Ergonomics

What Is Ergonomics
* Ergonomics is the science of fitting
the job to the worker. When there
is a mismatch between the
physical requirements of the job
and the physical capacity of the
worker, work-related
musculoskeletal disorders
(WMSDs) can result.
 Unsafe Situations
• Repetitive tasks
• Improper posture
• Improper lifting
• Poor tool design
• Poor lighting and glare
• Noise
• Temperature extremes.
 Twelve Principles Of
Ergonomics
• 1- Keep everyting in easy reach
• 2- Work at proper heights
• 3- Reduce excessive force
• 4- Work in good postures
• 5- Reduce excessive repetition
• 6- Minimize fatigue
 Continued
• 7- Minimize direct pressure
• 8- Provide adjustability and change posture
• 9- Provide clearance and access
• 10- Maintain a comfortable environment
• 11- Enhance clarity and understanding
• 12- Improve work organization
1- Keep Everything in Easy
Reach
• Keep products, parts,
and tools that are
frequently needed
within easy reach.
• Long reaches often
cause you to twist,
bend, and strain which
in turn makes work
more difficult.
Easy Reach
Work At Proper Heights
• A common workplace
problem is a mismatch
in heights between
employees and the
work that they are
doing.
• This leads to a poor
postures and
unnecessary work.
Proper Heights
3- Reduce Excessive Forces
• Excessive forces load
the muscles, creating a
potential for fatigue
and injury.
• Power grips are less
stressful than pinch
grip.
• Use tool grips that are
neither too wide nor
too small.
Reduce Excessive Forces
Reduce Excessive Forces
4- Work In Good Posture
• Use tools, equipment,
and workstation
layouts that allow you
to work in the best
possible posture.
• Good posture reduces
the stress on your
body and makes it
easier for doing the
job.
Work In Good Posture
5- Reduce Excessive Repetition
• Minimizing the
number of
motions required
to do a task
reduce the wear
and tear on your
body.
• Allow machines
to do repetition
for you.
Reduce Excessive Repetition
6- Minimize Fatigue
• Overloading your
physical and mental
capabilities can
contribute to injuries,
accidents, poor quality
• Good design of your
jobs can help prevent
undesirable fatigue.
7- Minimize Direct Pressure
• Direct pressure is
uncomfortable.
• It can inhibit nerve
function and blood
flow.
• It commonly affects :
• Palm of the hands
• Forearms
• Thighs
Minimize Direct Pressure
8- Provide Adjustability and
Change of Posture
• Adjustability makes it
easier to customize
your workstation to fit
your needs.
• Maintain better
heights and reaches
and to avoid pressure
points and awkward
postures.
Continued
9- Provide Clearance and Access
• It is important that you
have both adequate
workspace and easy
access to everything
you need.
• Clearance is needed
for your: Head, Arms,
Feet, Knees, Torso.
Clearance and Access
10- Maintain a Comfortable
Environment
• Seek to create
surrounding
conditions that
enhance your ability to
get the job done.
• Appropriate Lighting
• Avoid Temperature
Extremes
• Isolate Vibration
Comfortable Environment
11- Enhance Clarity and
Understanding
• Mistakes and errors
may result from poor
design of the displays
and controls you use.
• The configuration and
layout of these
displays and controls
can enhance or hinder
your performance.
12- Improve Work Organization
• Improvements can be
made in the system
which your work is
organized.
• Plan, Be involved,
Communicate, Enlarge
jobs, Be part of the
team, Be considerate.
Cumulative Trauma
• One of the important
goals of ergonomics is
to prevent a type of
disorder called
“cumulative Trauma”
• Wear and tear on the
tissue surrounding
your joints.
 Symptoms of CTD
• Limited range of motion
• Stillness in joints
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Popping and cracking in the joints
• Redness, swelling, and local skin warmth
• Weakness and clumsiness
• “Burning” sensations
 Risk Factors
• Repetition
• Force
• Awkward Postures
• Direct Pressure
• Vibration
• Temperature Extremes
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Good Posture
Work Station
Erg
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Seated – Work Range
When Getting Something From
the Ground