Ergonomics
DR. KISHOR ADHIKARI
Professor
Chitwan Medical College
Ergonomics
• The word ergonomics is derived from the Greek
“ergon” meaning work and “nomos” meaning law.
• Ergonomics is the application of knowledge about
human abilities and limitations to the design of
tools, machines, systems ,tasks, and environments.
• Ergonomics is now a well recognized discipline and
constitutes an integral part of any advanced
occupational health service.
ERGONOMICS DEFINED
• Ergonomics is the science of
fitting the job to the worker.
Definition of ergonomics
• “Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with the
design of workplaces, tools, and tasks that match the
physiological, anatomical, and psychological characteristics
and capabilities of the worker.” Vern Putz-Anderson
• “The Goal of ergonomics is to ‘fit the job to the person,’
rather than making the person fit the job.” Ergotech
• “If it hurts when you are doing something, don’t do it.” Bill
Black
• Ergonomics is the application of knowledge about human abilities and
limitations to the design of tools, machines, systems, tasks and
environment.
Goals and Objectives of Ergonomics
• To achieve the best mutual adjustment of man
and his work.
• To achieve the greater efficiency of both man
and machine.
• To reduce individual accidents.
• To contribute to the overall health and
efficiency of work.
Principles of Ergonomics
• Workers should be able to adopt several different
postures that are safe and comfortable.
• When workers must exert muscular force, they should
be encouraged to use the largest possible muscle
groups.
• Whenever possible, workers should be able to
perform regular work activities with their joints in the
middle of the range of movements.
• Risk factors for work related musculo-skeletal
disorders should be identified.
ERGONOMIC FOCUS
The Task
The Tool
The User /Operator
The Work
Station and
Environment
RESULTING INJURIES ARE CALLED:
• Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD),
Or
• Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI),
Or
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)
HOW SERIOUS ARE
MSD
• MSD account for:
– 1/3 of all lost day injuries each year
– These injuries cost business $15-20 billion
in worker’s compensation each year
COMMON CAUSES:
• Repetitive and/or prolonged
activities
• Awkward postures/positions
for an extended time
• Static postures
• Vibration
• High/low Temperatures
for an extended time
• Forceful exertions
ERGONOMIC STRESS AREAS
• These are the
body parts most
affected.
• The muscles,
nerves, tendons,
ligaments,
cartilage, joints,
including spinal Hip
discs are affected
in these body
Knee
parts.
SIGNS OF MSD
• Decreased grip
rangestrength
of motion
• Loss of balance
function
• Deformity
Swelling
• Cramping
Redness
• Loss of color
SYMPTOMS OF MSD
• Muscle fatigue or pain
• Aching
• Burning
• lack of sensation
• Stiffness
• Tingling
WHAT CAN WE DO?
• Administrative controls
• Work practice controls
• Engineering controls
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
• Employee rotation/job task expansion
• Physical adjustments to the work pace
• Redesign of work methods
• Alternative tasks
• Breaks
WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS
• Safe & proper work techniques & procedures
• Training
Risks of ergonomics illness in different
occupations
A. Display screen equipments
• The mouse is placed too far away and requires
stretching to use.
• Chairs are not properly adjusted to fit the person ,
forcing awkward and uncomfortable postures.
• There is glare on the screen from overhead lights or
windows, increasing the risk of eyestrain.
• Hardware and /or software are not suitable for the task
or the person using it, causing frustration.
• Not enough breaks or changes of activity.
B. Manual handling
• The load is too heavy and/or bulky ,placing
unreasonable demands on the person.
• The load has to be lifted from the floor and /or above
the shoulders.
• The task involves frequent repetitive lifting.
• The task requires awkward postures, such as bending
or twisting.
• The load cannot be gripped properly.
• The task is performed on uneven ,wet, or sloping
floor surfaces.
• The task is performed under time pressures and
incorporates too few rest breaks.
C. work-related stress
• Work demands are too high or too low.
• The employee has little say in how they organize
their work.
• Poor support from management and/or colleagues.
• Conflicting demands , eg high productivity and
quality.
• Poor control of the risks causing work-realated
stress could lead to ill health and reduced
performance and productivity.
D. Managing the working day
• Insufficient recovery time between shifts.
• Poor scheduling of shifts.
• Juggling shifts with domestic responsibilities.
• Employees working excessive overtime.
Population at risk
• Building trade workers (construction)
• Food preparation workers
• Clerical workers (typist)
• Textile workers
• Manufacturing workers (plastics, bearing,fire or rubber
workers)
• Health care workers (consultant, orthopedic, nursing,
psychiatric, dental hygienist)
• Foundry workers (iron, metal casting, iron and steel
production workers)
• Lumber production workers (forestry)
• Grocery checkers (air craft ,engine workers)
Prevention and control of ergonomic illness
and injury
• Surveillance of safety and health records
• Job analysis: to determine workers exposure to
ergonomic hazards that cause work related
musculoskeletal illness.
• Jobs design: to reduce or eliminate ergonomis
hazards
• Training of employers and employees: In the
identification and control of ergonomic hazards.
• Medical management of injured workers.
•
Rules for prevention
• Rotation of workers
• Work training
• Education for risk reduction
• Change in work pattern, time, task
• Work practices
• Work policies
• Work shift length
Contd..
• Over time schedule
• Work angle have the worksite arrange in optics,
ergonomic configuration
• Improve body awareness and attention to posture.
• Vary and pace overall work,activities.
• Create a habit of making restrained adjustment and
readjustment at the work sites
• Use posture and muscle tone that minimizing strain
• Create habit of checking posture and how tense your
muscles are.
•Thank you
