Ergonomics- Manual Handlings, Standing, Seating,

VDUs etc.
 Introduction
Ergonomics
• “The scientific discipline concerned with understanding of
interactions among humans and other elements of a system,
and the profession that applies theory, principles, methods
and data to design in order to optimize human well-being and
overall system performance”

• Ergonomics means “fitting the job to the worker,” including:

– Work stations
– Tools
– Equipment

Ergo = Work
Nomos = Law
 Introduction
Why is ergonomics important?
• Overexertion leading cause of injuries
– Most costly
– Recurring/Persistent pain may develop in future
• Bodily reaction is another leading cause of injuries in workplace
• Repetitive motion also within top 10 most common workplace
injuries
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
• Affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons
• Symptoms
− Discomfort − Burning
− Pain − Swelling
− Numbness − Tingling
− Loss of motion/flexibility − Inflammation
− Spasticity − Throbbing
− Stiff joints − Paralysis
Relevant Act, Industry Code, Regulation and Guideline

i. Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for Seating at Work,

2003
ii. Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for Working with
Video Display Unit (VDU's), 2003
iii. Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for Standing at
Work, 2002

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 Manual Handling of Materials
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most
common work-related health problem in Europe,
affecting millions of workers - at some point in their life
as many as 90 percent of people will suffer from back
pain, upper limb disorders, and repetitive strain injuries.

'Lighten the load' supports an integrated management

approach to tackling MSDs, and the need to address the
'whole load on the body', which covers all the stresses
and strains, environmental factors such as cold working
conditions, the pace at which the work is being carried
out, and the load being moved.
The film shows Napo confronting different work
situations and is suitable for all workers, including
migrant and temporary workers. There are eleven
scenes showing typical situations faced in the
workplace.
Napo in lighten the load
[Link]

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 Manual Handling of Materials

 Manual handling is a common activity in most workplaces

 It includes lifting, lowering, pulling, pushing, carrying,

moving, holding or restraining an object

 Injuries and musculoskeletal disorders affect the back, neck,

shoulder, arms & hands

 It can be prevented through a systemic approach of

identification, assessment and control of risks associated with
manual handling.

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Occupational Diseases in Malaysia

Source: DOSH, 2014

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 Risk management on manual handling

 Required to manage risks under WSH (Risk

Management) regulations

 Assess the risk

 Take all reasonably practical steps

 Eliminate any risks

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 Hazards Associated with Manual Handling - Heavy

 Lifting over 25kg load can result in back injury

Picture source: [Link]

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 Hazards Associated with Manual Handling - sharp

 Potential Cuts on the fingers

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Hazards Associated with Manual Handling - Odd shapes

 Absence of grip to hold the load

 Obstruction of walking view

Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: [Link]

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 Common Injuries From Manual Handling

 Neck Strain

Picture source: [Link]

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 Common Injuries From Manual Handling

 Wrist Sprains  Back Sprains

Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: [Link]

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 Common Injuries From Manual Handling

 Shoulder pain  Upper back pain

Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: [Link]

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 Common Injuries From Manual Handling

 Slips, trips and fall

Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: [Link]

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 Common Injuries From Manual Handling

 Cuts

Picture source : [Link]

Picture source: [Link]

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 Proper Manual Handling - Individual

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT WHILE LIFTING

Step 1: Hold the Step 2: Keep the Step 3: Lift the Step 4: Ensure your
load firmly load close to you load by pushing legs are stable
up your leg before moving off

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 Proper Manual Handling - Individual

 Lifting aids

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 Proper Manual Handling - Individual

 Lifting aids

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 Proper Manual Handling - team

 Team/buddy lifting

Picture source: [Link]

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 Selection of PPE for Manual Handling

 Are there any sharp or point edges?

 Is it enough to prevent injuries or occupational diseases?

 Does the PPE fit you correctly?

 Does the PPE wear out easily?

 Is it easy to clean and maintain?

