled towel or a lumbar pad may be useful to support the lower
back.
Footrests can be purchased and are adjustable to different angles.
Some monitors are adjustable
Document holder-Position the document holder close to screen and at the
same level and distance from the eye to avoid constant changes of focus.
And this will also help to minimize twisting and bending motions.

INNOVATIVE WAY - Cut legs off the desks or add blocks under the workstation
to raise the height. Build a foot rest or use a large book for a foot rest. Put a book
12

under the monitor to raise it to the proper height. Build a platform to stand on so
get to proper height.

13

HOW TO SETUP
WORKSTATION

AN

ERGONOMICALLY

CORRECT

1) Adjust chair height so that your feet are flat on the floor. This enables the
employees knees and hips at the same level. Secondly adjust your elbow and bent
it between 90 and 110 degree. Forearms should be parallel to the ground and wrist
should be kept at a neutral position. Since most desks are fixed height, it is best to
adjust the chair height for the correct position of the arms and hands. In the present
corporate world where almost every organization works for the betterment of their
respective employees aims at developing such furniture which provides more
safety and security to its employees in long run by allowing adjustments of work
surface height.

2) Keep your wrist position neutral. Avoid bending your wrist sharply up or
down to type.
Consider split- keyboard design or tents and raised; otherwise just try to choose
one that is the right size for your hands.
To help your wrists to "float on the keyboard, use a wrist rest; However, do not
use it if it actually raises your wrists; depending on your position, this might
actually encourage you to keep your hands at the wrong angle.
Many keyboards have tabs to raise the back, but check your wrist position before
use. You may need to lift the front, instead. If your keyboard features such
adjustment, try propping the front of paint stick, a couple of erasers, or any other
object.

14

3) Change your posture regularly. Regardless of how healthy your

work posture is, sitting in any one position for an extended period is
not healthy. If you have an adjustable chair, alternate between the
following positions, all of which will keep your pose neutral and
relaxed:
Sit upright. Keep your torso roughly vertical, your thighs horizontal,
and your lower legs vertical.
Sit reclined. Tilt the backrest of your chair back so that your torso
reclines between 105 and 120 degrees from your thighs.
Sit declined. Tilt the seat pan of your chair slightly so that the angle
between your thighs and torso is slightly more than 90 degrees. Dont
overdo this or you will feel like youre sliding.

4) keep the monitor between 20 and 40 inches (50 and 100 centimeters)
from your face. This will reduce eye strain. If the depth of your desk
doesnt allow this, move your monitor to a corner, request a flat screen
monitor (if applicable), or purchase an attachable computer tray to create a
deeper working surface.

5) Adjust the monitor so that the center sits at eye level. The monitor
should always be directly in front of your face (preferably no more than
35 degrees to either side) and at or slightly below eye level. However, if
you wear bifocals and usually tilt your head back in order to look down
through them at the monitor, lower the monitor (or raise your chair) so
that the monitor sits 15 to 20 degrees below eye level. Avoid the need to
tilt the head back, causing tension in the neck and shoulders.

15

6) Place the mouse near the keyboard. Keep it in a position that will
enable you to transition between typing and using the mouse with as
little effect on your arm and wrist posture as possible. If you have a 10key on the right side of your keyboard, you may want to use your mouse
on the left side; this centers the part of your keyboard that you use most.
You can also alternate left and right-sided mouse usage to dilute the
effects of repetitive use.
Choose a mouse which is the right size for your hands. Don't rule out
"portable" mice (if your hands are smaller) or "gaming" mice if your hands
are larger. Try to find a shop where you can try out a variety of mice.
Adjust the mouse drivers in software, if you wish to change the speed of the
cursor movement relative to the mouse movement. Adjust it so it feels right
for you.
7) Arrange items within sight and reach. Place your phone, writing
equipment, books and other frequently-used items within easy reach from
where you sit. You should not need to stretch to reach frequently used
objects.
If you use a document holder, do not place it to one side of your monitor
(unless you also use a second one on the other side); turning your head in
one direction for prolonged periods fatigues the neck muscles. Instead,
position the document holder directly beneath the monitor, angling it
between the monitor and keyboard. If you touch type and do a lot of
transcription, consider placing the document holder in front of you, with the
screen to one side. The main focus of attention is then straight ahead with
occasional movements to view the screen. Another option would be to
provide a lectern that is positioned between the keyboard and screen.

IMPROVING ERGONOMICS PROCESS

16

1. Develop a prioritized list of jobs for ergonomic analysis. This prioritized

list should be developed by the ergonomics team based on an initial facility
tour, review of MSD history and data collected by employee surveys.
2. Conduct objective ergonomic analysis. This analysis will objectively
measure risk for each job in the workplace and help you develop an
ergonomic opportunity list.
3. Develop an ergonomic opportunity list Developing an ergonomic
opportunity list allows you to prioritize company resources in order to
effectively and efficiently reduce risk by putting the appropriate controls in
place.
4. Determine best solution with team approach. A multi-disciplinary team
should be involved in determining the best controls for implementation.
5. Obtain approval and implement solution. If the improvement requires a
significant capital expenditure, cost-justify the solution to gain approval.
6. Evaluate impact of the ergonomic improvement. Once improvements are
in place, close the loop on the project by evaluating the ergonomic
improvement and measuring its effectiveness.

17

CHAPTER-2

ABOUT COMAPNAY
Dell Inc. is an American privately owned multinational computer technology
company based in Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells, repairs,
18

and supports computers and related products and services. Eponymously

named after its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest
technological corporations in the world, employing more than 103,300 people
worldwide.
Dell sells personal computers (PCs), servers, data storage devices, network
switches, software, computer peripherals, HDTVs, cameras, printers, MP3 players,
and electronics built by other manufacturers. The company is well known for its
innovations in supply chain management and electronic commerce, particularly its
direct-sales model and its "build-to-order" or "configure to order" approach to
manufacturingdelivering individual PCs configured to customer
specifications. Dell was a pure hardware vendor for much of its existence, but with
the acquisition in 2009 of Perot Systems, Dell entered the market for IT services.
The company has since made additional acquisitions in storage and networking
systems, with the aim of expanding their portfolio from offering computers only to
delivering complete solutions for enterprise customers.
Dell was listed at number 51 in the Fortune 500 list, until 2014. After going private
in 2013, the newly confidential nature of its financial information prevents the
company from being ranked by Fortune. In 2015, it was the third largest PC vendor
in the world after Lenovo and HP. Dell is currently the #1 shipper of PC monitors
in the world. Dell is the sixth largest company in Texas by total revenue, according
to Fortune magazine. It is the second largest non-oil company in Texas
behind AT&T and the largest company in the Greater Austin area. It was
a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: DELL), as well as a component of
the NASDAQ-100 and S&P 500, until it was taken private in a leveraged buyout
which closed on October 30, 2013.

19

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AT DELL

They are relentlessly focused on delivering technology solutions that work harder
for our customers, and gives access to technology to people and organizations
around the world. Their purpose -"delivering technology solutions that enable
people everywhere to grow and thrive are and their commitment to all of our
customers. Todays Dell is a customer-inspired end-to-end solutions provider. They
evolved from a PC manufacturer to a true IT solutions partner one that offers a
differentiated view of the enterprise.
The focus of dell is to create a winning environment through inspiring leadership,
collaboration, personal accountability and always operating with the customer in
mind with Dells best interests first. Our philosophy is that their team members
aims at continuously improve their performance and results, build great
relationships, value diverse perspectives and create an environment where they
progress forward even when faced with challenges and adversity.

20

CHAPTER 3

21

GAP ANALYSIS
We observed following GAPS in our analysis with the DELLs employee
1) WORKING HOURS: - Company has high working time which enabled the
employees to sit more hours at computers which are negatively affecting the health
of the employees.
2) CHAIRS: - Company does not provide ergonomically designed chairs to all its
employees. We observed that several employees especially with the short height
were unable to have flat feet on the floor which clearly defined organization is not
much concerned about this particular area.
3) AWARENESS:- Most of the employees within the organization especially those
who are involved in physical activity are not aware about ergonomically way of
doing it and we had a conversation with one of the employees about his body
condition to which he said he is suffering from shoulder pain. Which clearly shows
organization is least concerned about the health of such employees and at the same
time those employees are not aware about the principal of ergonomics.
4) HABITUAL: - We closely observed few body postures of employees who were
having back office work (desk job). We analyzed that many individuals
incautiously were following wrong body gestures which were adversely affecting
their body.
5) TOOLS: - Many tools equipped by the organization were not ergonomically
supportive i.e. many tools were not actually positioned or used in the right way
which was resulting in low efficiency and productivity of the organizational
working.
6) MEASURES:- organization havent taken any effective measure like
administrative control or work practice control measures in order to overcome
ergonomics within the organization working environment. Such measures are less
costly and can be easily implemented.

22

SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In order to overcome the upper GAPs following measures can be taken by the
organization:1) In order to overcome working hour problem firm can opt for flexible
timing and should allow small break between works. It is always advisable
to take 1 or 2 minute breaks after every 30 minutes while performing
stationary type jobs. It is also preferred to move around after every few
hours of work.
2) In order to overcome this firm should place chair which allow flexibility
of height so that the feet are flat on the floor. This enables the employees
knees and hips at the same level. Secondly adjust your elbow and bent it
between 90 and 110 degree. Forearms should be parallel to the ground and
wrist should be kept at a neutral position.
3) Special sessions should be conducted by the organization to make its
employees aware and practice also to work on ergonomics principals and
standards to improve overall efficiency.
4) Organization should regularly monitor ergonomics measures to measure
effectiveness and efficiency of the organization in order to provide risk free
organizational working and to achieve maximum productivity.

CONCLUSION

23

Ergonomics aims to make the job fit the person, rather than the other way around.
That means it is, by definition, a very individualized approach to designing tools,
tasks and work areas. Each individual body is different in terms of size, shape and
capability. Each of us uses different tools and movements and sits, stands and
moves in different positions in the course of a day, So as to adapt jobs to people
and not force people to fit their jobs. If individual ignore symptoms for too long
that will affect their working capabilities to perform their respective job. So both
individuals as well as organization need to put attention on whats the best possible
way a job can be performed. Try to identify what causes pain, numbness or other
symptoms. Supervisors to make sure you have a workplace that's free of ergonomic
hazards.

24