Você está na página 1de 4

Siddiqah Zahra Gulamhusein

211538659
Ergonomic Risk Assessment and Controls

1. Task description:

The workspace that I use on a regular basis is the desk in my room. It has a bookshelf
above the desk (see Appendix A) and I consistently reach above towards the shelves or to the
left to reach for textbooks or notes, and to the right towards the drawers. My dominant hand is
my left hand, and I use it for tasks such as pulling books off of shelves, which is above shoulder
height at times, pulling down my binders, and other such tasks. My non-dominant hand is closer
to the drawers that contain supplies such as papers, post-its, hole punchers and staplers.

The workstation consists of a rolling desk chair, a desk, two bookshelves, and 4 drawers.
There is poor lighting as the windows are directly behind the chair, which results in glare. The
seat of the chair is slightly low for the height of the desk, and that results in either putting a
cushion to meet the height of the desk with the feet not quite touching the ground, or the feet
touching the ground and arms not quite reaching the desk. Unfortunately the height of the desk
is not adjustable, as it is wood, and it is not possible to cut the desk shorter. The equipment
used at this workstation is an Apple laptop with a 13 screen, a textbook stand, notebooks,
textbooks, binders and various writing utensils.

This workstation is located in my bedroom, which is on the second floor of the house. My
house is far from the main street so there are very few outside noises for most of the time, other
than on weekend mornings when there are lawnmowers running. This noise affects
concentration, as does various noises inside the house such as the washing machine running,
or the vacuum. This workstation is not shared by anyone else. This workstation is where I do all
my schoolwork, and also where I watch television in the evenings (online through the computer),
and thus where I spend most of my time.

Due to the rolling chair on wooden floor, if the feet arent firmly planted on the floor, the
chair rolls backwards which results in leaning excessively forward or slouching. In the summer
months, there is a portable air condition system that is used, and can be adjusted for
temperature control. When typing on my laptop, due to the poor design of the chair, my elbows
are generally flared outwards, with my shoulders hunched forward and my back curled forward.
I also push my chair back, put my feet up on the desk and have the laptop on my lap, or have a
book on my lap. This puts pressure on my lower back.
Siddiqah Zahra Gulamhusein
211538659

2. Hazard analysis and Controls: Using the primary ergonomic risk factors as a framework,
analyse the ergonomic hazards present in this task. Using the Engineering, Policy & Procedure,
Admin (training) & PPE framework, describe the measures required to control the identified
hazards. The following chart should be used to describe the analysis and recommended
controls.

Hazard Analysis
Risk Factor Problem Controls

Neck Strain Neck strain as the screen Make sure that eye level is
is too low when sitting about 1 inch from the top of
straight in the chair. the screen. If this is not
possible with laptop, as raising
the laptop will cause wrists to
be at an awkward angle, use a
separate monitor when
possible at workstation.
Musculoskeletal Injury Risk Consistently typing at the Take breaks, change wrist
(wrists) same angle without wrist position, and always keep wrist
support neutral where palm is at 30-45
degree angle and that the
fingers are curled.
Siddiqah Zahra Gulamhusein
211538659
Eye strain Improper lighting and
glare Position monitors parallel to
overhead lights and
perpendicular to the windows.
Blinds or curtains should be
used to minimize glare, in this
case the blinds are white and
let in significant amount of
light, should be replaced with
something darker, or blackout
blinds. Install diffusers on
overhead fluorescent lights.
Adjust the angle of the monitor,
so that the screen is vertical.
Use incandescent task lights
over source documents, but
direct them away from monitor.

Blink more often. Blinking is


very important when working
at a computer; blinking
moistens your eyes to prevent
dryness and irritation.

Shoulder strain Lack of arm rests, and as Chair with suitable armrests.
a result shoulders are Armrest should be adjusted to
constantly tense to keep elbow height. Too high, and
elbows up to type the shoulders will be shrugged,
which can cause discomfort. If
they are too low, the shoulders
may be depressed, which can
affect the posture of the back
and neck.
Back pain Improper back support in When sitting, adjust the height
desk chair, allows of the backrest so the back
consistent slouching pad supports the natural curve
causing lower back pain. of your lower back (lumbar
curve). The tilt of the back
support should allow you to sit
with your upper body slightly
reclined (110 degrees is
usually recommended). In this
chair, these controls are not
possible, and an ergonomically
designed chair should be
used.
Lower back strain Chair is not adjustable in Backrest should be curved in
all directions, and lack of vertical and horizontal planes.
forward tilting causes It should be vertically and
back pain. horizontally adjustable. Also
Siddiqah Zahra Gulamhusein
211538659
should tilt forward to prevent
back pain when leaning over
the desk to write notes,
highlight readings etc. In this
chair, these controls are not
possible, and an ergonomically
designed chair should be
used.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Writing consistently Taking breaks and rest the
without taking a break, wrist every so often, half an
wrist is not in a neutral hour or so, and alternate tasks
position, with repetitive to reduce pressure. For
motion example, if taking notes on
readings/in the textbook,
alternate between writing and
reading, writing and
highlighting etc.
Contact stress Forearms are in contact Place a keyboard pad/ wrist
with edge of the table, pad to prevent this from
and due to the angle it happening, or lift chair higher
causes pressure on the to reduce pressure on the
nerves, which results in forearms.
pain.

Você também pode gostar