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 Selection of PPE for Manual Handling

 Safety boots

 Protective gloves

 Helmets

 Working apron or overalls

 Goggles or safety glasses

 Face mask or respirators

Picture source: [Link]

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 Selection of PPE for Manual Handling

 Protective gloves  Safety boots

Picture source: [Link] Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: [Link] Picture source: [Link]

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 Selection of PPE for Manual Handling

 Helmets

Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: [Link]

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 Selection of PPE for Manual Handling

 Working apron or safety overalls

Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: [Link]
Picture source: [Link]

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 Selection of PPE for Manual Handling

 Goggles or safety glasses

Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: [Link]
Picture source: [Link]

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 Selection of PPE for Manual Handling

 Face mask or respirator

Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: [Link]
Picture source: [Link]

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 Job Designs to Prevent Manual Handling Injuries

 Team handling for heavy or odd shape loads

 Breaks to reduce muscular fatigue

 Handlers job rotation between heavy and light activities

 Rearrange workplace to reduce twisting, stretching &

stooping

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 Job Designs to Prevent Manual Handling Injuries

 Keep heavy loads around waist level

 Use of mechanical handling aid

 Package heavy materials into smaller container

Picture source: [Link]

Picture source: CP 92 : 2002

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 Job Designs to Prevent Manual Handling Injuries

 Provide handles, hand grips or indents for loads

 Loads to be free from dust, oil, corrosive deposits, sharp

corners, jagged edges or rough surfaces

Picture source : [Link]

Picture source : [Link]

Indents & Handles

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 Job Designs to Prevent Manual Handling Injuries

 Provide secondary containment for chemicals

Picture source : [Link]

Picture source : [Link]

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 Case Study

The Case of Peter

Peter injured his back while moving some large drums. He has previously
suffered from back problems but felt that it was under control. His doctor had
advised him not to lift anything above 20 kg but he had not passed this
information to his boss.

The injury was serious enough to land Peter in the hospital. Subsequently Peter
was diagnosed with a torn disk. Peter admitted the drums were heavy, but
wanted to have the job done.

What should Peter have done?

Picture source : [Link]

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 Summary of Key Points

Hazards from manual handling

Common injuries and occupational diseases

Proper manual handling methods

Use of PPE

Job designs to prevent manual handling injuries

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Musculoskeletal injuries and
Occupational diseases
is preventable

Be proactive: it is up to US to
prevent it

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Appendix 1

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Appendix 1

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Appendix 1

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38
GUIDELINES ON OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY AND HEALTH
FOR STANDING AT WORK

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Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health
for Standing at Work
• The purpose of these guidelines is to provide
guidance on risk identification and assessment
related to standing at work. It explains how a suitably
designed standing workstation contributes to the
safety and health of people at work. It gives advice on
proper management of standing work.
• Standing in an unnatural posture for a long time can
result in tiredness and discomfort. This may affect
employees’ general welfare which could have adverse
consequences for their safety and health.
• Employers who provide suitable standing
workstations are not only fulfilling their legal
responsibilities but also contributing to the efficiency
of their workforce.

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 Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health
for Standing at Work
• Examples of standing workstations are:
i. Assembly tasks such as medium or heavy work.
ii. Packing tasks such as grocery, warehouse work.
iii. Molding tasks such as feeding or receiving materials.
iv. Photocopy work.
v. Kitchen tasks such as washing utensils, meal preparation and
vi. cooking.

• Examples of work that are not considered as standing workstations

are:
i. Construction work such as wall painting, brick laying, erecting
scaffolds.
ii. Policeman controlling traffic at a road junction.
iii. Oil rig work.
iv. Baggage handlers at the airports.

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 Standing Workstation Design Principles
• The best design of any workstation – iii. Arrange for task variation
must demonstrate minimal physical • Job or employee rotation –
stresses to the employees that may – Introduce variability of the task/job
lead to localized fatigue, pain and so that localized fatigue on
discomforts
– certain parts of body is reduced.
• Several design principles can be Monotonous work may induce
adopted such as: fatigue to specific parts of the
• Re-design task to allow employee to sit body.
or to stand whenever necessary for • v. Introduce frequent short breaks to
him or her to do so. recover from fatigue during the work
– Avoid static posture. cycle.
– Provide a chair for sitting on or • vi. Provide proper and sufficient
standing against. lighting. Postures may be affected if
• Provide workstation accessories : sufficient light intensity is not available
– A cushioned surface to stand on for close-up work.
(anti-fatigue floor mat). • It is recommended that a person who
– Better soles for shoes. has adequate knowledge on ergonomic
– Adjustable working surface principles should do or oversee
standing workstation design. 42
– Small foot bench.
 Simple Checklist for Standing Work

Are shoes provided with

Is the arrangement of the job not within
improper soles to support the
easy reach?
body weight?

