This document discusses physiotherapy approaches to workplace ergonomics. It begins by defining ergonomics as the scientific study of interactions between humans and other elements of a system. Ergonomics aims to optimize human well-being and system performance. The document then outlines several disciplines associated with ergonomics including anthropometry, biomechanics, industrial engineering, and physiotherapy. It also discusses the benefits of workplace ergonomics, such as increased safety, reduced costs, and improved productivity. Finally, the document describes several physiotherapy techniques for improving workplace ergonomics like postural correction, rest exercises, modalities, and diversional therapy.

1. PHYSIOTHERAPY APPROACH ON
SAFE BODY ERGONOMICS
AT THE WORKPLACE
EMMANUEL OSEI-WUSU
(Healthcare professional, Ghana)

2. TOPIC OUTLINE
THE FOCUS OF ERGONOMICS
DISCIPLINE ASSOCIATED WITH ERGONOMICS
BRIEF HISTORY OF ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS DOMAIN OF SPECIALIZATION
 BENEFITS OF WORKPLACE ERGONOMICS
 WORKPLACE ERGONOMICS PROCESS
 WORKPLACE ERGONOMICS RISK FACTORS
 PHYSIOTHERAPY APPROACH ON SAFE BODY ERGONOMICS

3. THE FOCUS OF ERGONOMICS

4. ERGONOMICS
According to International Ergonomics Association
(2000), it is defined as the scientific discipline concerned
with the understanding of interactions among human and
other elements of a system, & the profession that applies
theory, principles, data, & methods to design in order to
optimize human well-being & overall system performance.

5. ERGONOMICS
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines ergonomics as the science of
“designing the job to fit the worker, rather than forcing the worker to fit the job” (Ho, 2017)
• Ergonomic principles adapt work to a specific person by designing tasks & tools or equipment to
fit the individual to prevent injuries to the musculoskeletal system
“Fitting the Job to the Worker”
NOT
“Fitting The Person To The Job”

6. ERGONOMICS
• What is Ergonomics?
• ERGON= “work”
• NOMOS = “Rules or laws”
• It literally means the “laws of work”
or “science of work”.

13. DISCIPLINES
 Anthropometry
 Biomechanics
 Industrial Engineering
 Industrial Design
 Information Design
 Physiology
 Psychology
 Kinesiology and Physiotherapy

14. ERGONOMICS
• - is synonymous with Human Factors and engineering.

17. BENEFITS OF WORKPLACE ERGONOMICS
Makes the job safer by preventing/reducing injury and
illness related to work.
It reduces cost and save money.
Enhances employee’s productivity
Improves Quality
Improves Employee Engagement

21. ERGONOMICS DOMAINS OF
SPECIALIZATION
Physical Ergonomics
Cognitive Ergonomics
Organizational Ergonomics

22. PHYSICAL ERGONOMICS
 Is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric, physiological and
biomechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity.
Relevant Topics Include
Working Postures
Materials Handling
Repetitive movements
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Workplace layout
Physical Safety and Health

23. COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS
Is concerned with mental processes such as perception, memory, reasoning and motor response, as
they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system.
Relevant Topics
Mental Workload
Decision making
Skilled performance
Human-computer interaction
Human reliability
Work stress
Training as they may relate to systems design

24. ORGANIZATIONAL ERGONOMICS
 Is concerned with the optimization of sociotechnical systems, including their organizational structures, policies and
processes.
 Relevant topics may include;
 Communication
 Crew resource management
 Work design
 Design of working times
 Teamwork
 Participatory design
 Community Ergonomics
 Cooperative work
 New work paradigms
 Virtual organizations
 Telework
 Quality management

25. PHYSIOTHERAPY APPROACH
• Physiotherapy aim is to improve workspaces and its environments to reduce the risk of injury.
• These physiotherapy approach to workplace ergonomics have multiple effect on the physical,
cognitive and organizational components on the individual and its working environment

26. PHYSIOTHERAPY APPROACH
Postural Correction and Therapeutic Handling
Rest Interval Exercises and stretches
Manipulation and Modalities ( I.FT, U.S, TENS)
Diversional Therapy (Relaxation techniques, yoga
aromatherapy, music therapy, recreational activities)
Ergonomic Re-education & Counselling

27. POSTURAL CORRECTION

28. REST INTERVAL EXERCISES AND STRETCHES

29. MANIPULATION AND MODALITIES
TECHNIQUE

30. DIVERSIONAL THERAPY

31. TAKE HOME MESSAGE
THERE IS NO “ONE SIZE FITS ALL”.
It’s not just the furniture! Habits must also change.
Remember, repeated poor postures or movements, expose your muscles to micro traumas, which
gradually develop into serious MSD that can be quite hard to manage.
Exercises and rest interval stretches are very important as a lifestyle modification.
And, its freely available…you don’t really need to pay for it, yet it comes with a plethora of
benefits!
YOUR EFFICIENCY NEEDS ERGONOMICS (“A happy and injury free staff is a productive
staff”)

32. REFERENCES
BOOKS
Bridger, R.S (2003). “Introduction to Ergonomics”. Taylor and Francis Inc.
ONLINE SOURCES
UNC Institutional Integrity & Risk Management Environment, Health & Safety
(2020). “Home and Hobby Ergonomics”. Retrieved from ehs.unc.edu/workplace-
safety/ergonomics/outside
Wikipedia (2020). “Human factors and ergonomics”. Retrieved from
en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Human-factors-and-ergonomics#History-of-the-field

33. REFERENCES
ONLINE SOURCES
Department of Industrial Engineering Dalhousie University(n.d).
“What is Industrial Engineering?” Retrieved from
dal.ca/faculty/engineering/industrial/about/whatisIE.html
ErgoPlus (n.d.). “Workplace Ergonomics Resources.” Retrieved from ergo- plus.com/workplace-
`` ergonomics/
Middlesworth, Math (n.d.) “Ergonomics 101: The definitions, Domains and Applications of
Ergonomics” Retrieved from ergo- plus.com/ergonomics- definition-domains-applications/