The document summarizes an ergonomic audit of a workstation at Venkateshwara Enterprises, which provides printing, scanning, binding, and lamination services. The audit identified several issues with the existing workstation layout, including a computer desk blocking workspace, a narrow entrance, and table heights being too low. Solutions proposed include moving the computer desk, widening the entrance to 19.68 inches, raising table heights to 40.23 inches, adding a lower height table for binding work, and providing footrests to reduce fatigue from long periods of standing. The redesign aims to improve efficiency, comfort, and reduce potential health issues like back pain from awkward postures.

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VENKATESHWARA ENTERPRISES AUDIT
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no.
Contents Page no.
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About
Understanding the workstation
Process
Layout- before and after (AutoCAD)
Identifying the problems and ergonomic
solutions
3-d model with corrected measurements
conclusion
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Ergonomics is a scientific discipline, which is concerned with improving the
productivity, health, safety and comfort of people, as well as promoting
effective interaction among people, technology and the environment in
which both must operate and since a working individual spends most of his
day at his workstation, it is very important that it is ergonomically designed
taking into account the kind of work that is to be done. The workstation
should take into account the various body somatotypes in India.
Anthropometry is the subject that deals with the measurement of the human
external body dimensions in static and dynamic conditions. Designs made
without taking anthropometry into account according to its intended users
can result in various medical problems and operational uneasiness.
For my audit I have used percentile value data taken a specific population
group (Indian body type) from the book, Indian Anthropometric dimensions
for ergonomic design practices. Percentiles are the statistical value of a
distribution of variables transferred into a hundred scale. The population is
divided into 100 percentage categories in respect to various specific body
types of measurements .i.e. 95 th percentile is the taller than average
population, 5 th percentiles is the shorter population and 50 th is the average.
These percentiles are later classified into male, female and combined.

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UNDERSTANDING THE WORKSTATION-Venkateshwara Enterprises
To re-design a workstation ergonomically we need to first understand the
place ,the intended users, the current working scenario, the space, articles
to be used when performing the intended task ,etc.
The workstation Venkateshwara enterprise is a shop which provides for
Xerox, scanning, binding, printing and lamination works. Large scale printing
work like yearly diaries is also done here. The shops work timing is from 7.30
am to 10.30 pm. They take just one break for
lunch for half an hour every day.
The shop has approximately three people
working at a time here which include two men
and one woman; hence I will be taking the
percentile data of 50th percentile combined. The
maximum rush at this shop is in the evening
when they cater to almost 8-10 people at a time. They have an adjacent
room for storage of extra stationary. The shop also has CCTV camera’s with
which the owners keeps a check.
The shop has four printers, one binding
machine, one lamination machine and
one computer desk with computer and a
small printer for removing printouts from
your pen drive.
The current physical complains for the
workers are leg pain, back ache and pain in
the arms. My goal is to try and increase efficiency of the workstation while
maintaining the various ergonomic measurements and making it a more
comfortable workspace.

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THE PROCESS
• Space audit- study the space after sitting there for a day and
understanding what kinds of tasks are performed, how is the body
language of the costumers, the ergonomic problems they are facing
without realising. Analyze the workstation, equipment and environment
relative to the different tasks the employee must perform. Observe
them working for a while to get an idea of their work habits.
• Clicking around 300 photographs of the space with the problems and
taking down measurements of everything in the space.
• Creating a layout in 2D and 3D in AUTOCAD and thoroughly
understanding the problems.
• Changing the layout to increase efficiency and comfort.
• Addressing each of the minute problems and adjusting the
measurements according to the percentile data. Also, understanding
which data fits into which scenario.
• Re creating the new layout which the new measurements in AUTOCAD
and re checking the space and the solutions.
• Sizing down the measurements to 1:10 ratio and making a 3D model
using sun board
INITIAL LAYOUT

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NEW LAYOUT

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IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEMS AND PROVIDING ERGONOMIC
SOLUTIONS
PROBLEM 1: Computer desk is coming in the way because costumers are
standing behind it and the reach for money exchange and handing out
paper is strained. This strain can result in chronic back pain, shoulder pains,
neck pains and arm pains. If the strain is sudden or prolonged to the inter-
vertebral discs, the result will be a painful back condition called the 'slipped
disc'. The computer desk placement is occupying much of the free
movement space. It is also blocking half of table 1 desk space.
PROBLEM MEASUREMENT
OF PROBLEM
SOLUTION MEASUREMENT
OF SOLUTION
Computer desk is coming in
the way because costumers
are standing behind it and
the reach for money
exchange is strained.
The space behind the
computer desk is getting
wasted.
Move the desk at the
back behind the pillar,
which gives user privacy
and doesn’t come in the
way of the workers.
PROBLEM 2: The space behind the computer desk is getting wasted.