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 Simple Checklist for Standing Work

Does the employee have to maintain an Is the duration of standing

awkward posture of the upper body, for position at work exceeding 10
example back, elbows? minutes without possible leg
movement or rest?

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 Simple Checklist for Standing Work

Is the workbench fixed (not adjustable)?

Workbench too high Workbench too low

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Workspace Envelope: The Ideal Measurements of a
Workspace Envelope

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48
 Denk an mich. Dein Rücken
(Napo in... ‘Mind your back’)
[Link]
Back strain can strike in many
different situations, be it at work or at
home. This is no secret to Napo, the
animated hero of a new short film for
the ‘Mind your back’ campaign. Napo
highlights the many hazards that can
lead to back pain and provides tips
on how to avoid them.
Video produced by Via Storia for
DGUV in 2013

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[Link]
Scene 03Positive position from the
film Napo in …. back to a healthy future

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 Radical ergonomic
[Link]

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Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for
Seating at Work, 2003

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Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for
Seating at Work, 2003
• These guidelines provide advice on the design and selection
of seating and some examples of seating arrangements for
different kinds of work.
• Explain how suitable seating contributes to the safety and
health of people at work, for example by helping to prevent
back pain - one of the commonest causes of time off work.
• Sitting in an unsuitable chair can result in tiredness and
discomfort. This affects employees general welfare, and
also have adverse consequences for safety and health.
Employers who provide suitable seating are not only
fulfilling their legal responsibilities but are contributing to
the efficiency of their workforce.
• These guidelines deal mainly with seating for people at
work. Other seating should be suitable for its purpose.
Seating in rest areas should be comfortable and have restful
characteristics. In changing areas, on the other hand, a
bench might be sufficient.

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Seating Workstation

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 Seating Workstation: General Principles

• In a well designed workstation, a worker should be take up an uncomfortable position in order to see
at a comfortable height and position in relation to properly.
the work. • A seated worker will normally prefer to work with
• All equipment in frequent use, and the work itself, both hands at roughly elbow level or lower as raising
should be kept within easy reach (see figure 1). of the forearms above the horizontal for any length
• It is important to eliminate the need for workers to of time is tiring.
make repeated twisting or stretching movements, as • Lifting load while seated can cause strain on the
these are a common cause of injury. back, and lifting should be kept close to the body.
• Lighting should be adequate for the task and
correctly positioned, so that workers do not strain or

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Seating Workstation: General Principles

• Sitting in one position, for • efficiently;

long periods can lead to • * allow a worker to change
discomfort and inefficiency, position easily and without
and ultimately may cause losing support;
long-term ill-effect. • * not press uncomfortably
• Many people who work on the buttocks or thighs;
sitting down can avoid • * cater for any special
discomfort by changing needs of, for example, very
position, or by standing up tall or short workers, or
and moving around. those who are disabled. In
• Others jobs may be less some cases, special seating
flexible unless opportunities may be required; and
for movement are • * suit the workstation,
deliberately build in, for including the height of the
example by giving workers a work surface and the
greater variety of tasks or layout of furniture and
arranging the workstation equipment.
so that workers can be
either sit or stand. (see
figure 2)
• There are a number of basic
requirements which all
seating provided at work
should meet. Seating
should:
• * support a worker in a
position in which worker
can work comfortably and

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Seating Workstation: General Principles

• When choosing seating for work, employers will find it

helpful to remember the following points:
• Ä Chairs should be comfortable to sit in for substantial
periods, and should normally be adjustable.
• Ä The seat and backrest should be firmly padded and
the front edge of the seat in particular should be well
padded. The covers should be comfortable to the touch.
• Ä The armrests, if any, should not stop the chair being
drawn up close to the worktop or restrict arm
movements.
• Ä The distance between the seat and working height
(desktop, workbench, keyboard etc) should be between
210 mm and 300 mm. The underside of work top should
clear the seat by at least 170 mm, preferably more. This
is illustrated in figure 5.
• Ä The backrest should be of a size and shape which
support the lower and middle back properly. It should be
set neither too far back nor to far forward, and it should
not be so large as to restrict movements of arms and
shoulders.

