2. ERGONOMICS-What is it?
Derived from two Greek words:
โErgonโ meaning work
&
โNomoiโ meaning natural laws.
Hence, ergonomists study human
capabilities in relationship to work demands.
3. Definition :
An applied science concerned with designing
and arranging objects so that people can use
them in a safer and more efficient manner.
โข It is a way to make jobs/tasks fit the employees
better.
โข It is a way to make work easier.
4. How does ergonomics affect you?
โข It can help you do work safely
โข It can make you more comfortable
โข It can prevent injuries
โข Improve the performance and productivity
โข Improve the health & safety
โข Ergonomics can reduce the likelihood of an accident.
โข The study of ergonomics enables a person to know
how to provide safety for a worker and his
environment.
5. Types of ergonomics
1.Physical ergonomics is the human bodyโs responses to physical
and physiological work loads. Repetitive strain injuries from
repetition, vibration, force, and posture fall into this category.
2. Cognitive ergonomics deals with the mental processes and
capacities of humans when at work. Mental strain from
workload, decision making, human error, and training fall into
this category.
3. Organizational ergonomics deals with the organizational
structures, policies and processes in the work environment, such
as shift work, scheduling, job satisfaction, motivation,
supervision, teamwork, telecommuting, and ethics.
6. Various- aspects :
โข the job being done and the demands on the
worker.
โข the equipment used.
โข the information used.
โข the physical environment.
โข the social environment.
7. Ergonomists consider all the
physical aspects of a person :
โข body size and shape;
โข fitness and strength;
โข posture;
โข the senses, especially vision, hearing and touch;
and
โข the stresses and strains on muscles, joints,
nerves.
8. Ergonomists also consider the
psychological aspects of a person :
โข mental abilities;
โข personality;
โข knowledge; and
โข experience.
9. Major objectives
โข The most productive use of human capabilities
โข The maintenance of human health and well-
being
10. History
โข As early as 18th century doctors noted that
workers who required to maintain body positions
for long periods of time developed
musculoskeletal problems.
โข Within last 20 years research has clearly
established connections between certain job tasks
and MSD.
11. 1) Static work: musculoskeletal effort required
to hold a certain position, even a comfortable
one.
Example: sit & work at computers;
keeping head and torso upright requires small
or great amounts of static work depending on
the efficiency of the body positions we chose.
What two elements are at work?
12. โข Force: amount of tension our muscles generate
Example: tilting your head forward or backward
from a neutral, vertical position quadruples the
amount of force acting on your lower neck
vertebrae.
13. What to do ??
โข Warm up & stretch before activities that are repetitive, static
or prolonged.
โข Take frequent breaks from ANY sustained posture every 20-
30 minutes.
โข Respect pain- positions or stop painful activity.
โข Recognize early signs of inflammatory process.
PREVENT, PREVENT, PREVENT !!!
14. โข Maintain erect position of back & neck with shoulders
relaxed.
โข Position equipment & work directly in front of and close to
your major tasks.
โข Keep upper arms close to the body, elbows 90-100 degrees.
โข Keep feet flat on floor, upper body weight resting on โsits
bonesโ.
โข Wrists as neutral as possible; safe zone for wrist movement
is 15 degrees in all directions
15. โข Use the largest joints & muscles to do the job
โข Use 2 hands to lift rather than one, even with
light objects and tasks.
โข Avoid lifting work the forearm in full pronation
(palm down) or supination (palm up)
โข Slide or push & pull objects instead of lifting
โข Keep reaching to a minimum
โข Carry objects close to body at waist level
Body Mechanics :
16. Practice Wellness at Work and Home !
Exercise
Nutrition
Relaxation
Body
Mind
Spirit
17. The benefits of applying
ergonomic principles:
- Maximize productivity, efficiency and quality.
- Reduce MSD risk by eliminating or minimizing
ergonomic risk factors.
- Improve employee morale.
- Cost savings associated with injury-related
absenteeism, treatment, and new hire training.
๏ง It can help you do work safely.
๏ง It can make you more comfortable.
๏ง It can prevent injuries.
18. An ounce of Prevention is worth a
pound of cure !
19. Nutshell
โข Minimize ergonomic risk factors in your area.
โข Stretch throughout the shift especially before and
after activities that require awkward positions or
lifting.
โข Pay attention to your body and know your physical
limitations.
โข Report ergonomics issues through appropriate
channels.
โข Ergonomic injuries are preventable, and you own
your own safety.
