Office Ergonomics (Work laws or Work principles)

Introduction

Ergonomics(ergo=work, nomics=laws) is the science of fitting job tasks, workstations, and equipment to individual workers. Ergonomics looks at all aspects of a job – from the design of tools, tasks, and equipment, to adequate lighting and how the overall workstation is set up. And, its principles can be applied everywhere – in the workplace, at home, and to recreational activities.

Good ergonomics (figure 1) have several things in common and they focus on:

·         Prevention of injuries

·         They are a component of a holistic approach to occupational safety and health, and

·         They can measure their value to the company through productivity gains, morale, and lower insurance costs.

A major benefit of good ergonomic design is:

·         Fewer musculoskeletal disorders

·         Lower incidence rates

·         Less absenteeism, and

·         Reduction in workers’ compensation premiums.

But, some of the intangible rewards you may not think about include:

·         Improved productivity

·         Less job turnover

·         Worker comfort, and

·         Greater job satisfaction.

Figure 1 office ergonomics (good posture)

Dangers of Desk Job

You don’t have to be an ergonomist to do an effective ergonomic assessment of your office workers. Although doing a job assessment for ergonomic risk factors in an office setting may not be quite the same as on the production floor, many of the same risks will show up in various job tasks throughout the workplace. Knowing what to look for will probably alert you to more risk factors than you anticipated finding. Almost everyone who works in an office setting spends a good portion of the day on the telephone or the computer, or both – jobs that make them prime targets for an assortment of ergonomic injuries. Awkward and static postures (figure 2), contact stress, and repetitive motions are prevalent among people who spend hours sitting at a desk or workstation, such as:

• The call center workers who spend eight hours talking on the telephone and

keyboarding at the same time.

• The computer programmer sitting for hours developing a new program.

• The administrative assistant reaching or stooping to file documents.

• Workers who spend majority of their day doing data entry.

And many other office jobs that result in wear and tear on the body over a long period of time.

Figure 2 office ergonomics (poor posture)

Awareness training

The trouble is, this wear and tear occurs so gradually that most people don’t realize what’s happening until they’re hurting. By then, the damage has been done. That’s why early reporting and intervention are essential. Awareness training that involves practicing good ergonomic techniques and recognizing the signs and symptoms of muscle stress before they become major problems is important. You may routinely include this type of training for workers on the production lines and on the shop floor, but never think of bringing it to those workers with sedentary jobs.

What are the ergonomic injuries around the office?

Musculoskeletal disorders can result in soreness, numbness and tingling; a limited range of motion; weakness; and tenderness and swelling. Common disorders that show up in people who work in office settings are generally classified as cumulative trauma disorders. These injuries are caused or aggravated by repetitive motions, sustained or awkward postures, and compression; and they result in aching, tenderness, and numbness. Cumulative disorders that are frequently diagnosed in office workers include:

• Tendonitis (inflammation), which occurs when a muscle or tendon is repeatedly tensed from overuse.

• Epicondylitis from overuse causes pain and tenderness in the elbow and forearm.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by overuse, compresses and entraps the median nerve in the wrist, causing pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand and fingers.

Knowing the common workstation problems

When you’re doing assessments for ergonomic risk factors in office jobs, there are some common workstation problems you need to be aware of which can be easily and, in most cases, inexpensively corrected. Encourage employees to practice ergonomically sound techniques when you find the following conditions:

Wrist planting (figure 3)

• When wrists are idle, they often rest on the sharp edge of the desk, causing pressure points between the wrist and the desk and damage to nerve and blood vessels. Float the wrists, don’t press them on the edge of the desk.

• Use a wrist rest or support brace to keep the wrists in a neutral position.

• Remove jewelry from the wrist that uses the mouse.

• Do exercises about once an hour by gently shaking the wrists, fanning the fingers, and stretching the wrists by slowly pulling the fingers back or pushing them against a wall or edge of the desk.

Figure 3 wrist planting

Mousing wrist, hand, and finger stress

• Use a variety of key strokes to relieve some mouse work.

• Take your hand off the mouse when it’s not being used. Let the hand relax.

• Use a mouse that vibrates when it’s not moved for some time as a reminder to remove the hand.

• Switch the mouse hand.

• Use different type or style of mouse.

• Maintain a neutral wrist with some space underneath and float the whole forearm along with the mouse. This allows the larger muscles to contribute to the task.

Lower back pain

• Maintain a supportive posture by placing both feet on the floor.

• Sit slightly over the desk.

• Sit with the back straight, buttock bones on the chair.

• Shift your position frequently.

• Get up and move around hourly.

Neck and shoulder pain

• Check the monitor placement. The top of the screen should be slightly below eye level(refer e-book on forward head posture). The middle of the screen should be about six inches below eye level.

• Use a hard copy document holder. Position it close to and at the same height and viewing distances the monitor screen.

• Use a headset(for call centre workers). Don’t hold the phone between the head and shoulder.

• Check the desktop/keyboard tray height. Arms should be in a neutral position and not reaching up or down.

• Sit close enough to the desktop and keyboard.

• Be sure the chair armrests not too high or the mouse and keyboard elevated. Shoulder elevation can cause pain.

Summary

In short proper office ergonomics is the best way to improve productivity and make a good business. Also this keeps the employer and the employee in a state of stress free mind. Enjoy working!

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