Bar Camp Cork III Ergo & Stretching Presentation Ellybabes

The importance of stretching and office ergonomics Elly Parker @ellybabes BarCamp Cork III – 14 th Nov 2009

Background Data

External Studies: 6943 employee survey responses in Denmark
10.9% said they experienced tingling / numbness in the right hand at least once a week in the last 3 months
Statistically elevated risk of injury from increased mouse usage but not from keyboard until 20 hours reached
Note : results were self reported but show similar trend to site findings
Keyboard is safer than mouse
Higher PC usage = higher risk
Hours per week Mouse use Number(%) Odds Ratio 0 to <2.5 51 (5.9) 1.0 2.5 to <5 25 (5.7) 1.0 5 to <10 62 (7.9) 1.5 10 to <15 111 (10.0) 1.8 15 to <20 137 (13.2) 2.8 20 to <25 115 (14.2) 3.3 25 to <30 60 (17.2) 4.3 >= 30 42 (15.4) 3.8 Keyboard use 0 to <2.5 59 (12.6) 1.0 2.5 to <5 115 (11.1) 0.7 5 to <10 190 (9.9) 0.7 10 to <15 140 (10.4) 0.9 15 to <20 72 (11.4) 0.8

My Company Safety Statistics
At least 55% of injuries were mouse related - 7 % keyboard related
85 of these reported injuries (63%) said they regularly spent more than 6 hours a day on their PCs
Keyboard is safer than mouse
Higher PC usage = higher risk
Micro Activity Cause Count Mouse Use – Technique 48 Posture 27 Mouse Use – Excessive 22 Laptop Use – Direct 11 Typing – Technique 8 Other 5 Mouse Use – Improper fit 4 Sitting 4 Document 2 Monitor Use 2 Phone Use 1 Typing – Excessive 1 Total 135

What is Ergo?
"the study of the relationship between the employee and their work environment to increase safety...comfort...and productivity ."

What can happen with bad ergo?
Repetitive Strain Injury
Back Pain
Neck/Shoulder Pain
Stress
Trapped Nerves
Scott Adams – lethargic on left butt cheek, active on right!

Workstation Ergonomics: Neutral Posture
1. Back upright while maintaining curve of lower back
2. Top of monitor at eye level or slightly lower
3. No glare on screen
4. Sit at arms length with shoulders comfortably down and back
5. Feet on floor or footrest; knees slightly lower than hips
6. Use a document holder when reading from printed original
7. Relaxed in a straight, neutral position without resting on the edge of a surface.
8. Arms and elbows close to body
9. Center monitor and keyboard in front of you
10. Fingers gently curved downward
11. Use a stable work surface
12. Take frequent micro-breaks

Computer Workstation Tips
Order of adjustments is important
Adjust chair first
Then adjust keyboard and mouse
Finally, adjust monitor
No single “right” way to sit; everyone is a little different
Varying position throughout the day is helpful
Stretching, especially at the beginning of the day, can prevent fatigue and soreness
Take micro-breaks (1 minute or less every 30 minutes)

Chair Tips
Tighten the backrest so that it does not give way with body weight
Readjust the chair throughout the day to vary body position

Keyboard Tips
Keep wrists and hands in line with forearm in a straight, neutral position.
Avoid resting wrist on a surface edge or even a pad while keyboarding
VERY WRONG!

Mouse Tips
Mouse should be held loosely and fit naturally under the palm of the hand.
Avoid holding the index finger elevated between clicks
Tips for keyboards also apply to mouse (Slide 4)

Monitor Tips
Top of screen at or just below eye level (exception: bifocals and trifocal lens wearers).
Monitor should be directly in front of user; screen distance about arms length away.
Room lighting - avoid backlight, shadows or reflective glare.

Work Surface Tips
Work within your normal
range of motion
Usual zone – for most frequently used items e.g. keyboard and mouse
Occasional zone – for items used periodically e.g. phone, calculator
Rare zone – for items that are seldom used or for display only

Note About Short Cuts
While using keyboard shortcuts are encouraged, it is important to note
that awkward hand postures may result when performing shortcuts
utilizing only one hand; engaging in repetitive awkward hand postures
may pose an ergonomic risk over time.
When performing frequent keyboard shortcuts, recommend utilizing
two hands in order to keep the hands/wrists straight.
Using the left hand to activate alt-tab, results in an awkward wrist posture for this user. This would be considered a risk if repetitively performed over time.
Utilizing two hands enables the user to maintain neutral wrist postures

Risks or precautions to remember when stretching
Good posture is maintained throughout. There should be no stress on the joints only a stretch in the muscles.
Repeated excessive stretching can cause micro-trauma to the tissues and nerves. Stretches should be comfortable throughout.
Prolonged stretching can reduce the blood supply and oxygen to the tissues. Stretches should only be held for up to 30 seconds.
A quick stretch causes the stretch reflex to kick in which inevitably tightens the muscle and can lead to injury. Stretches should be slow and sustained.

Personal Exercise Program To stretch the muscles at the back of the neck
Bend your head forward until you feel a stretch behind your neck. Hold for approx. 5 secs.
Repeat 3 times.
To ensure full range movement of the neck.
Bend your head backwards as far as is comfortable.
Hold for approx 5 seconds.
Repeat 3 times

Pull your chin in.
At the end of the poke position; take hold of your chin with your hands.
Push your chin carefully further backwards.
Hold for a moment & feel the stretch in your neck.
Repeat 3 times.
To correct poking head posture and stretch the neck extensor muscles at the back of the neck. To stretch the upper trapezius muscle at the side of the neck and upper shoulder region
Put one hand over your head onto the opposite ear.
Tilt your head and let the hand on your ear bend away from the side to be stretched.
Repeat 3 times to both sides

Personal Exercise Program
Stand straight with one hand on your hip and the other straight up.
Bend to the side with opposite arm reaching overhead. Keep your pelvis in mid position.
Repeat 2 times to each side.
Reach up to the ceiling and hold for 5 secs, then drop into forward bend (touch the toes position). No bouncing!!

Link hands behind back, palms facing outward. Stretch up and away from body feeling the stretch across the front of the chest. Hold for 10 secs, repeat 2-3 times.
Link hands in front of body, palms facing outward. Stretch away from body, feeling the stretch through the shoulders and across the back. Hold for 10 secs, repeat 2-3 times.
These two stretches can be linked into one movement.

Sit or stand.
Roll your shoulders in both directions
Repeat 3 times
For shoulder relaxation. To stretch the posterior shoulder muscles and triceps.
Stand or sit.
Stretch one arm over the opposite shoulder by pushing it at the elbow with your other arm.
Hold the stretching approx 15 seconds. Relax.
Repeat 3 times

Personal Exercise Program
Stand holding onto a support. Bend one knee and take hold of the ankle.
Do not lock the knee of the leg that you are standing on.
Draw your heels towards your buttock.
Tilt your hips forward so that your knee points toward the floor.
Feel the stretch in the front of your thigh.
Hold 15 seconds
Repeat 3 times
Quadriceps Muscle Stretch

Personal Exercise Program To stretch the forearm extensors
Let your hand drop down.
Gently assist the movement with your other hand.
Hold for 15 seconds
Prayer position
Sit or stand.
Forearms horizontally in front of you and your palms together.
Push palms together for 5 secs.
Repeat 3 times.
To increase stretch, bend hands from side to side slowly, keeping palms pushed together.

Bar Camp Cork III Ergo & Stretching Presentation Ellybabes

by ellybabes on Nov 23, 2009

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Bar Camp Cork III Ergo & Stretching Presentation Ellybabes — Presentation Transcript