How to Achieve an Ergonomic Computer Workstation

58th Annual Governor’s Industrial

Safety & Health Conference

October 7-8, 2009

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Presenters

• Jeannette Murphy, OTR/L, CEA– Ergonomist, Injury Prevention Specialist– St. Luke’s Rehabilitation, Spokane WA

• Leslie Pickett, PT– Ergonomics and Injury Prevention Specialist– Swedish Medical Center, Seattle WA

• Lynn LaSalle, MOT– Ergonomist, Ergonomic Coordinator– MultiCare Health System (MHS), Tacoma WA

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Participants will…

• Understand the ANSI/HFES 100-2007 human factors standards for creating an ergonomic computer workstation.

• Understand some of the challenges and solutions for using computers in the hospital setting

• Understand some of the challenges and solutions facing mobile laptop users.

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ANSI/HFES 100-2007: Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstations

• Purpose – To specify acceptable applications of human factors

engineering principles and practices to the design and configuration of the human-hardware interfaces in computer workstations.

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ANSI/HFES 100-2007

• Application– For computer workstations used regularly in

office workplaces by users with normal perceptual and cognitive capabilities

– Moderate to intensive computer users– Not intended for beyond the office workplace

application – Generalizations to other applications exceed

the scope of this standard.

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ANSI/HFES 100-2007

• Scope– Applies to computer workstations for a wide range of

users– In general the physical dimensions and force

requirements are designed to accommodate at least 90 percent of the North American population

• User Diversity– Design is not intended to accommodate all users due

to the very nature of diversity

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ANSI/HFES 100-2007

• Guiding Principles– Enhance workstation usability by improving ease of

use and ease of learning– Facilitate user performance by encouraging task

proficiency and error recovery– Accommodate users of various physical sizes and

expertise levels– Maintain user performance by allowing postural

changes that minimize static loads– Promote user satisfaction by fostering product

acceptance and product usage

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ANSI/HFES 100-2007

• Limitations– Not intended for transient computer work situations (e.g., using a

laptop computer during airplane travel) or to workstations specially configured for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities

– Use of a portable device in an office setting, such as a laptop computer in a docking station, is not an example of transient computer work.

– This standard does not apply to operator health considerations or work practices

• Focus is to support operator performance through attention to the design aspects of the computer hardware and environment interfaces.

• No implications are made that conformance to this standard produces health-related outcomes.

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This standard recognized that VDT users frequently change their working postures to maintain comfort and productivity. Four reference postures are used in this standard to represent a range of postures observed at computer workstations.

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The Comfortable Work Space

Based on ANSI/HFES 100-2007 Standards Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstation

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Recommended Postures

Elbow reference

Shoulder abduction

Wrist flexion

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Recommended Postures

Shoulder flexion Torso to thigh reference

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Checklist for Workstation Assessment Name_____________________________________________________ Date__________________________ This checklist is intended to provide you with basic information so that you can check the current set up of your furniture and equipment. It may help to reduce your risk of repetitive strain injury from working at a computer. The first column describes the recommended posture, set up, or work practice. Place a check mark in the “yes” column if you have or do what is listed, and in the “no” column if you do not. If you check “no”, take the action listed in the last column.

Preferred Posture/Set Up/Work Practice Yes No If No, Action Required 1. CHAIR a. Elbows at 90o and forearms parallel to floor when using keyboard

Raise or lower chair Raise or lower workstation height Raise or lower keyboard height

b. Thighs parallel to floor Add/subtract footrest c. Feet flat on floor and ankles at 90o Add/subtract footrest

Limit shoe heel height d. Adequate back support Adjust chair back

Obtain proper chair Obtain lumbar roll

e. Shoulders relaxed and level Adjust or eliminate armrests f. Two inch space between back of knee and front edge of seat pan

Use foot rest Obtain chair with shorter or adjustable seat pan

2. DESK a. Seated elbow height equals desk height Raise/lower chair

Raise/lower desk height b. Adequate space:

- items used most often should be within an arm length or envelope of reach

- items used less frequently can be placed outside of the envelope of reach

Organize desk surface Remove clutter on and under desk Arrange other furniture and equipment (e.g., cabinets,

printers) to minimize body twisting Arrange or eliminate furniture and equipment to create

adequate space c. Minimal reaching above shoulder Stand to reach overhead items

Place frequently used items on desk within easy reach d. Minimal reaching below shoulder Raise items

Use proper body mechanics 3. KEYBOARD POSTURE a. Relaxed arm position during keyboarding (elbows at 90o; forearms parallel to floor)

Recheck chair height and raise or lower, as needed

b. Wrists not flexed nor extended Lower or remove keyboard tilt Recheck chair height and raise or lower, as needed Obtain wrist rest to prevent resting palms or wrists on the

edge of desk. c. Wrists not bent to either side (i.e., no side deviation)

Review typing skills and habits Adjust keyboard position to minimize deviation Obtain different keyboard (e.g., split)

d. Relaxed fingers and hands Use light touch Perform relaxation exercises

f. Eliminate slouching of upper body Move closer to keyboard Sit up straight Perform different activity (i.e., mini break) Take scheduled breaks

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4. MOUSE a. Position of mouse allows for arm at side (i.e., arm not extended)

Move chair closer to work surface Place mouse close to keyboard and at same level (If

necessary, obtain longer keyboard tray) b. Wrists in neutral posture (i.e., no flexion, extension, nor side deviation)

Recheck mouse placement (i.e., close to keyboard and at same level)

Recheck desk height c. Unrestricted arm motion used when using mouse

Adjust height of arm rests so that proper arm position and movement are not impeded

If unable to adjust, armrests are in the way, and arm support is not needed, remove armrests

If added support is needed, obtain armrest(s) 5. MONITOR AND DOCUMENT HOLDER a. Head in neutral position Raise or lower monitor (Top of viewing area should be at

or slightly below eye level unless screen is viewed through lower part of glasses [bifocals] and neck is extended, then monitor should be lower.)

Orient monitor directly in front of body Use document holder Place document holder right beside monitor and at same

height as viewing screen b. Monitor at arm’s length Adjust distance of monitor c. Upper torso relaxed against chair backrest Sit back in the chair and adjust posture

Sit close to the desk and keep your back supported by the backrest at all times

Raise or lower the chair backrest

d. Document holder and monitor are equal distance from eyes

Adjust monitor and/or document holder distance

e. Document holder and monitor are at the same height

Adjust monitor and/or document holder Obtain different document holder

f. Glare minimized Tilt monitor slightly downward Adjust monitor brightness Close window coverings Obtain anti-glare screen or hood Contact Facilities Management for lighting assessment or

to decrease overhead lighting Ideally, the window should be at the side of the monitor

6. TELEPHONE a. Neck centered and in neutral position Adjust posture

Hold handset with hand (i.e., no cradling between head and shoulder)

Obtain headset if required b. Telephone within easy reach Move telephone closer to eliminate reaching 7. WORK AND PERSONAL HABITS a. Visual rest every 20 minutes Perform eye exercises (see provided Eye exercise sheet) b. Hourly stretch break

Pace work activities Take scheduled breaks Perform office exercises 4 times per shift (see provided

Exercise sheet) c. Alternate tasks once per hour Vary work activities

Reorganize or modify job to add task variety c. Personal habits Get adequate rest

Keep fit Eat healthy

Checklist adapted from: Office Ergonomics (1999), WCB Alberta Revised: September 2008