The document discusses office ergonomics and how to prevent postural strain and musculoskeletal injuries. It defines ergonomics as matching human capabilities to job requirements. Ergonomics aims to minimize mismatches between a person and their job. Poor ergonomic setup can cause injuries like back pain and headaches. Elements like lighting, posture, and movement are discussed. Static muscle contraction for long periods can reduce blood flow and cause injuries over time. The document provides tips for efficient posture and movement to reduce strain. Body mechanics for lifting patients safely are also covered.

1. Office Ergonomics
and
Postural Strain
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2. What is Ergonomics
Ergonomics refers to the interaction between
the individual, their work and work
environment so that human capabilities are
reinforced without exceeding human
limitations.
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3. Ergonomics is involved in the interaction
of the three components of all work tasks:
• The Work
• The Worker
• The Workspace
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4. 4
An example of poorly set up workstations.

5. 5
Another example.

6. What Does Ergonomics Aim To Do?
The aim of Ergonomics is to minimise the
mismatch that occurs between the person
and the job or match the capabilities of
humans and the requirements of the job
they are expected to perform.
Where possible, all attempts should be
made to fit the job to the person.
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7. Workplace Injuries
• Back pain
• Shoulder and arm pain
• Headaches
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8. Lighting
• Workers should be able to see clearly.
• Safely perform their work.
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9. Body Mechanics
• Tendons and ligaments cross over joints to
form levers.
• The best, strongest and safest work
position is when the joints are at mid range.
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10. Muscle Activity
Dynamic muscle activity – when joints
are at mid-range.
Static muscle activity – when joints are
at their extreme range.
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11. 11
Above, all joints at mid-range causing dynamic
muscle loading. This is a ‘comfortable’ posture.

12. Occupational Overuse Syndrome
A collective term for a range of conditions
characterised by discomfort or persistent
pain in muscles, tendons and other soft
tissues with or without visible symptoms.
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13. Contributing Factors
Repetitive movement
Sustained or constrained postures
Forceful movements
Incentive schemes that influence work rate
Tight deadlines
Dependent on the duration and frequency
of the tasks being performed.
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14. How Injuries Occur
Static Muscle Contraction

Muscles Tense

Blood Flow is reduced

Muscle Nutrition is reduced

Waste products (lactic acid) build up

Muscle pain and fatigue

Injury/Disability
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15. Efficient Posture
Places minimal or balanced stress on
different body parts.
Requires minimal muscular effort to
sustain.
Is perceived as comfortable by the
individual.
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16. It is important to reinforce that all
persons should vary posture regularly
and usually between sitting and
standing/walking.
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Efficient Posture
Occupational Health & Safety Unit
For example, rather than place a printer on a desk,
locate it where the staff member has to get up and
walk to retrieve printed documents

17. Body Mechanics for Handling of Patient
In health care, all patient-handling
activities, such as positioning, transfers,
and ambulation, are considered high risk
for injury to patients and health care
providers.

18. Body Mechanics
Body mechanics involves the coordinated effort of muscles,
bones, and the nervous system to maintain balance, posture,
and alignment during moving, transferring, and positioning
patients.
Proper body mechanics allows individuals to carry out
activities without excessive use of energy, and helps prevent
injuries for patients and health care providers.

19. MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES
A musculoskeletal injury (MSI) is an injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons,
ligaments, joints or nerves, blood vessels, or related soft tissue including a
sprain, strain, or inflammation related to a work injury.
MSIs are the most common health hazard for health care providers
(WorkSafeBC, 2013).

20. Factor Special Information
Ergonomic risk factors Repetitive or sustained
awkward postures, repetition,
or forceful exertion
Individual risk factors Poor work practice; poor overall
health (smoking, drinking
alcohol, and obesity); poor rest
and recovery; poor fitness,
hydration, and nutrition

21. When health care providers are exposed to ergonomic risk
factors, they become fatigued and risk musculoskeletal
imbalance.
Additional exposure related to individual risk factors puts health
care providers at increased risk for an MSI.

22. Preventing an MSI is achieved by understanding the
elements of body mechanics, applying the principles
of body mechanics to all workrelated activities,
understanding how to assess a patient’s ability to
position or transfer, and learning safe handling
transfers and positioning techniques.

23. ELEMENTS OF BODY MECHANICS
Body movement requires coordinated muscle activity and
neurological integration. It involves the basic elements of body
alignment (posture), balance, and coordinated movement.
Body alignment and posture bring body parts into position to
promote optimal balance and body function.
When the body is well aligned, whether standing, sitting, or lying,
the strain on the joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments is
minimized

24. PRINCIPLES OF BODY MECHANICS

28. Patient Risk Assessment
To prevent and minimize MSI injuries related to patient handling
activities, a risk assessment must be done to determine a patient’s
ability to move, the need for assistance, and the most appropriate
means of assistance .
There are four important areas to assess:
• The patient
• The environment
• The health care provider
• The organization of the work

29. Assessing specific issues
When specific symptoms arise, it is necessary to:
Clarify the symptoms
Attempt to assess the cause of the symptoms
when considering the ergonomics of the work
and workstation.