Basic Safety and Health Ergonomics program awareness training

1. Ergonomic
Awareness
Presented by:
David Hiipakka, MPH
Certified Industrial Hygienist / Certified Safety
Professional (CIH / CSP)

2. Common Definitions
“Ergonomics is essentially fitting the workplace
to the worker. The better the fit the higher
the level of safety and worker efficiency.”
Fitting the Task to the Human ~ Grandjean 1990
“Ergonomics removes barriers to quality,
productivity and human performance by
fitting products, tasks, and environments
to people.” ErgoWeb.com
What is Ergonomics? er·go·nom·icsûrg-go-'näm-iks

3. Do historic occupational
disorders still exist? Yes!
 They are part of a broad category of injuries and disorders
called Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). MSDs are not
usually caused by acute trauma, but occur slowly over
time due to repetitive injuries to the soft tissues (muscles,
tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage) and nervous system
 MSDs can happen to anyone from office workers and industrial
employees to athletes and hobbyists
Before Improved

4. What characteristics of your job put
you at risk for MSDs?
Repetition
Awkward Postures
Static Postures
Cold Temperatures
Prolonged, repeated or extreme exposure to multiple
WMSD risk factors can cause damage to a workers
body. Risk Factors include:
Excessive Force
Vibration
Compression
Inadequate Recovery

5. What Factors Contribute to
WMSDs?
 Static neck, back, and shoulder postures

6. Repetition = Performing the same motion
or group of motions excessively.
Examples of Repetition
Repeating the same motion
every few seconds or
repeating a cycle of motions
involving the same body
parts more than twice per
minute for more than 2
consecutive hours in a row
Using a tool or an input
device, (i.e., keyboard) at
a steady pace > than 4
hours total in a shift
Excessive
repetition of
movements can
irritate tendons
or increase
pressure on
nerves

7. Awkward Postures = Postures outside
of neutral (Baseball Strike Zone).
Neutral is the optimal
position of each
joint that provides
the most strength
and control
Before: Lab technician tilts
his neck forward to view
the screen into a non-
neutral posture. He also
bends over resting on his
forearms to write on the
documents.
Ergonomic Improvement:
Sailor easily views the
screen from a neutral
posture. The workstation
adjusts to accommodate
different working heights
and users. When standing,
work should be about elbow
height.
Awkward or unsupported
postures that stretch
physical limits, can
compress nerves and
irritate tendons

8. Awkward Postures =
Postures outside of neutral.
Examples of Awkward Hand / Wrist Postures:

9. Awkward Postures =
Postures outside of neutral.
Examples of Awkward Postures:
Repeatedly raising or working
with the hand(s) above the
head or the elbow(s) above
the shoulder(s) for more than
2 hours per day
NEW PHOTOS
Kneeling or squatting for more
than 2 hours total per day
Working with the back, neck or
wrist bent or twisted for more then
2 hours per day
Sitting with feet unsupported

10. What are MSD Signs and Symptoms?
Painful aching joints, muscles
Pain, tingling or numbness
Fingers or toes turning white
Shooting or stabbing pains
Swelling or inflammation
Stiffness or difficulty moving
Pain during the night

11. What should you do if you experience a
MSD Sign or Symptom?
Report chronic discomfort, pain or signs
and symptoms of MSD injury to a
supervisor, safety professional /
industrial hygienist AS EARLY AS
POSSIBLE
If pain or discomfort does not go away
when you leave work or interferes
with you carrying out normal
activities, see an occupational health
nurse or physician

12. How do you Avoid MSDs?
Work Smarter, Not Harder!
Work in neutral
postures
Reduce excessive force
& repetition
Keep everything in
easy reach and at
proper heights
Keep warm
Minimize static
unsupported postures
and pressure points
Use proper lifting
techniques and lift aides
Ask for assistance with
difficult tasks
Take micro-breaks (stand,
stretch, change tasks)
Maintain a comfortable
environment

13. Ergonomic Interventions
Dental technician working in optimized
ergonomic posture at ergo-bench with
forearm supports and central (locally-
ventilated) work piece support. Table
also has overhead task lighting,
magnifying lens and a drill speed
control operated by the tech’s right knee

14. Ergonomic Issues: We’re all different /
No Universal Solution

15. Material Handling Ergonomic Risks of
Special Interest
Warehouse materials must be
raised OFF the floor to least
KNEE LEVEL
(Optimal = hip-high) to
minimize back-injury risks

16. Ergonomic Problems: Material Handling
Outside of Neutral “Strike Zone”

17. Ergonomic Problems: Repetitive Work in
Awkward Body Posture

18. Ergonomic Problems: Excessive Weight
Moved in Awkward Body Postures!

19. Neutral Posture for Computer Use
Adjust the seat height
so upper arms hang
vertically, elbows bent
about 90 degrees,
shoulders relaxed and
wrists fairly straight
Position the monitor about an
arm’s length away directly in
front of you. The top of the
screen no higher than eye
level (Unless the user wears
bi-focal glasses)
Use a document
holder close to the
monitor rather than
laying papers flat
Mouse should be next to
keyboard both at a height
equivalent to the user’s seated
elbow height
Knees comfortably bent with
feet resting on the floor. If the
chair is raised so the keyboard
height equals elbow height, use
a footrest .
Adjust
the back
rest to
provide
firm
support
to the
small of
the back

20. UNSAT PC Station “Design”

21. UNSAT PC Station “Design”

22. “NATURAL” KEYBOARDS
Awkward wrist postures minimized with 15 to 25
horizontal degree key split AND 8 to 66 degree vertical
incline.
Key Layout Design Changes Have:
 increased comfort (81% of users)
improved postures
reduced muscle activity
lowered carpal tunnel pressure in lab settings
Obtained primarily to alleviate an injury ….MUCH better to
buy before workers reach this point !!

23. Alternative Pointing Devices
Track-balls
“Scrolling” Mouse

24. Other Ergonomic PC Accessories
Height-adjustable articulating keyboard tray –
keep mouse @ same level !!

25. MODEL COMPUTER
WORKSTATION
 --Keyboard trays WITH wrist
support.
 --Split "Natural" keyboards to
facilitate neutral wrist angle
 --Fully adjustable ergonomic chair
 --Document holder to minimize head
/ eye & neck movements
 --Corner desk units position monitor
directly in front of employee
 --Foot rest where requested.
 --Re-organization of working
materials within arm reach.
 --Alternative pointing devices (e.g.,
scrolling mouse or trackball devices

26. Standing PC Work Stations

27. Recap of What ergonomic Benefits
The anticipated benefits of good workplace design:
Improved Health and Safety by Reducing Work-
related Injuries and Disorders
Improved Comfort + Morale = Job Satisfaction
Improved Productivity and Reduced Workers’
Compensation Costs / Employee Turnover
Before Improved

28. ANY QUESTIONS ??

29. OPNAVINST 5100.23 Self Ergo Evals

30. OPNAVINST 5100.23 Self Ergo Evals

31. OPNAVINST 5100.23 Self Ergo Evals

32. OPNAVINST 5100.23 Self Ergo Evals

33. OPNAVINST 5100.23 Self Ergo Evals

34. OPNAVINST 5100.23 Self Ergo Evals