CHAPTER 4

WORKPLACE
ENVIRONMENT
AND
ERGONOMICS
 OBJECTIVES
By the end of this presentation you understand:

4.1 Describe the history of ergonomics

4.2 Understand workstation design principles

4.3 Understand ergonomics risk

4.4 Understand workplace environment

4.5 Appreciate the proper and safe methods of

ergonomics in the workplace
4.1 Ergonomics
 The history of ergonomics

Brief History
Ergonomics: Study of Work
Human Factors: Study of Decision-making
Human Factors/Ergonomics: Study of whole person, groups

Human Factors and Ergonomics is the study of the

interaction between humans and their environment

Human Factors and Ergonomics is the use of that

knowledge to design for improved safety, comfort, and
productivity

Human Factors and Ergonomics is the process of

designing interfaces that permit effective and efficient
interaction with the environment such as displays,
controls, tools and work areas
 MATHEMATICAL PHYSICAL BIOLOGICAL BEHAVIORAL & SOCIAL
SCIENCES SCIENCES SCIENCES SCIENCES

The Evolution of Human

Factors/Ergonomics as a HUMANFACTORS/ERGONOMICS

Science
APPLICATIONS
 Integrating Human
Factors/Ergonomics
with Systems and
Systems Safety
Ergonomics = Human Factors

A world
beyond
manual handling
Ergonomics = Human Factors

How humans interact

physically
and
psychologically within
the
work environment
 Definition of Ergonomics
OSHA defines ergonomics as:
the science of designing the job to fit
the worker,
instead of forcing the worker to fit the
job.

The relationship of people to their tools,

tasks,
and environment

Tools are designed to fit the employee

 contd.
The way we interact

with our environment

at work, play and rest.

Fitting the way

we work to the way

our body is built is the

key.
 Ergonomics is
Adapting the tasks to fit you.

Maximizing your health and comfort by

using your body in efficient ways.

Self-evaluation of the behaviors and

postures you use at work and play.

Learning to recognize the signs and

symptoms associated with an action
that may lead to musculoskeletal
disorders.
4.2 Workstation Design Principles
Neutral sitting work
position posture
A neutral seated
posture imitates the
neutral standing
posture.
The seated position
puts your hip and
knee joints at a 90o or
slightly greater angle.
When in use, your
elbow joints should
also be at a 90o or
slightly greater angle.
Wrist joints should
maintain as straight a
posture as possible.
Neutral standing work
position posture
Pretend you have
a string tied to
the top of your
skull. Suspend
your entire body
from that string.
Your back is
straight, your
joints loose, your
shoulders relaxed.
This is a neutral
standing posture.
 Fixing the Job
Use neutral postures to perform tasks.

Adjust the work station to remove the risk factor.

E.g., raise or lower the work surface, turn the piece, etc.

Rotate between jobs. E.g., break up long typing sessions

with some filing or copying, break up leaf blowing with
short raking sessions.

Use mechanical assistance. E.g., use a lift to move

heavy parts, use a two wheeled truck to move multiple
boxes or one heavy box.

Get help. E.g., use a buddy to help in heavy lifting tasks.

 cont.
Use personal protective equipment
E.g., anti-vibration gloves when using vibrating
hand or yard tools.

Observe micro-breaks
E.g., take a stretch break every hour you spend
in continuous typing, writing or telephone use.
 cont.
Share your ideas.
If you find something that works let your
supervisor, co-workers and EH&S know so
others may benefit.

