3. Introduction
Awareness of ergonomics is poor among
health worker and general public in Nigeria
Leading cause MSD
Decrease productivity
Routine workplace assessment and education
is key in prevention of WRMDs
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4. Definition
• Ergonomics is derived from 2 Greek words
Ergo + Nomos =Ergonomics
Work + Laws = Laws of Work
• It is the scientific study of human at work
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5. Definition
• designing the job to fit the worker, not forcing
the worker to fit the job
• Is the science that deals with designing and
ongoing things, so that people can use them
easily and safely.
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7. Objectives of Ergonomics
To improve the relationship between
equipment, work place and
environments
To increase work efficiency and
productivity
To promote safety and comfort at the
work station
To reduce physical workload
To minimize the risk of injury, illness,
accidents, and errors without
compromising productivity
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8. Types of ergonomics
Physical ergonomics- repetition, force,
vibration, poor postures
Cognitive ergonomics- mental strain
from work load, decision making,
human error, training
Organizational ergonomics-shifts,
scheduling, job satisfaction,
supervision, teamwork, ethics
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9. Significance of Ergonomics
To reduce work related injuries
To increase workers productivity
Increase work quality
Reduced absenteeism
Increase morale
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10. Poor ergonomics
poor ergonomics is the leading cause of
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
WRMDs are fastest growing injury category
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12. MSD
MSDs are injuries caused by sustained
exposure to stressors or repeated motion.
They may affect Muscles, Tendons,
Ligaments, Bones, Blood vessels and
Nerves
Some well known MSDs are:
◦ Carpal tunnel syndrome
◦ Tennis elbow
◦ Trigger finger
◦ Wallet syndrome
◦ Low Back pain etc…. Ergonomics 12
16. Signs of MSD
Decreased ROM
Loss of function
Deformity
Cramping
Loss of color
Decreased grip strength
Loss of balance
Swelling
Redness
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17. Management
Review your work area
◦ You spend most of your day in work area
◦ You don’t want your work area to
contribute to your ergonomic problems
◦ WORK COMFORTABLY
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25. Management
Arranging your workplace
Arrange the tool around your desk so you
minimize distance you have to reach for
them.
Divide your work zone into 3 zones
Primary work zone : The distance from your
elbow to hand things you touch on daily
basis.
Secondary zone : within arms reach use this
zone to positions those items that you use
frequently but don’t need them all the time.
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26. LIGHTING AND MONITOR GLARE
Lighting should be indirect and adequate
Not too much light it may cause glare,
headache and eye fatigue.
If there is glare on your eyes as you work
adjust window blinds or glare screen on
your computers.
image
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28. Ergonomic stressor
Noise can be a stressor
If your office is near a noise source, close
your doors, or wear ear plugs
Besides causing ear damage, constant
noise can create muscle tension in the body
causing fatigue and making it easier for
ergonomic injury.
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29. Tempereture
People are more prone to ergonomic
injuries in cold environment, Muscles and
other tissues are more tense because of
decreased circulation
Dress appropriately
Stretch your hands, to loosen your finger
muscle before keyboarding.
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30. Mechanical contact stress
A hard or sharp surface or object pressing
Example
resting wrist on your desk edge while
typing or using mouse
Leaning your elbow on armrest or work
surface
Sitting in chair that places pressure on the
back of the thigh
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31. Vibration
Hand- arm vibration
Whole body vibration
Even if these do not occur in your work
environment, what about home activities.
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32. Solutions
avoid repetition
Performing the same or similar motion
repeatedly for extended periods without
time for rest and recovery can lead to
discomfort and trauma
Example:
◦ Key boarding, moussing
◦ Flipping through files
◦ Punching
◦ hammering
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33. Avoid long duration of same
task
The longer the uninterrupted duration of a
task, the more potential for discomfort or
injury.
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34. Stretch breaks
Small frequent stretches go a long way in
preventing MSDs
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35. A few break idea
Organize task around built in breaks
Eye breaks – blink to moisten eyes every 5-
10mins. Every 15mins look away from the
screen to a distant object in the room
Micro breaks
Rest breaks: every 30-60 mins take a brief
5mins break.
Exercise break every 1-2 hours do gentle
stretching exercise
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