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SOLUTION: Move the desk at the back behind the column, which gives user
privacy and doesn’t come in the way of the workers and allows for more
space for movement. The space behind the computer can also be well
utilized. The money and paper transactions can be made without straining
the arm or body.
PROBLEM 3: The current entrance of 14 inches is ergonomically too small.

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SOLUTION: According to the 50th percentile combined average the
maximum body breadth relaxed is 15.94 inches. Therefore, my new entrance
is 19.68 inches allow for not on the individual to walk in comfortably but also
with some amount of hand load/luggage. This will also reduce the strain on
the back , neck and shoulder and reduce the chances of a long term
problem.
To do this, I have reduced the size of table 1 from (Length: 75” and
PROBLEM MEASUREMENT OF
PROBLEM
SOLUTION MEASUREMENT OF
SOLUTION

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Breadth
: 14”) to
(
Length:
70”
Breadth:
14”).
PROBLEM 4: The height of the tables is ergonomically too low. The current
height of table 1 is 34 inches and table 2 is 36 inches. This does not allow the
elbow to be at 90 degrees with the table which causes an awkward bend in
the spine while working and strain the neck and back.
The entrance
ergonomically is too
small.
Current entrance:
14”
Current table no.1:
Length: 75”
Breadth : 14”
Reduce the
table no.1
50th % Max body
breadth-relaxed-
combined:
New Entrance: 19.68”
New table no.1:
Length: 70”
Breadth: 14”

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SOLUTION: The new increased height of the tables is 40.23 inches which is
the 50th percentile elbow height for combined. This will allow for easy and
comfortable work top.
PROBLEM 5: According to ergonomics the height of the table is also set
according to the type of task at hand. The binding machine requires a
downward force and can be classified under heavy work and hence
requires a lower height.

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SOLUTION: I have divided one fourth of table 2 for the binding machine. The
breath of the binding table is 16 inches. Taking into account the force factor I
have reduced the height of the table to 50th percentile combined knuckle
height to 27.4 inches. The table is big enough to fit the binder machine (10
inches) and leave a space of 6 inches around it.
PROBLEM MEASUREMENT OF
PROBLEM
SOLUTION MEASUREMENT OF
SOLUTION
Heights of tables are too
low ergonomically
Increase
height
50th% elbow-
combined:
New height: 40.23”
Table no.1
Current height: 34”
Table no.2
Current height: 36”

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PROBLEM 6: The printing, scanning , binding and laminations work requires
you to stand and do the work. They stand more than 10 hours a day without
too many breaks which can result in adverse health effects on the
employees such as
a. Localised fatigue that can cause pain and discomfort to the
Muscles of the back, neck and shoulders; and the joints of the
knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, and elbows.
b. General fatigue that results in reduced physical ability to
Perform a task. It also can reduce the concentration level of
Employees.
c. Overexertion to the musculoskeletal system.
d. Injuries to the employee such as slipped disc, tendonitis,
Sprained back.
SOLUTION: Provide a footrest for each of three employees which is enough
for one foot and it should be lightweight so that it can be moved around
easily. This way at least one leg is resting at all times. The footrest will also
help in elevating the foot which puts the arch (called lordosis) back in the
low back, combat fatigue and help in recovery. The new foot rest is (Height:
4”; Width: 10”; Length: 7” ).

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Suggested footwear would be:
• Wear shoes that do not change the shape of your foot.
• Choose shoes that provide a firm grip for the heel. If the back of the
shoe is too wide or too soft, the foot will slip causing instability and
soreness.
• Wear shoes that allow freedom to move your toes. Pain and fatigue
result if shoes are too narrow or too shallow.
• Ensure that shoes have arch supports. Lack of arch support causes
flattening of the feet.
• Tighten the lace instep of your footwear firmly. This helps prevent the
foot from slipping inside the shoes or boots.
• Consider using shock-absorbing cushioned insoles.
PROBLEM 7: Computer desk height is too high at a height of 29 inches
according to ergonomics which will make you use it with an improper
posture.

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SOLUTION: Adjust the height of the work surface and/or the height of the
chair so that the work surface allows your elbows to be bent at 90 degrees,
forearms parallel with the floor, wrist straight, shoulders relaxed. The new desk
height is 22.7 inches which is the 50th percentile combined tibitial point which
a raised knee.
The computer screen is placed 18-20 inches away from the person for an
optimum viewing distance. The new location of the computer also prevents
glare or shadows which can cause eye fatigue.
The mouse should have a mousepad.

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PROBLEM MEASUREMENT OF
PROBLEM
SOLUTION MEASUREMENT OF
SOLUTION
Computer desk
height
Desk Height :29”
Desk length: 28”
Desk breadth: 16”
Reduce
height
50th% Thigh clearance
height at tibitial point with
a raised knee-combined:
New height: 22.71”
PROBLEM 8: The current location of the printer is too high and a person
needs to keep getting up from the chair to check on their prints which can
cause back aches, shoulder catches and neck pain.
SOLUTION: The new location of the desk allows for us to increase the size of
the current desk to 36inches which gives us enough of place to keep the
printer on the desk itself which allows us to see the prints easily and we don’t
have to move to collect the prints.

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PROBLEM 9: The current computer chair doesn’t work as it doesn’t change
height anymore or rotate or move around as its old and the parts have
broken.
SOLUTION: Get a new declinable chair with wheels to move around. The
chair height should be set such that your knees should be bent at a
comfortable angle and greater than 90degrees flexion. If this places an
uncomfortable strain on the leg muscles, or if the feet do not reach the floor,
then a footrest should be used.

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PROBLEM 10: Printer 1is currently blocking the desk and reducing the space
for standing for three people at a time.
It is also taking up the storage space in the desk which could be used to
keep printed diaries and binding materials like springs etc.
The diaries and extra papers which are printer are currently stacked on top
of printer 3.
SOLUTIONS: Move the printers closer as too much space is getting wasted
between them and only 10 inches space is required for the printer flap to
open and close. This will create space not only for movement of three
individuals but also for storage of extra papers and binding material.
There is more space created right next to the binder which can be used to
stack papers and diaries.

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PROBLEM 11: There is no seating place when they are resting or not
attending a costumer. Currently they lean on one of the printers and stand in
an awkward positions.
Performing the same or similar motions repeatedly can result in trauma to the
joints and surrounding tissues. Without time for rest and recovery, repetition
can lead to injury.
SOLUTION: Provide a small stool to sit on which can be easily moved
around.The height of the stool is the 50th percentile combined popliteal
height which is 16.73 inches. The length is buttock to popliteal length,normal
sitting,combined 17.91 inches. The breadth of the stool is mid thigh to thigh
relaxed external breadth is 14.52 inches.

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Breaks, appropriately structured, can allow an employee to recover from job
stressors.Stretches and a few light exercises are advised during breaks as lot
of repetitive movement during work is performed in this case.
PROBLEM 12: The extra stationary (stapler, pen, paper, rubber bands, pins)
is kept on top of the printer itself while printing in a cluster or kept on the floor
itself.
SOLUTION: Create a shelf in between each printer to keep stationary. The
height of the shelf is 12 inches above the printer and length is 24 inches, and
the breadth is 9 inches which is the space between the printers.

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PROBLEM 13: The money box is currently out of reach for both the
employees on table one and two .The money box is also too high at 4 feet
from the ground which is causing them to keep the money in plastic
containers on printer 4.
SOLUTION: The money box is shifted from above printer 4 to the space
created near the column in between table one and two. This will make the
money exchange at equidistance from both the tables. The height is also
reduced to 30.23 inches from the ground to avoid injury. The length of the
new box is 9 inches the breadth is 13 inches and the depth is 10 inches.

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3D MODEL OF THE CORRECTED WORKSTATION

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CONCLUSION
This workplace is now more of an ergonomically designed workplace which
will increase the comfort or the employees while increasing efficiency. This
way they will be better protected in the future from long term ergonomic
injuries.
While ergonomic improvements to the work environment are primarily used
to create a safer and more healthful environment, the owner will benefit in
the long term by:
• Preventing injuries in the workspace.
• Lesser injuries will mean lesser holidays taken by the employees.
• Since the layout is better now, it will allow them to work with greater
efficiency.
• The employees will be less fatigued at the end of the day.
• They can attend more costumers now since the transactions with the
money will be easier after placing the cash box in the middle.
• Work environment will improve.
• Increased work quality.