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Seating Workstation: General Principles

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Example Of Seating And Workstation Layout
1.0 Work with machinery
• When workers operate or monitor machinery, the workstation
should be arranged such that they can sit, or if necessary stand,
and carry out their tasks in a comfortable position. Strained
positions, for example craning the neck or leaning to one side, and
repeated twisting or stretching movements, are uncomfortable
and will eventually lead to Injury
• In some situations, it may not be practical to use a standard chair.
Nevertheless some form of seating should be provided wherever
possible, with the seat at the correct height for the task. Several
possibilities include:
• Lean-on or sit-stand seats. These can be helpful when working
with machinery, or at an assembly line or high bench, where a
conventional chair is not practicable – for example because of
inadequate knee-room. The worker leans on a forwards-sloping
seat, which adjusts in height to suit the individual, taking some of
the weight off the feet. See figure 7(a).
• Wheeled, sliding or suspended seat. These are sometimes used
when workers need to move frequently from one machine or to
another at diferent locations. see figure 7(b).
• Fixed seats. These may be used where space does not permit a
normal chair. They may be of the swing-out or flap-down type
which tuck away when out of use. If the seat is fixed to a machine,
it should not vibrate as this can cause discomfort. see figure 7(c).

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Example Of Seating And Workstation Layout

• 7.3 Precision work

• Instrument engineers, laboratory
technicians and draughts men are
examples of workers who tend to
lean forward and adopt a tense
posture.
• This can give rise to pain in the
back, shoulder or neck.
• A worker will need a comfortable
chair with an adjustable,
supportive backrest. It may also be
helpful to have a chair with a
forward-tilting seat and backrest,
and/or a work surface which slopes
towards the worker. see figure 8.

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Example Of Seating And Workstation Layout
Keyboard work
• Table for typing work are normally slightly lower than
normal writing desks to allow for the extra height of
the typewriter. Higher tables can be placed at right
angles for filing trays and non-typing tasks. However,
modern word processors often have a very low
keyboard which can be used on a normal height desk.
• For typists, a fairly high backrest can reduce discomfort
by allowing the back and shoulders to relax during
pauses, but it should not be so wide that it restricts
arm movements. Workers who type or key information
from a document lying flat on the work surface is likely
to suffer from neck pain result of stooped posture. see
figure 9 and 10.
• Work with visual display units (VDUs) call for careful
planning. A common problem is the difficulty of finding
a suitable seat height, either because desk thickness
does not give enough clearance for the thigh or the
seat is not adjustable.

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Example Of Seating And Workstation Layout

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Example Of Seating And Workstation Layout

• Check-outs counter
• Check-outs counter in shops call for careful planning
because of the various task which have to be carried out
in normally very limited space area.
• The working area should design with frequent tasks kept
within easy reach (about 400mm of the worker), and
allow a worker to sit close to the task without anything
pressing on his or her legs.
• Chairs should preferably be chosen in consultation with
the workers themselves. It should be possible for workers
to reach everything without strain and without having to
perch on the edge of the seat.
• Chairs should not be fixed to the floor, as each worker will
have his or her preferred position. If space is limited, a
fairly compact design can be chosen, but not to sacrifice
comfort.
• Controls to adjust the seat and backrest should be easily
accessible without moving the chair and should be easy to
operate from a sitting position

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 Example Of Seating And Workstation Layout

• Microscope Workstation
• Looking through a microscope for extended periods is not what • When set-up for microscope workstation, the following points
we were designed for. It requires holding our bodies in an should be in mind;
unnaturally rigid position. It is important to adopt a correct, – Oculars level with eyes, raise bench or microscope to suit with
ergonomic working posture. This means fitting the workstation the operator
to the worker, not vice versa. It is also important to take regular – Oculars over front edge of bench, move microscope to suit
breaks. with the operator
• Ideally, the microscope should be on a bench which is adjustable – Upright posture with major joints at near-right angles
for height and the seating position is adjusted followed by the – Ergonomic chair adjusted to support back and thighs
bench height. – Fore-arms supported, not under long periods of static load
• Examples for Microscope Workstation as Figure 12 and Figure 13 – Wrists straight, hands in .shake-hands. position
with improvement working posture. – Feet comfortably supported by floor or footrest.
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Example Of Seating And Workstation Layout

