1. Ergonomics is defined as fitting the work to the worker in order to reduce musculoskeletal disorders. 2. Physical risk factors like force, posture, duration, repetition, and vibration can cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders if they occur in combination. 3. These physical risk factors can often be modified or reduced through ergonomic principles applied to tasks, jobs, and the work environment.

1. Ergonomics Awareness
Training
David Watson
Ground Safety Officer

2. Ergonomics
• A study of how to fit the
workplace to the worker.
While the use of the term
Ergonomics has become
more common recently,
ergonomics is not a new
science. The term was
actually coined in 1857 by
a Polish scholar.

3. Ergonomics Awareness
Fitting Workplace to the Worker
The workplace has been modified to fit the
worker. To reduce the risk of Work-
related Musculoskeletal Disorders
(WMSDs), the workplace should be
designed to fit the worker.

4. Importance of Ergonomics
• Improve health and safety through
the reduction of ergonomics risk
factors and resulting work-related
injuries and disorders
• Support mission readiness
• Improve comfort, morale,
productivity and job satisfaction
• Reduce workers’ compensation
costs and employee turnover

5. Injuries — Musculoskeletal Disorders
(MSD)
• MSDs are a category of
injuries and disorders that deal
with the musculoskeletal
system.
• These disorders are not
usually caused by acute
trauma but instead occur
slowly over time due to wear
and tear on the nervous
system and soft tissues, such
as:
• Muscles
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Cartilage
• Nerves

6. WMSDs are caused or aggravated by work
methods and/or environments. WMSDs do not
generally result from a single event or
accident, but rather are disorders that have
developed gradually from chronic workplace
and occupational conditions causing repeated
trauma.
Common WMSDs include:
Work-related Musculoskeletal
Disorders (WMSDs)

7. Tendinitis (informally also tendonitis),
• Meaning inflammation of a tendon (the suffix
"itis" means "inflammation"), is a type of
tendinopathy often confused with the more
common tendinosis, which has similar
symptoms but requires different treatment.[1]
The term tendinitis should be reserved for
tendon injuries that involve larger-scale acute
injuries accompanied by inflammation. Generally
tendinitis is referred to by the body part involved,
such as Achilles tendinitis (affecting the
Achilles tendon), or patellar tendinitis (
jumper's knee, affecting the patellar tendon).

8. Tennis Elbow
• A condition where the outer part of the
elbow becomes sore and tender. It is a
condition that is commonly associated with
playing tennis and other racquet sports,
though the injury can happen to almost
anybody

9. Bursitis
• A inflammation of one or more bursae (small
sacs) of synovial fluid in the body. The bursae
rest at the points where internal functionaries,
such as muscles and tendons, slide across
bone. Healthy bursae create a smooth, almost
frictionless functional gliding surface making
normal movement painless. When bursitis
occurs, however, movement relying upon the
inflamed bursa becomes difficult and painful.
Moreover, movement of tendons and muscles
over the inflamed bursa aggravates its
inflammation, perpetuating the problem

10. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), or
median neuropathy at the wrist
• A medical condition in which the median
nerve is compressed at the wrist, leading
to paresthesias, numbness and muscle
weakness in the hand. Night symptoms
and waking at night is a characteristic of
established carpal tunnel syndrome.

11. Herniated disc
• Rupturing of the tissue that separates the
vertebral bones of the spinal column.

12. Physical factors have to occur in combination to pose a risk.
Physical risk factors include:
• Compression
• Non-neutral, awkward or static posture
• Vibration
• High forces
• Repetition
• Duration
By applying ergonomics principles to tasks, jobs and the
work environment, physical risk factors can usually be
modified or reduced.

13. Summary
• The key points to remember about
ergonomics are that:
1. Ergonomics is defined as fitting the work to the worker.
2. Physical risk factors that can cause WMSDs are :
force, posture, duration, repetition, and vibration.
3. Physical risk factors can be eliminated or reduced in
the work place.

14. Take some time for your health and check out how
your working environment stands up to evaluation.
Things to look for Possible solutions Things to look for Possible solutions
Prolonged hunched or
elevated shoulder while
holding the phone
Telephone headset
Speakerphone
Elbows splayed out (shoulder
abduction)
Lower work surface
Lower chair armrests
Bring chair armrests in closer
Awareness and habit training
Raised or tensed shoulders
Habit or tension training
Lower work surface or keyboard
Lower chair armrests
Raise chair, if foot contact with
the floor can be maintained
Wrists bent back (extended) or
forward (flexed) for prolonged
periods
Habit training
Palm rest
Lower, raise, or change slope of
the keyboard
Lumbar back area not
supported
Lumbar cushion
Backrest height and tilt
Check chair fit, especially
backrest/lumbar height
Prolonged mouse use Greater work variety
Aggressive break schedule
Alternate hands
Alternative pointing devices
Arm support, including small
table
Mouse close to body
(extended keyboard tray)
Learn keystroke substitutes for
menus
Eyestrain complaints Check all aspects of visual
environment
Suggest consultation with vision
specialist
Neck severely flexed (downward) Tilt face of monitor back
Tilt document - do not lay flat on
work surface
Raise document or monitor to a
comfortable height
Adjust posture
Habit retraining
Check glasses for proper
prescription

15. REMEMBER
Fit the workplace to the
worker.
NOT the worker to the
workplace.