This document summarizes ergonomic risk factors and recommendations for office workstation design to prevent repetitive strain injuries. It identifies major risk factors like carpal tunnel syndrome and discusses neutral posture and positioning of monitors, keyboards, mice and desks. The document recommends exercises to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and concludes by emphasizing notifying supervisors of symptoms, taking an active role in workspace design, and strengthening and improving flexibility both at work and home.

1. Office Health

2. Office Workstation Risk Factors Types of Injuries Workstation Design Exercises

3. ERGONOMICS? The Relationship of People to their tools, task, and environment

4. Neutral Posture Defined as the position our bodies take in the absence of gravity Position in which repetitive injury is least likely to occur.

5. Major Risk Factors

6. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome When lining around tendons is inflamed there is less space for the nerve and it becomes compressed

7. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms: pain, weakness, and/or numbness; difficulty making fist, gripping small objects. Treatment: (minor to severe) *Rest, periodic icing, immobilization *Modify activities *Surgery “Carpal Tunnel Release”

8. Workstation Design Chair Monitor Keyboard Mouse Desk

9. Sitting Head is balanced naturally over the shoulders Shoulders relaxed, not hunched Forearms and thighs parallel to the floor, Feet positioned flat on floor.

10. Monitor Position Directly in front of the body 20-40 inches away from body (arm’s length) Top of monitor about eye level, or slightly below

11. Wrist and Hands Position should be where wrist are neutral Wrist straight, not bent or twisted. New styles of keyboards designed to promote neutral posture

12. Mouse Should be at the same level and distance as the keyboard New mouse designs require less index finger work

13. Desk Least flexible component Obtain accessories to make due with existing furnishings

14. Other Accessories That May Help Wrist rest Should be used only during pauses, not during typing Should be made of gel so that it will be resistant to permanent indentations

15. Other Accessories Document holder Should be same level and distance as the monitor. (preferably mounted to monitor)

16. Other Accessories Telephone head set Prevents neck extension while cradling telephone with shoulder

17. Other Accessories Foot Rest If you have trouble keeping your feet on the floor, try a foot rest

18. What’s Wrong?

19. What’s Wrong?

20. Exercises Stress ball Wrist curls Shoulder presses Shoulder shrugs Arm circles Prayer stretches

21. Conclusion If you are experiencing symptoms of MSD’s, notify your supv. & see your doctor Take an active role in designing your workspace to prevent injuries Strengthen and improve flexibility Put practices to work in office and at home.

22. Office Health Thanks for attending!!! Presented by: