Office Ergonomic Analysis and Workplace Design

Transcription

Office Ergonomics: Recognizing Hazards and
Identifying Solutions
May 25, 2011
Office Ergonomics: Recognizing
Hazards and Identifying
Solutions
Presented by:
Jonathan Tyson, MASc, CPE
Workplace Consultant
Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
March 25, 2011
Session Overview
• In this session, you will:
– Discover what design related hazards exist in
almost all office workplaces
– Learn why these hazards can lead to
discomfort / pain, reduced performance and
increased costs
– Begin to ‘see’ the design-related hazards that
may contribute to discomfort / pain in office
workplace settings.
Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
1
May 25, 2011
Session Objectives
• At the end of this session you will:
– Know why office ergonomics is important
– Understand why and how poor design
contributes to pain and discomfort
– Be able to identify design related hazards in
your office workplace
– Know how to make simple changes to the setup of computer workstations and the equipment
in order to:
improve the health and well-being of workers
reduce costs for your organization!
First Things First!
• Computerized office workplaces have
hazards!
– Research shows that
 exposure to these hazards can lead to
increased pain / discomfort, reduced
performance and increased costs
 reducing exposure to these hazards can
reduce the risk for workers, improve
performance and reduce costs
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May 25, 2011
What do you think is the
biggest ‘hazard’ most office
workers are exposed to?
First Things First!
• The focus of this workshop is on
design-related hazards
– Physical design
 Equipment design, set-up, etc.
– Organizational / task design
 Work organization, cognitive and physical
variety, work methods, etc.
• The worker is not a hazard
– We need to design for them!
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May 25, 2011
Ergonomics - Definition
• Ergonomics is a systematic process for
designing the workplace for people through the
application of our knowledge of humans to:
–
–
–
–
the equipment they use
the environments in which they work
the tasks they perform and
the management systems in which they work
• The key to good ergonomics is taking a
human-centred view
– Capabilities and needs of the users must be taken into
account
Office Ergonomics
• Office Ergonomics tends to focus on
computer workstations
– Designing workstation components to fit the
user and the task(s) they are performing
• What design features do we need to
consider when looking at the ergonomics of
an office / computer workstation?
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May 25, 2011
Office Ergonomics
• Key workstation design features:
– Work surfaces and work space, leg room and
knee space
– Chair design, fit, comfort
– Set-up of keyboard, input devices, telephones
– Documents, paper-work
– Other equipments (calculators, etc)
– Filing cabinets, shelves
– Space (for movement)
Office Ergonomics
• We also need to consider
– The specific task(s) being performed
 Accounting is different than computer based
drafting, which is different than customer service
– The work environment
– Work organization issues
 Opportunities for mental and physical variety
 Opportunities for rest / recovery
– Other hazards that might exist (manual
material handling, etc.)
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May 25, 2011
The Goals Ergonomics
• Optimize the ‘fit’ between
– the person
– the task(s) they are required to perform
– the equipment needed to perform the task
• Maximize comfort, health and performance
• Ensure that individual needs are
addressed.
What are some ‘individual needs’
that we need to consider?
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May 25, 2011
What are the consequences of
poor design in office workplaces?
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May 25, 2011
Consequences of Poor Design
• Pain and discomfort
–
–
–
–
MSIs
Headaches
Neck and shoulder
Eye discomfort
• Vision concerns
– Dry eyes
• Errors
• Low productivity
• Poor customer service
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
• Types of MSDs
– General Muscle Pain
 Forearm, arm
 Shoulder, upper back
– Lower Back Pain
 Muscles
 Discs / nerves
– Rotator Cuff Syndrome
 Shoulder
–
–
–
–
Tension Neck Syndrome
Tendonitis
Tenosynovitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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May 25, 2011
Key MSD Hazards
Force
Repetition
Posture
Key MSD Hazards
• Force, posture, and repetition
hazards are all influenced by time
• Time / Duration
– The longer the exposure to the hazard the
greater the risk
 20 minutes vs. 4 hours
– Long duration tasks / postures with little or no
opportunity for recovery / postural change are
higher risk
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May 25, 2011
Other MSD Hazards
• Some other MSD hazards found in
offices include:
–
–
–
–
–
Cold temperatures
Hot work environments
Lighting / Glare
Work organization
Work methods
Key MSD Hazards in Offices
• Can you think of any force-related
hazards we will find in an office?
– Low level forces for long duration




Gripping mice
‘Fingers’ hovering over mouse buttons
Keying Tasks
‘Force’ to maintain sitting & working postures
– High level forces
 Lifting of paper boxes
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May 25, 2011
• Can you think of any awkward / sustained
postures found in an office?
– Sitting
– Sitting while not using the backrest, feet not fully
supported, no lumbar support
– Reaching, wrist extension / deviation when mousing
– Wrist extension and deviation when keyboarding
– Neck extension, ‘chin out’, neck rotation
– Holding phone handset between ear and shoulder
• Can you think of any repetition-related
hazards found in an office?
– Repetitive keyboarding
– Repetitive mousing
– Repetitive neck flexion and rotation when
viewing documents
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May 25, 2011
• Duration
– Performing the same tasks, adopting the same
postures
All day, day after day
– Lack of physical variety is a major issue in
offices
Lack of mental variety is also often a problems
– Sitting for long periods with little or no posture
change is a major hazard in office work
settings
Design-Related Hazards
• A mismatch between the design / set-up of
work, the person doing the work, and / or
the tasks being performed
• Poor design contributes to awkward and
hazardous working postures
• Awkward / hazardous postures can lead to
pain and discomfort
• Design also impacts performance, errors,
job satisfaction, operational costs, etc.
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May 25, 2011
We are never without the best
tools for recognizing designrelated hazards in offices!
What do you think these tools
are?
Key Point To Remember …
• There is no such thing as an ergonomic:
– Chair, keyboard, mouse!!
• Why is this important to remember?
• Nothing is in of itself ergonomic … a work
system could be described as being
ergonomic but individual components are
only ergonomic if they:
– Match the task, the user, the environment and
‘fit’ the other components in the system
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May 25, 2011
Recognizing Hazards
• Postural hazards are most common
hazards in offices
– Most of us can easily see / recognize when
others are working in awkward / non-neutral
postures
• We need to ask the worker about their
concerns, discomfort, issues
• We need to find out what the worker does
and how perform their job tasks
Office Ergonomics Checklists
• A checklist can be used to help guide your
observations and questions
– Remember that a checklist can never be all
inclusive
• Use the one provided if it works for you!
• There are lots of them out there!
• Search the Internet and find one that works
for you!
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May 25, 2011
Common Design Issues
Keyboard too high or low
- on high work surface
- on poorly designed / improperly adjusted support
Why is this an issue?
Mouse and keyboard at
different heights
- keyboard support too
small for mouse
- mouse under a work
surface so it can’t be used
comfortably
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May 25, 2011
Mouse too far away from
the user’s side
- arm / elbow must be
moved away from the body
Keyboard / Mouse Supports
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May 25, 2011
Chair does not provide optimal fit / comfort
- adjustments not used / understood
- adjustments / design not adequate
- chair too large / too small
Chair Issues
- seat pan too long / wide
- arm rests too wide
- lack of adequate lumbar
support
- armrests that are too
long / not padded
- armrests that are not
adjustable
- chair will not adjust high
or low enough
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May 25, 2011
Monitor set-up / location
- too far away / too close
- too high / too low
- not set-up so that it is directly in front of user
Work surfaces that are
too high / too low
- for paper-based tasks
such as reading, writing,
editing, etc.
- for keyboarding
- for legs (too low)
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May 25, 2011
Inadequate knee space, room for legs / feet
- due to file drawers
- due to legs and other workstation structures
- due to shoes, boxes, etc.
Reading from / referring to
documents while keying
- documents placed to one
side / at an angle
- documents flat on the work
surface
Writing on documents
while working at computer
- documents off to one side
- far reach over keyboard
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May 25, 2011
Telephone use with the
computer or when working
with documents
- holding the telephone
handset between shoulder
and ear
- reaching for phone to dial /
answer
Contact stress with hard or sharp surfaces
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May 25, 2011
Glare on screen
- direct from windows or
lights
- indirect due to bright
visual background such
as windows or bright
lights behind the
monitor
Using a laptop in an
office
- Keyboard too high
- Monitor too low
- Text / screen too small
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May 25, 2011
Sitting for too long
- even good sitting postures,
if held for too long, can lead
to pain and discomfort
- even with the best chair,
prolonged sitting can lead to
discomfort
Recognizing Hazards
Image 1: what do you see?
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May 25, 2011
Recognizing Hazards
Recognizing Hazards
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May 25, 2011
Simple Solutions for
Design-Related Hazards in
Computerized Offices
Simple Solutions - Seating
• Find a chair that fits the user
• One style / model of chair will
NOT fit all potential users
– small and extra large folks can
be very hard to fit
• Users should have the
opportunity to try chairs
before purchase
– Five days minimum
recommended
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May 25, 2011
• Adjustable features that all chairs should
have:
– Seat Height
– Seat Pan Depth
 Critical adjustment
– Seat Lock/Rocking
– Seat Tension
– Back Rest Height
– Back Rest Angle
– Back Rest Lock/Rocking
– Lumbar Support Height
– Lumbar Support Amount
– Arm Rest Height / Width
 Critical adjustment
– If Headrest, Adjustable for Height and Angle
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May 25, 2011
• Ensure seat pan depth is not
too long
– ~2” free space before back of
knee
– Sometimes very hard to find a
chair with a short enough seat
pan
• Set seat pan at correct height
– Feet firmly on the floor
– Back up against lumbar support
– Knees slightly lower than hips
• Lumbar support is set to
provide firm support the small
of back
• Armrests at correct height /
width
– If can’t be set to correct height /
width consider removing them
• Back rest angle set for a
slightly reclined sitting posture
• The user knows how to use all
of the chair’s adjustable
features
– And why they should be used!
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May 25, 2011
Key Point To Remember
• Many people think a
good chair will solve
all their problems!
• The best chair in the
world is not going to
compensate for a bad
workstation design
Simple Solutions – Keyboard / Mouse
• Keyboard and mouse on same surface, at correct height
- shoulders relaxed
- elbows at approx. right angles, wrists straight
• Can be on desk surface or with keyboard / mouse tray
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May 25, 2011
• Keyboard / mouse tray
designed to fit the
workstation
– wide enough for both
the keyboard & mouse
– adjusted so top of
keyboard is at seated
elbow height
– keyboard and tray
should be flat
– support should be
designed to ‘fit’ the
workstation
• A couple of points about keyboard / mouse trays
– Well-designed trays can be very beneficial
– With most workstations they do tend to push you
back away from your other work surfaces
 Reaching for phone, etc.
 Reaching over to read / write on documents
• Palm / wrist rests – good or bad?
