Helge: The slideshow below contains a lot of information. Big posts doesn't work. I need to split down to essential information packages.
Wrote about the occupational health service program in Nurmo, Finland, on Mediracers Finnisgh blog. The importance of good ergonomics and work site and methods planning was underlined.
Problems occure if we don't take care of our workforce. Big advances could be made through changes in processes and work practices. Doctors and engineers should get together to design better working conditions.
Slide 2: COURSE OBJECTIVES • Understand the definition of ergonomics • Understand Primary Causes of Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs). • Understand ways to prevent CTDs • Learn about PC workstation accessories to reduce computer work stress • Basic exercises to reduce / relieve ergo- stress.
Slide 3: DEFINITION • ERGONOMICS is a way to work smarter--not harder by designing of tools, equipment, work stations and tasks to fit the job to the worker--NOT the worker to the job: – Layout / type of controls & displays – Lighting & Temperature – Process (Heights, reaches, weights)
Slide 4: WHY WORRY ? • Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) declined from 784,100 to 582,300 annual lost workday cases from 1992 to 1997(OSHA) thanks to workplace ergonomic programs • Minimum $120 to 240 billion total costs / year & average $29 K / case compensation claim cost • More lost workdays for RSIs (ave. = 30 days for a Carpal Tunnel injury)
Slide 5: MSD INJURY DATA • ~600,000 MSDs require time off from work. • Older, out-of-shape workers much more vulnerable. • Women suffer more ergonomic injuries due: – to having jobs requiring more heavy lifting, repetitive tasks and awkward postures – 70% of Carpal Tunnel – 62% of Tendonitis
Slide 6: CAR COST IS (PARTIALLY)--A PAIN IN THE BACK !! • According to Dr. E.W. Simmons, president of the American Back Society, medical costs related to back injury can add up to $3000 to the price of every car made in Detroit !!
Slide 7: CTD INJURY FACTORS • Lesions to tendons of the neck, back, shoulders, arms, wrists or hands • Primary causes: – Repetitive movements over long periods of time – Awkward postures – Use of excessive forces
Slide 8: CTD RISK CONTROL: POSTURE • NEUTRAL & COMFORTABLE: – Wrists straight – Shoulders relaxed with elbows close to body – head / shoulders & back in vertical alignment – Frequent breaks when bent postures can’t be avoided
Slide 9: ERGONOMIC ALIGNMENT
Slide 10: CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME • Occurs with repetitive motion of hands & wrists--especially with high force levels. • Incidence up to 15% in certain industries. • A “natural” keyboard and good wrist support can help most PC users avoid problems • GOOD NEWS: Have dropped over 30% since 1992--which most attribute to strong workplace ergonomics programs
Slide 11: CTD RISK CONTROL: REPETITION • Use automatic tools for repetitive tasks (screw and bolt tightening) • Eliminate unnecessary tasks / movements by redesigning maintenance procedures and workstations • Take short, frequent breaks • Alternate tasks and processes to use different muscle groups
Slide 12: ERGONOMICS SUMMARY • Good ergonomic design of tools, processes and furniture DOES improve personnel comfort, health, morale, productivity and readiness. • Individual effort as part of a workshop team is the greatest means of identifying / improving workplace ergonomic issues. • It’s critical to seek prompt medical aid for symptoms of ergonomic stress / CTDs
Slide 13: Computer Ergonomics • Routine PC user defined as spending 20 hours or more per week working at a computer. • Studies of PC users have not shown a risk of eye damage...although fatigue very possible. • NIOSH studies have not indicated a radiation hazard nor pregnancy risk from PC usage. • Workers using bi/tri-focal glasses before beginning PC use may need special purpose glasses for computer work.
Slide 14: “NATURAL” KEYBOARDS • Three types: Fixed split, Adjustable split & “Sculptured” • Awkward wrist postures minimized with 15 to 25 horizontal degree key split AND 8 to 66 degree vertical incline. • Key Layout Design Changes Have: – increased comfort (81% of users) – improved postures – reduced muscle activity – lowered carpal tunnel pressure in lab settings • Unfortunately obtained oftentimes to alleviate an injury after-the-fact
Slide 15: WRIST RESTS • No medical evidence that they reduce RSI injuries...As they work for some, but not for others • Usage Guidelines: – Buy rest that is even with top of keyboard – Material should be “medium-soft” (foam--gel mix) so foam doesn’t break down. AVOID hard plastic types – DON’T leave wrists on rest...which compresses carpal tunnel. Palm rest instead. – Changing typing habits more critical than wrist support – MOST APPROPRIATELY USED TO REST HANDS DURING PAUSE IN TYPING • LEARN TO TYPE CORRECTLY WITH “FLOATING WRISTS” FIRST!!!
Slide 16: Ergonomic chairs • Adjustable back height • Adjustable arm rests • Required by OPNAV 5100 Safety Instruction • **Chair on left NOT ergonomically designed
Slide 17: Alternative Pointing Devices • Track-balls • “Scrolling” Mouse
Slide 18: Other Ergonomic PC Accessories • Height-adjustable articulating keyboard tray • **Basic units start at $20, and occasionally stocked in the NEX Depot or Sight & Sound stores for $19.99 !
Slide 19: UNSAT PC Work Station “Design”
Slide 20: UNSAT PC Work Station “Design”
Slide 21: MODEL COMPUTER WORKSTATION • --Keyboard trays WITH wrist support. • --Split \"Natural\" keyboards to facilitate neutral wrist angle • --Fully adjustable ergonomic chair • --Document holder to minimize head / eye & neck movements • --Corner desk units to position monitor directly in front of employee • --Foot rest where requested. • --Re-organization of
Slide 22: Questions ??... Contact Data • NAVHOSP Rota IH Dept. (x2783 / 2315) • Dave Hiipakka: email:dwhiipakka@rota.med.navy.mil • Kevin Dyrdahl (2315): ksdyrdahl@rota.med.navy.mil • COMNAVACTS Ergonomics Team: – ergoteam@navsta.rota.navy.mil