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66
 GUIDELINES ON OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY AND HEALTH
FOR WORKING WITH VIDEO DISPLY
UNITS (VDU’s)

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 Guidelines On Occupational Safety And Health
For Working With Video Display Units (VDU’s)
• POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS multiple user Users may also experience
• The most common symptoms associated varying level of discomfort in the hand,
with VDUs work or operations are visual wrist, forearm, neck and lower back.
problems and musculoskeletal injuries. • An acute strain can present as muscle
Visual factors include eyestrain and fatigue, aches, pain, weakness, tenderness
headaches, which affect visual performance. and /or swelling which subside with rest.
• Users with existing visual deficits may find • The more chronic conditions present with
them make more noticeable. more significant symptoms as well as
• These symptoms may be caused by: impaired function, affecting activities of
– a. Staying in the same position and daily living, such disorders among keyboard
concentrating on screen of VDU for a long workers have often be associated with high
time; workloads combined with tight deadlines.
– b. Poor position of VDUs; • Factors, which may contribute to the
– c. Poor legibility of the screen or sources disorder, include but not limited to:
documents; – a. Fixed or sustained postures at the
– d. Poor lighting, including glare and workstation;
reflection; and – b. Repetitive movements; and
– e. A drifting, flickering or jittering image on
the screen.
• Whether the workstation is single or
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 Guidelines On Occupational Safety And Health
For Working With Video Display Units (VDU’s)

• Brightness – means the attribute of visual sensation • Negative polarity – means light characters on a dark
according to which a surface appears to emit or background
reflect more or less light. • VDU user – means any worker who uses a VDU as
• Illumination – means the measure of the stream of significant part of his normal work.
light falling on a surface. The light may come from • Positive polarity – means dark characters on a light
sun, lamps in a room or any other bright surface. The background
unit of measurement is the lux (lx). Imperial unit for • Reflectance – means the comparison of the
illumination is foot-candle. luminance of various surfaces are compared they
• Luminance – means the measure of the brightness of also can be expressed as reflectance, which is the
a surface; the perception of brightness of a surface is ratio between incident and reflected light.
proportional to its luminance. Therefore, luminance Reflectance is usually expressed as the percentage of
is a measure of light coming from a surface. Since it is reflected to incident light.
a function of the light that is emitted or reflected
from a wall, furniture and other objects, it is greatly • Video Display Unit / Terminal – means any
alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of
affected by the reflected power of the surface. The the of the display process employed.
luminance of a lamp on the other hand is and exact
measure of the light they emit. • Workstation means an assembly comprising VDU,
• Musculoskeletal disorder – means a broad range of which may be provided with a keyboard or input
conditions of varying degree associated with the device and/or software determining the
upper extremities (hand and arm) such as worker/machine interface, optional accessories,
inflammation or trauma mostly of the tendon, peripherals including the diskette drive, telephone,
muscle-tendon junction or surrounding tissue; modem, printer, document holder, work chair and
inflammation of tissue of the hand; compression of work desk or work surface, and the immediate work
the peripheral nerves serving the upper limb; and environment surrounding the VDU.
include temporary fatigue, stiffness of the muscles • Work Surface means the part of workstation upon
comparable to that un accustomed exertion. which equipment is placed and tasks are performed

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 Basis for Selection of Workstation Furniture

Selection of the appropriate furniture should be made on the following basis

a. Tasks performed at the workstation e.g
i. Data processing
ii. Word processing
iii. Typing
iv. Typesetting
v. Counter operation, e.g banking; and
vi. Programming
b. Duration and intensity of the tasks.
c. Equipment to be located at the workstation
d. Environment in which workstation is located
e. Method of operation of equipment
f. Changing nature of function of workstation
gc. Increase muscle tension leading to excessive muscle fatigue.

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Useful Tips For VDU User

Getting Comfortable

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Useful Tips For VDU User

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Useful Tips For VDU User

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Useful Tips For VDU User

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Criticize the photo

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