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May 25, 2011
• When the mouse is too
far away from the side of
the body
– Change mouse to left side
– Use keyboard without
number pad or number
pad on the left side
Simple Solutions –Alternative Mouse
• Some people can really
benefit from alternative
mice / input devices
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May 25, 2011
Simple Solutions – Monitors
• Always buy monitors with
height adjustable stands
• Set the top of monitor at
eye level
– ~15 degrees downward
gaze angle to centre of
screen
– Unless user wearing
bifocals (then lower)
• Monitor set as far away
as practical
– User can easily see / read
information / text on
screen
Simple Solutions – Monitors
• Move monitors so
they are aligned with
the letter ‘H’ on the
keyboard
– for users who type
– may need to adjust the
location of the
keyboard / mouse
 adjustable mechanism
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May 25, 2011
Simple Solutions – Documents
• Use in-line document holders
– Documents in-line with monitor and
keyboard
– Holder between monitor and
keyboard
– Documents angled up towards the
user’s face
• Use an in-line document holder
that is stable / strong enough to
allow for writing
– Consider one where the surface can
be pull out over the keyboard
Simple Solutions – Documents
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May 25, 2011
Simple Solutions – Workstations
• Work surfaces too high /
high
– Adjustable height keyboard /
mouse supports
– Raise / lower work surface
heights
 1 – 2” above seated elbow
height
 Feet firmly supported on floor
 Sitting back in chair
– Raise seat pan height / use a
foot rest only as a last resort!
• Buy / use easily adjustable
workstations
– For seated work
– Sit / Stand
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May 25, 2011
?
?
?
• Provide good work surface
area for all job tasks
• Ensure adequate knee
room
– 30” min free space
• Ensure adequate leg / foot
space
• Provide a separate work
space for computer- and
paper-based tasks
• Provide adequate, easily
accessible storage
Instructions
· Choose the workstation configuration that most closely
applies.
· Where appropriate, indicate chair position relative to
the workstation.
· Indicate relavent dimensions.
· Is there a keyboard support in place? (yes / no)
· Does it adjust in height? (yes / no)
· Is the mouse on a separate worksurface? (yes / no)
· Is the mouse higher or lower than the keyboard?
(higher / lower / same)
· Is the monitor 90° to an outside light source? (yes / no)
· Is there indirect glare on the monitor from an overhead
light source? (yes / no)
About Footrests
• Footrests are a MUST
if your feet don’t rest
firmly on the floor!
• BUT … everyone can
benefit from using a
good foot rest
– Vary the posture of your
feet & legs
– Push you back into your
chair!
33
May 25, 2011
Simple Solutions – Glare
• Position monitor
perpendicular to windows
and between overhead light
fixtures
• Use blinds
• Use indirect lighting or welldesigned louvers
– Parabolic / egg crate
• Use matte surfaces
• Consider task lighting for
documents
Simple Solutions – Laptop Use
• Use a docking station
for the laptop
– Separate, adjustable
height monitor
– External keyboard and
mouse
• Limit use to < 2 hr if
external devices not
provided
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May 25, 2011
Simple Solutions – Telephones
• Provide a headset
– Wireless headsets are
preferred
– Consider accessory that
allows for automatic lifting of
phone handset
• Where practical consider
using a speaker phone
• Move phone close to front
edge of work surface
– Even when using a headset
Simple Solutions – Contact Stress
• Ensure work surfaces
are at the correct height
• Ensure keyboard /
mouse are at the correct
height
• Consider a palm rest
– Use when resting not
when keying / mousing
– Make sure there isn’t
pressure on the wrist
35
May 25, 2011
Simple Solutions – Sitting
• Stand up
– 5 minutes each hour
• Move about
– When possible stand up and
walk about
– Use wireless headsets
– Don’t provide local printers
– Take breaks / meals away
from desk
• Use sit / stand workstations
Simple Solutions – Sitting
• Interject keying tasks with
other work tasks to add variety
and a break
• Use natural pauses in work to
relax muscles (e.g. stand
occasionally when on
telephone, remove hands from
keyboard when waiting for
computer)
• Vary your posture by
rearranging adjustments of
furniture (e.g. recline and work
for 10 minutes every hour)
36
May 25, 2011
Thank you for coming!
Any questions?
HumanScale – 500 Big Board
37
May 25, 2011
HumanScale – 400 Diagonal Board
HumanScale – 800 Radius
Ergonomic Accessories
Ergonomic Accessories
38
May 25, 2011
Banana Board
Reversible Corner Platform
Workrite
39

Office Ergonomic Analysis and Workplace Design

Transcription

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