Who’s Got your Back? (What you don’t know about Office Ergonomics)

1. Who’s Got your Back?(What you don’t know about Office Ergonomics) Carol Schmeidler/Kelly Haidar

2. Agenda • Background • Applications/Limitations • Definitions • Problems • Solutions • Backs • Equipment • Other Situations • Resources

3. What This Isn’t • The end-all, cure-all • Infallible • Guaranteed to help 100%

4. What This Is • Not rocket science! • Helpful • Based on current standards and recommendations • Information for the workplace • Information for home

5. But First, Let’s Stretch!

6. But First, Let’s Stretch!

7. What is ergonomics? • From Greek words “ergon” (work) and “nomos” (law), or… • Fitting jobs to people to prevent or minimize the occurrence of injury • Not limited to computer use!

8. Where does our information come from? • Government requirements • Agency Recommendations • Industry-Specific Guidelines • Other colleges/universities • Manufacturers

9. It’s not just computers, but…

10. It’s not just computers…

11. Types of Problems • Head and neck • Shoulders and Upper arms • Backs - ~85% of people at one time • Wrists and Hands • Other issues not caused by, but affected by work activities

12. Caveat Ergo Other possible causes of problems: • Hobbies outside of work • Medical conditions (diabetes, pregnancy) • Medications • Second/Third jobs • Age-related disorders A pain in the wrist isn’t always Carpal Tunnel!

13. Solutions – Basic Principles • Design ergonomics into any job • Pre-planning is the best course of action • THERE IS NO “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” • It’s not just the furniture! Habits must also change

14. Environment affects behavior Movement is critical Minimize extreme postures Avoid contact stress Take breaks! EducationEducation Education Solutions

15. Solutions – Basic Principles • Minimize extreme postures • ≥ 90° angles in knees, hips, elbows • Avoid contact stress • Adjust what you can • Improvise • Take breaks!

16. Solutions

17. Solutions • Chairs: • While standing, seat at knee level • Feet flat on floor (foot board) • Room between chair edge and knees • Backrest supports lower back curve • Shoulders upright, not hunched or low • Arms rest at sides, 90° angle at elbows

18. Solutions • Work Surface • Elbow height • Adequate leg room • Adjustable keyboard trays • Store supplies at work surface level (don’t bend)

19. Solutions • Monitor • Directly in front of you • Approximately arm’s length away • No squinting required • Top of monitor even with eyebrows

20. Solutions • Keyboard • Directly in front of you (“J”) • Negative tilt • Do not use keyboard “feet” • Neutral, straight wrists • Don’t rest on wrist rests

21. Solutions • Mousing • Hand in straight line with forearm • Do not bend wrist • Mouse should same height as and directly adjacent to keyboard

22. Arranging Your Workstation • Accessories • Headset or shoulder rest • Document holder – adjacent to monitor • Foot rest • Monitor Arm • Mice, Keyboards • Advice • Turn whole body, don’t twist • Breaks– 1 min./30 min. or 20/20/20

23. Solutions

24. Laptop Use • Same requirements • Docking Stations • Use laptop as monitor (stand) • Aux. keyboard and mouse

25. Standing vs. Sitting • Keyboard at elbow height • Top of monitor even with tops of eyebrows • Anti-fatigue mat to stand on • Solid foot rest? • Alternate standing with sitting

26. Lighting the Way • Different tasks require different levels of light • “Old eyes” need more light • Computer glasses • One source of overhead lights • Task lighting avoids glare, provides additional light when/where needed

27. Solutions • Changing habits is also very important • Posture • Breaks – stretches? • Arrangement of work station • Following suggestions

28. Remember that… • The best solutions  the most expensive • Gadgets, bells & whistles can’t substitute for training and good practices • The best way to prevent problems is to design them out at the beginning • Be creative in finding solutions

29. Remember what we said about 85% of the US population reporting back pain? There are many causes; some preventable, some not There are things you can do to prevent or limit back problems A Word or Two about Backs

30. Proper Lifting Techniques

31. Solutions • Carrying • Carry in the “Power Zone” • Redesign process to limit/eliminate need to carry • Reduce bulk/weight of materials to be carried • Reduce distance

32. Solutions • Pushing/Pulling • Know the route • Push rather than pull • Minimize weight • Stay close to load, bend knees • Adjustable handles to keep grip within Power Zone • Ensure good visibility • Avoid twisting/turning

33. Assistive Devices • These can be helpful, but must be combined with proper body positioning, etc.

34. Assistive Devices

35. Assessments provided upon request! Workstation Evaluations

36. Resources • Your local Safety & Health Professional • Recommendations • www.osha.gov • www.nih.gov/od/ors/ds/ergonomics/lab1.html • www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/ • http://www.seating-ergonomics.com/index.html • “The Ergonomics Guide to Computer Workstations – AIHA publication • Other Universities • www.ergonomics.ucla.edu/ • www.ergo.human.cornell.edu/ • www.yale.edu/ergo/

37. Resources • Vendors/Service Providers • www.humanscale.com • www.alimed.com • www.ergoboy.com • www.ergotron.com • www.officeorganix.com • www.askergoworks.com

38. Questions? Thank you!!