ERGONOMICS

Sridhar Hanumanthaiah
Industrial Hygienist, EH&S
Zeke Barrera
Director, EH&S

Prepared by: Humberto Lopez

Intern, EH&S

Presentation Objectives
What is ergonomics?
OSHA and ergonomics
Different types of ergonomics
Health problems associated with
ergonomics
Preventive Aspects
Training and Services offered by
EH&S

What is ergonomics
Ergonomics makes
sure that
technological systems
are made to fit human
needs and abilities.

The Science Behind Ergonomics

Ergonomics is a science focused on
designing a job for the individual.
In order to ensure that individuals have a
job tailored to them a basic understanding
in physiology, anatomy, and psychology is
necessary

Physiology
Work Physiology

Making sure that individuals are not

taking part in tasks that exceed the
energy requirements of the body.
Involved in setting standards for
acceptable physical work rate and load.
Looks into the nutritional aspect of the
individuals

Environmental Physiology

Deals with the impact of physical

working conditions and sets optimum
requirements
Thermal
Noise
Vibration
Lighting

Anatomy
Anatomys role deals with
making sure that the best
possible physical fit between
people and the devices they use
exist.
Things taken into consideration:

Variation of human body sizes

Operation of the muscles and limbs
Working postures
Forces used during work and time
workers are expected to exert them

Psychology
Deals with human information
processing and decision-making
capabilities or the cognitive fit
between people and their work.
Topics involved include:

Sensory processes
Perception
Long-term memory
Short-term memory
Decision making

Texas department of health (TDH) follows standards set forth by

OSHA.
OSHA website dealing with ergonomics:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/

Website contents:

Ergonomic four-pronged ergonomic approach that addresses musculoskeletal

disorders (MSDs) in the workplace
Ergonomic aspects that must be enforced
Outreach and assistance programs available through OSHA
National advisory committee board with tasks including identification of gaps in
research to the application of ergonomics and ergonomic principles in the
workplace.

Some Different Types of

Ergonomics to
Laboratory
Ergonomics
Office Ergonomics

Posture Tips
Sit against the back of your chair. If
you sit back and your feet dangle,
lower the chair or adjust the foot
ring or get a footrest.
Try tilting the seat forward or use a
seat wedge to work in a forward
posture without leaning or jutting
your head forward.
Always try to work at a bench cut
out. Cut outs can help you get
close to your work while sitting
against the back of your chair.

Posture Cont.
Don't jut your chin forward
when working. Adjust the
position of your work, the
worksurface, or the chair to sit
in an upright, supported
position.
Keep frequently used trays
and supplies within close
reach.
If standing for long periods,
use supportive shoes and
cushioned mats.

Keep Hands and Arms Relaxed

Keep your shoulders relaxed and your elbows close to
your sides when working. Avoid reaching out to use
instruments and work materials.
Maintain neutral or aligned wrist and arm postures when
working. Sit close to your work area, keep objects close,
and adjust your chair to match the height of the bench.
Avoid repetitive or forceful twisting and turning motions
(i.e. opening valves or adjusting microscopes). Make
sure valves and knobs are clean and in good working
order.
Work with your wrist in a neutral or straight position as if
you were shaking hands with someone.

Relax Hands and Arms Cont.

Use light pressure when performing tasks such as
pipetting.
Use electronic pipettes or light touch models whenever
possible.
Select equipment and tools that are the right size for your
hand.
Use padding and tubing to reduce pressure and force
when working. For example, use rubber tubing on
forceps to increase diameter and reduce pinch force.
Soften sharp edges on work surfaces with padding.
Use thin, flexible gloves that fit properly. Ill fitting and
poorly designed gloves increase pinch and grip forces
when working.

Avoidance of Static Positions

Weight shift often when
standing to work.
Use cushioned floor mats if
standing in one spot for long
periods
Alternate how you hold objects
like forceps. Switch holding
with the thumb and index
finger, and the index and
middle fingers to vary the task.
Vary activities. Change your
position and take breaks every
20 minutes to rest muscles to
rest and increase blood flow
and circulation.

Tips for Using a Microscope

Use a chair that provides good back support.
Sit close to your work surface.
Remove false fronts and supplies from under the bench work area.
Avoid leaning on hard edges.
Pad forearms and edges.
Keep elbows close by your sides.
Work with wrists in straight, neutral positions.
Adjust your chair, workbench, or microscope as needed to maintain an upright
head position.
Elevate, tilt or move the microsocpe close to the edge of the counter to avoid
bending your neck.
Use adjustable eye-pieces or mount your microscope on a 30 angle stand
for easier viewing.
Keep scopes repaired and clean.
Spread microsope work throughout the day and between several people, if
possible.
Take breaks. Every 15 minutes, close your eyes or focus on something in the
distance. Every 30-60 minutes, get up to stretch and move.

Proper Microscope Use

Tips for Using Pipette

Sit supported against the
backrest of your chair.
Sit or stand close to your work
at bench cut outs.
Elevate your chair rather than
reaching up to pipette.
Hold the pipetter with a relaxed
grip.
Use minimal pressure while
pipetting.
Take a 1 to 2 minute break
after every 20 minutes of
pipetting.

Proper Pipetting Checklist

Are electronic, light-touch, or latch mode
pipettes available for intensive pipetting?
Is the pipette designed for multiple finger
use (instead of only the thumb)?
Are trays, beakers and supplies placed
within easy reach?
Are your wrists in a straight or neutral
position when working?

