Ergonomics is a discipline that involves arranging the environment to fit the person in it. In other words, Ergonomics is the science and the art of fitting the job and the workplace to workers’ needs.
2. Presentation Outlines
What is Ergonomics?
Why Ergonomics emerged?
Types of Ergonomics
Objectives of Ergonomics
Effects of Ergonomics
Ergonomics Risk Factors
Preventing and Minimising injuries
Advantages of Ergonomics
Conclusion
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3. What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is a discipline that involves
arranging the environment to fit the
person in it.
In other words
Ergonomics is the science and the art of
fitting the job and the workplace to
workers’ needs.
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4. Why Ergonomics emerged?
As early as 18th
century doctors noted that workers who required to maintain body
positions for long periods of time developed musculoskeletal problems.
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5. Types of Ergonomics?
Physical ergonomics is the human body’s responses to physical and physiological
work loads. Repetitive strain injuries from repetition, vibration, force, and posture fall
into this category.
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.
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.
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6. Objectives of Ergonomics?
The objective is to improve the efficiency of operation by taking into account a
typical person's size, strength, speed, visual acuity, and physiological stresses, such as
fatigue, speed of decision making, and demands on memory and perception.
To maximize productivity while lowering the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).
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An MSD is a disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, blood
vessels or spinal discs.
Examples:
•carpal tunnel syndrome,
•tendonitis and
•back disorders.
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
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How to reduce Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Maintain Neutral Posture
1. Maintain erect position of back & neck
2. Position equipment & work directly in front of and close to your major tasks
3. Keep upper arms close to the body, elbows 90-100 degrees
4. Keep feet flat on floor, upper body weight resting on “sits bones”
5. Wrists as neutral as possible; safe zone for wrist movement is 15 degrees in all directions
6. Avoid bending neck forward for prolonged periods of
7. Avoid static positions for prolonged time; muscles fatigue-move to circulation!
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Awkward Posture
Being in these work positions for more than 2 hours total per day
• Hands above head
• Back bent forward more than 30 degrees
• Neck bent more than 30 degrees
• Squatting & Kneeling
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Pinching 2 or
more pounds
weight or 4
or more
pounds force
Gripping 10 or more
pounds weight or
force
High Hand Force
For more than 2 hours per day
17. Two classifications of ergonomic injuries
Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD’s) – exposure driven
Strains/Sprains – instantaneous (event driven)
Effects of Ergonomics?
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18. Injury to soft tissue caused by prolonged exposure to multiple ergonomic risk factors
Typically develop in small body segments (i.e. fingers, wrists, elbows, and neck)
Examples:
Tendon disorders
Nerve disorders
Neurovascular disorders
1. Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD’s)
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19. Injury to connective tissue caused by single forceful event, lifting heavy objects
in awkward position
Common to large body segments (i.e. back, legs, and shoulders)
Risk of injury increases with the presence of multiple risk factors
2. Strains & Sprains
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21. Preventing and Minimising injuries.
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• Take short breaks hourly.
• Every 5 minutes, look away from the screen and focus your eyes on something in the
distance.
• Warm up & stretch before activities that are repetitive, static or prolonged.
• Take frequent breaks from any sustained posture every 20-30 minutes.
• Respect pain- positions or stop painful activity.
• Be aware of workstation environment.
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Advantages
Maximize productivity, efficiency and quality
Reduce MSD risk by eliminating or minimizing ergonomic risk factors
Cost savings associated with injury
help you do work safely
make you more comfortable & prevent injuries
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• Minimize ergonomic risk factors in your area
• Stretch throughout the shift especially before and after activities that require
awkward positions or lifting
• Pay attention to your body and know your physical limitations
• Report ergonomics issues through appropriate channels.
• Ergonomic injuries are preventable, and you own your own safety
Conclusion