Use the self-help tools available on

the web at http://www.ecu.edu/oehs
E.g Computer Workstation
 Comfortable
does NOT mean
Healthful
Neutral posture
should be the guide
for determining an
appropriate fix

Comfort can be
misleading
Crossed legs may
seem comfortable but
restrict blood flow
A slouch is
definitely not a
healthful posture
We often equate
habit with comfort
 4.3 Ergonomic Risk:
Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (MSD)
 Elements of the Office Environment

Workstation Design Health Outcomes

(Physical)
Ambient Environment
(Noise, Temperature)

Work Organization PERSON Job Satisfaction

(Job design)

Psychosocial Productivity/Quality
(Job control, etc)
Model of How the Office Environment
Leads To Musculoskeletal Outcomes

Physical Biomechanical Detection/ Labeling/

Demands Strain Sensatioin Attribution

Office Individual Musculoskeletal Outcomes

Technology Factors
Symptoms

Work Psychological
Organization Strain
Health Care Disability
Utilization

Source: Amick et al, 1999

as adapted from
Suater and Swanson, 1997
 Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (MSD)
Illness resulting from
cumulative trauma to the
muscles, nerves, tendons,
ligaments, joints, cartilage,
blood vessels or spine discs.

An injury caused by an acute

incident e.g., a fall or auto
accident, or symptoms of a
degenerative disease are
not considered a MSD and
must be treated differently.
 Symptoms of a MSD
Subjective indicators of potential concern
Painful Joints

Pain, tingling or numbness in hands or feet

Shooting or stabbing pains in arms or legs

Swelling or inflammation

Pain in wrists, shoulders, forearms, knees

Fingers or toes turning white

Back and neck pain

Stiffness or burning sensations

 MSD Signs
Objective indicators
identified by a
physician to help
diagnose specific
problems:

Decreased range of motion

Deformity
Decreased grip strength
Loss of muscle function
Inability to physically
perform normal tasks
 Risk Factors associated with MSD

Repetition
Forceful Exertions
Awkward Posture
Contact Stress
Vibration
 Repetition
Doing the same motions over
and over again places stress on
the muscles and tendons.
The severity of risk depends on
how often the action is repeated,
the speed of the movement,
the number of muscles involved
and the required force.

E.g., steady computer use for

4 hrs/day; a repeated cycle of
motions 2 or more times per minute.
 Force
The amount of physical effort
required to perform a task or
maintain control of equipment or
tools.

Force depends upon type of grip,

weight of the object, body posture,
type of activity, and duration of
task.

E.g., Lifting 75 lbs one time or 55lbs

more than 10 times per shift or 25
lbs below the knees or above
shoulder height. Pinching 2 lbs or
for 2 or more total hours per shift.
 Awkward Posture
Repeated or prolonged reaching,
twisting, bending, kneeling,
squatting, working overhead with
your hands or arms, or holding
fixed positions.

E.g., Working with hands over

head, kneeling or squatting for 2
hours/day; working with back,
neck or wrist bent for 2 hours/day.

Potential fixes: portable stools,

turn or move the work, use
frequent mini-breaks, integrate
the work with other tasks to avoid
prolonged use of the awkward
posture.
 Contact Stress
Pressing the body (or body
part) against a hard or sharp
edge can result in placing too
much pressure on nerves,
tendons and blood vessels.

For example, using the palm

of your hand as a hammer
regularly or typing while
resting your arms or wrists
on the hard desk edge.
 Vibration
Operating vibrating tools
such as sanders, grinders,
chippers, routers, drills,
saws and yard equipment
on a regular basis can
lead to nerve damage.

Potential fixes: vibration

dampening gloves, job
rotation, modified
clutching mechanisms.
4.4 Workplace Environment
 Safe work environment
Airflow
Is there enough airflow around the
computer to keep it cool?

Light
Is there glare on the screen either
permanently due to overhead
lighting, or temporarily as the sun
moves?