Laboratory Hood and Safety

Cabinet Use
Adjust your chair height and sit back in the seat
using the backrest.
Use footrests and foot rings for leg support.
Avoid resting your forearms on hard edges.
Position work supplies as close as possible.
Place equipment on approved turntables for
easy retrieval.
Use diffused lighting to limit glare.
Take short breaks to stretch muscles and relieve
forearm and wrist pressure.

Proper Safety Cabinet and Hood

Usage Checklist
Are your arms relaxed when working in
the fumehood?
Are work supplies within easy reach in the
cabinet?
Are vials, tubes and receptacles as low
profile as possible?
Can you see your work without tilting your
head and neck?

Office Ergonomics
Components of office
ergonomics:

Computers
Chairs
Telephones

Risks and Hazards Associated With

Improper Computer Setup
Backrest:

Poor back support and inappropriate postures may result from

inadequate backrest size, material, positioning, or use. Working in these
postures may lead to back pain and fatigue.

Seat:

Using a chair with a seat that is too high may force you to work with your
feet unsupported or encourage you to move forward in the chair to a
point where your back is unsupported making it more difficult to maintain
the S-shape of the spine. These awkward postures can lead to fatigue,
restricted circulation, swelling, numbness, and pain.

Armrest:

Armrests that are not adjustable, or those that have not been properly
adjusted, may expose you to awkward postures or fail to provide
adequate support.

Base:

Chairs with four or fewer legs may provide inadequate support and are
prone to tipping.

Proper Computer Setup

Hands, wrists, and forearms must be straight, in-line
and roughly parallel to the floor.
Head is level, or bent slightly forward, forward facing,
and balanced. Generally it is in-line with the torso.
Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally
at the side of the body.
Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent
between 90 and 120 degrees.
Feet are fully supported by floor or footrest.
Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar
support when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly.
Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat
and generally parallel to the floor.
Knees are about the same height as the hips with the
feet slightly forward.

Chair Setup
A chair that is well-designed and appropriately adjusted is an
essential element of a safe and productive computer workstation.
OSHA
What consists of a good chair:

One that provides necessary support to the back, legs, buttocks, and
arms, while at the same time reducing exposure to awkward postures,
contact stress, and forceful exertions.

The following parts of the chair are important elements to consider

in creating a safe and productive workstation:

Backrest
Seat
Armrest
Base

Solutions To Backrest Problems

If the price of an
ergonomic chair poses
problems then look at
some alternate solutions.
If your current chair does
not have a lumbar
support, use a rolled up
towel or a removable
back support cushion to
temporarily provide
support and maintain the
natural curve of the spine.

Solution to Armrest Problem

If your armrests
cannot be properly
adjusted, or if they
interfere with your
workstation, remove
them, or stop using
them.

Solution to Base Problem

Chairs should have a
strong, five-legged
base.
Ensure that chairs
have casters that are
appropriate for the
type of flooring at the
workstation.

Proper Telephone Use

Hazard:
Prolonged conversations with
the phone pinched between
your shoulder and head may
cause stress and neck pain.

Solution:
Use a "hands-free" head set if
your job requires that you
spend a significant amount of
time on the phone. The use of
a speaker phone may also help
solve this problem, so long as
the volume doesnt interrupt the
work of your coworkers.

PC Monitor Solutions

Ergonomic Compliant Workstation

Keyboard trays with wrist
support
Ergonomic Keyboard
Fully adjustable ergonomic
chair
Document holder to minimize
head, eye, and neck strain.
Corner desk units to position
monitor directly in front of
employee.
Foot rest if necessary.
Materials within employee arm
reach
Ergonomic mouse

Other Factors Involved

Back problems can be due to various other factors such as:

Depression, anxiety, frustration

Reinforcement
Stress
Anger
Fear
Lifestyle
Sleep patterns
Various other factors

Due to the complexity of the human body as well as each individuals lifestyle, it is not a
guarantee that anyone whom uses an ergonomic product such as a more ergonomically suited
chair because they were experiencing back pain will no longer experience any back pain.
Another aspect that must be taken into consideration is when the back pain begun as well as how
long it has been going on for.
All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical
advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any
specific health issues and consult your physician about your health issues.

OSHA Checklist For Proper

Working Posture
(Y/N) 1. Head and neck to be upright, or in-line with the torso (not bent
down/back).
(Y/N) 2. Head, neck, and trunk to face forward (not twisted).
(Y/N) 3. Trunk to be perpendicular to floor (may lean back into
backrest but not forward).
(Y/N) 4. Shoulders and upper arms to be in-line with the torso,
generally about perpendicular to the floor and relaxed (not elevated or
stretched forward).
(Y/N) 5. Upper arms and elbows to be close to the body (not extended
outward).
(Y/N) 6. Forearms, wrists, and hands to be straight and in-line
(forearm at about 90 degrees to the upper arm).
(Y/N) 7. Wrists and hands to be straight (not bent up/down or
sideways toward the little finger).
(Y/N) 8. Thighs to be parallel to the floor and the lower legs to be
perpendicular to floor (thighs may be slightly elevated above knees).
(Y/N) 9. Feet rest flat on the floor or are supported by a stable footrest.

Listen To Your Body

Pay attention to the signals your body
provides you.
If a certain part of your body hurts
examine your body position and try to
figure out what might be causing the
problem.
If problems persist speak to your doctor.

Services by EH&S
EH&S provide training twice a year
Group discussions can be arranged with
prior notification or appointment
EH&S can help in the assessment of work
station and provide recommendation
EH&S may consider loaning ergonomic
chairs for a week or two to assess if that
helps (based on availability)

Need Further Assistance

Contact Sandra Mitchell or
Sridhar at X4111