Ergonomics, Safe Lifting, Computer ergonomics

1. Made by: Chetan Chauhan

2. Ergonomics
Ergon (Work and Strength)
Nomos (Law or Rule)

3.  Understand the definition, purpose of ergonomics.
 Understand Primary Causes of Musculoskeletal
Disorders (MSDs)
 Understand ways to prevent MSDs

4.  Ergonomics is the study of
work in relation to the
environment in which it is
performed (the workplace) and
those who perform it (workers).
 It is used to determine how the
workplace can be designed or
adapted to the worker in order
to prevent a variety of health
problems and to increase
efficiency; in other words, to
make the job fit the worker,
instead of forcing the worker to
conform to the job.

5. Introduction
 MSDs (Musculoskeletal disorders) are injuries and
disorders of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and
spinal discs that supports limbs, neck & back. They don't
includes injuries resulting from slips, trips, falls or similar
accidents.
 MSDs can arise from a sudden exertion (e.g., lifting a
heavy object), or they can arise from making the same
motions repeatedly or from repeated exposure to force,
vibration, or awkward posture
 MSDs are the problem and ergonomics is the solution.

6. Examples of specific MSD disorders are
 Carpal tunnel syndrome {A painful disorder caused by compression
of a nerve in the carpal tunnel (A passageway in the wrist through
which nerves and the flexor muscles of the hands pass); characterized
by discomfort and weakness in the hands and fingers and by
sensations of tingling, burning or numbness}
 Epicondylitis (Painful inflammation of the muscles and soft tissues
around an epicondyle)
 Tendinitis -Abrasions, contusions (an injury that doesn't break the
skin but results in some discolouration)

7. Facts:
 Injuries usually develop slowly
 Injuries are costly
 Injuries are preventable
 Prevention is always better than treatment –
 Repetitive work is the most common cause of MSD

8.  Mismatch between the physical requirements of the
job and the physical capacity of the worker
 Prolonged exposure to Ergonomic Risk Factors,
 Pre-existing MSD

9.  Force
 Repetition
 Awkward postures
 Static postures
 Vibration
 Tasks requiring twisting of hand or joint movement

10. Posture
 Relaxed posture
 Wrists flat and straight
 Elbow angle > 90 o
 Upper Arms and elbow close to body
 User sit back in the chair
 Good back support
 Head and neck straight

11. Wrong
Right
Distribute your
weight evenly and
use the entire seat
and backrest to
support your body.
Don't slouch
forward.
1
2

12. Eye
 Working at your computer for long periods can
be a visually demanding task and may cause
your eyes to become irritated and fatigued.
Therefore, you should give special attention to
vision care, including the following
recommendations:
 Resting Your Eyes
 Cleaning Your Monitor and Glasses
 Having Your Eyes Examined regularly
(Vision test)

13. Legs, Feet
Rest your feet firmly on
the floor or a footrest.
Don't dangle your
feet and compress
your thighs
Wrong
Right
1
2

14. Arms, Hand
Hold a straight,
neutral wrist
position while
typing.
Don't rest your palms on
a work surface while
typing
Wrong
Right
1
2

15. COMPUTER WORKSTATION

16. SITTING POSTURE

18. The Forces Involved
The amount of force you place on your back in
lifting may surprise you!
Think of your back as a lever,
with the fulcrum in
the center, it only
takes ten pounds of
pressure to lift a ten
pound object.

19. The Forces Involved
If you shift the fulcrum to one side, it takes much
more force to lift the same object. Your waist acts
like the fulcrum in a lever system, on a 10:1 ratio.
Lifting a
ten pound
object puts
100 pounds
of pressure
on your
lower back.

20. The Forces Involved
When you add in the
105 pounds of the
average human upper
torso, you see that
lifting a ten pound
object actually puts
1,150 pounds of
pressure on the
lower back.

21.  Back Injuries are the 2nd-most common
workplace problem
 Most back injuries can be prevented

22. Use Your Head and Hips Save Your Back!
Stand
close to
the load
Bend
your
knees -
not your
back!
Let
your
legs do
the
lifting
Get Help
with heavy
or awkward
loads!
Use
the
right
tools!

23. Carrying the load…
• Hold the load close so you can see over
it.
• Keep the load balanced.
• Avoid twisting the body
• Watch out for pinch points -- doorways,
etc.
• Face the way you will be moving.

24. If you must lift or lower from a high place:
• Stand on a platform instead of a ladder
• Lift the load in smaller pieces if possible
• Push the load to see how heavy and stable
it is.
• Slide the load as close to yourself as
possible before lifting up or down.
• Get help when needed to avoid an injury.

25. From hard-to-get-at places...
• Get as close to the load as
possible
• Keep back straight, stomach
muscles tight
• Push your hips out behind
you.
• Bend your knees
• Use leg, stomach, and hips
muscles to lift – NOT YOUR
BACK

26. Lift by using your Legs, stomach and hips muscles NOT YOUR BACK

27. General lifting rules.
• Prepare to lift by warming up the muscles.
• Stand close to the load, facing the way you
intend to move.
• Use a wide stance to gain balance.
• Ensure a good grip on the load.
• Keep arms straight.
• Tighten abdominal muscles.
• Initiate the lift with body weight.
• Lift the load close to the body.

28. General lifting rules.
• Lift smoothly without jerking.
• Avoid twisting and side bending while lifting.
• Do not lift if you are not convinced that you
can handle the load safely.
• It is also important that workers:
Take advantage of rest periods to relax
tired muscles; this prevents fatigue from
building up
Report discomforts experienced during
work; this may help to identify hazards and
correct working conditions.

31. WISHA
If the job is a hazard
• Reduce weight of load
• Increase weight of load so that it
requires mechanical assistance.
• Reduce the capacity of the
container, etc.

32. DRIVING
Here are some easy things to look for
before you start your drive:
1. Remove items from your pockets, such as a wallet or
keys, which may press on soft tissue as you sit down.
This compression can reduce circulation or press on
nerves and other soft tissues.
2. Position items that you may need during your drive :
sunglasses, tissue, if you have allergies, mints, etc.
Place these in a location so you do not have to reach for
them while driving. If you have to reach for an item, take
the time to pull over in a safe place instead of risking an
accident and/or injury due to awkward reaching.

33. DRIVING
3. Buckle up! If the seat belt strap is uncomfortable, take
a short piece of foam and place it on the part of the
strap that is not comfortable against your body. If you
like to spend money, purchase a shoulder strap
cushion at your favourite store where car accessories
are sold.
4. Adjust your mirrors so that you do not have to
crane your neck to see. If you have a blind spot in
your car you can attach a small mirror on your
dashboard to improve your view.
5. Back tilt – The least amount of pressure on the back
occurs when your seat back is at 100-110 degrees so
that you are slightly reclined. The seat back should fully
support your back.

34. DRIVING
6. Seat pan tilt – the seat of your car should allow for
your knees to be slightly lower than your hips. This
opens up your hip flexors and increases circulation to
the back and decreases pressure on the lower back.

35. DRIVING
There are common postures that should be avoided :
 The death grip – This grip results in decreased
circulation and muscle tension. Your grip should be light.
If your knuckles are white, you are gripping too hard!
 The one arm cool dude - The wrist rests at 12 o’clock
on the steering wheel and the fingers flop over the top,
this cause compression of soft tissue of the wrist.
 Arms straight out in front to reach the steering wheel
- You should be able to drive with your shoulders relaxed
and your arms close to the sides of your body.