Cables
Are they housed so no-one can trip
on or damage them

Noise
Is the level safe, annoying or
distracting?
 Hazards of Environment
Some of the most common
environmental hazards are:

Indoor air quality

Lightning and sightedness

Temperature and humidity conditions

Noise and hearing quality

 Indoor air quality
The following factor that related
to the quality of indoor air:
Heating, air conditioning, and
ventilation systems
air filtration
Temperature and humidity
Volatile and/or toxic organic
compounds and gases in the air
Mineral and/or organic fibers and
particles in the air
Molds, bacteria and other biological
matter in the air.
 Lighting and sightedness
Potential Overhead lights
Problems:
Visual fatigue
Task Lamp
Accommodation/Oc
ularmotor fatigue: Walls
blurring, shadow
images
Headache Windows
Monitor
Eye
soreness/dryness
 Probable causes
Environment: lighting, glare,
low humidity
Screen design: flicker rate,
contrast, brightness, character
or image size
Task requirement: duration on
task, task complexity, task
frequency, etc.
Personal: lack of proper vision
correction
 The best way for
lighting and sightedness
Overhead lights
Diffuse (indirect) low glare lenses or louvers
lighting is
appropriate for most
VDT work
Minimize differences Task Lamp
in illumination Walls

Create a uniform
visual field, reduce
glare
Windows
Monitor
Line of sight
 Temperature and humidity
conditions
Temperature Humidity
High/low High/low

Pressure Vibration & noise

High/low

Airborne salts, dust, sand, Sunlight, lightning, radiation

dirt, etc.

Meteorological and micro-meteorological conditions: wind,

hail, heavy rain

40
 High temperature conditions
Environmental effect Hazard to worker/workplace
Summer heat Melting of metals and sealants
Heat from engines Fires and conditions which permit
Heat from chemical processes vaporisation
and reactions Skin burns
Body heat Heat exhaustion, heat prostration
Welding Loss of ability of persons to function
Friction Rapid evaporation of liquids
Reduced reliability of electronic
equipment
Loss of lubricant effects
Increased gas pressure

E. R. Vaidogas, OSH in Construction 41

 Low temperature conditions
Environmental effect
Winter cold
High altitudes
Refrigerated surfaces
Cryogenic lines and equipment
Hazard to worker/workplace
Cold burns
Frostbite, chilblains
Plastics and metals become brittle
Lubricants congeal
Freezing of liquids
Failure of engines and thermal
processes
42
 High humidity conditions
Environmental effect
Rain, clouds, fog, dew, snow
Tides and floods
Lakes, rivers, and other natural water
sources
Vegetation and animal respiration
Temperature decrease without removal
of moisture
Condensation on cold surfaces
Flooding and immersion in water
Naturally high atmospheric humidity
Personnel perspiring in inadequately
ventilated enclosure, equipment, or
impermeable covering
Presence of humidifying equipment
Hazard to worker/workplace
Loss of visibility due to fog, clouds, or
condensation
Possibility or acceleration of corrosion
Short circuits, inadvertent activations, or
disruptions of electrical systems by
moisture condensation in electrical
devices
Surface friction for traction reduced by
wet surfaces
Flooding of facilities, shops, vehicles,
and equipment
Drowning of personnel
Swelling of water absorbent materials
Warping and sticking of wood doors,
drawers, and similar items
43
 Low relative humidity
Environmental effect
Hot weather with the little
moisture
Heat in a closed room in winter
Moisture removed by air-
conditioning
Hazard to worker/workplace
Drying out and cracking of organic
materials
Generating dusty conditions
Increased tendency for creation of
static electricity
Easier ignition of accidental fires
Increase in airborne salts, sand, dirt,
and fungi
44
Heat stress card

E. R. Vaidogas, OSH in 45
Construction
Noise and hearing quality
4.5 Proper & safe methods of
ergonomics in the workplace
 GROUP
ASSIGNMENT 3

56
 QUESTION
Appreciate and practice the proper and save methods of ergonomics in the
workplace including:

GROUP 1 & 2
Working position

GROUP 3 & 4
Workplace design

GROUP 5 & 6
Standing bench

GROUP 7 & 8 & 9

Computer arrangement

You are required to do by:

Group (3-4 persons)
Writing in Essay format (minimum 3 pages, arial 12,double spacing,justify)
Preparing powerpoint you will present this in next class
Providing pictures/sound recording or videos etc.
QUESTION