Date post: | 13-Apr-2017 |
Category: |
Healthcare |
Upload: | samaresh-das |
View: | 251 times |
Download: | 3 times |
Human factors and ergonomicsSomething , somewhere went terribly wrong
Dr. Samaresh Das
Ergonomics
Ergonomicso Ergonomics is the science and the art of fitting the
job and the workplace to workers’ needs.
o It is the study of work & way to make jobs / tasks
in a better way
o It is a way to make work easier
Why Ergonomics?To reduce the risk of
•Accidents•Injury • Ill health due to poor ergonomics
Reduce Sickness absence / Costs
Increase Performance / Output
Everyone in any organization is at risk and it is not just
“heavy” or “physical” jobs that cause injury
So our aim should be FEEL BETTER ,
WORK SMARTER
Assessments……
By assessing all aspects of:
o Individuals and the jobs they perform e.g. Their
physical capabilities, tasks, equipment ,tools and
working environment
oTo design work systems that are safe, flexible,
efficient and productive.
Health Issues Associated with Poor Ergonomics
Back pain / Injuries
Work related upper limb disorder
Psychological problems (Stress)
Musculoskeletal Disorders- MSDs
o Musculoskeletal Disorders affect the muscles, nerves
and tendons. They are:
o Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
o Tendinitis
o Rotator cuff injuries (shoulder problem)
o Epicondylitis (elbow problem)
o Muscle strains and low back pain
Back Pain & InjuriesoBending, Twisting, and Lifting
o Incorrect Posture
o Prolonged Sitting and/or Standing
o Slips & Fall
o Exposure to Vibration
Work Related Upper Limb Disorders
continued “over use” can lead to permanent damage through:
oRepetitive actions
oFrequent applications of force
oUnnatural postures/positions
oInadequate rest and recovery
oInadequate physical preparation (warming up)
Psychological Factors
Person under too much “pressure” may be more at risk ato Physical / Ergonomic Injury
o Fatigue
o Accidents ( mistakes, inattention, saving time, shortcut’s)
o General ill health (run down / poor condition)
o Substance Abuse
The Worker & ErgonomicsTwo Basic Objectiveso Match the requirements of a task to the individualo Optimise the design of the task to the individual to reduce the
risk of injury, ill health and discomfort. o E.g.: Work stations may need to be adjustable so that they
suit a range of people.
The Worker & Ergonomics
The WorkerEach worker is unique:oSize & Shapeo Age and Gendero Race and Languageo Physical Ability (Health & Fitness)o Limitations Vulnerabilities, Disabilities, Mental Abilityo ExperienceoIt is very difficult to optimise a task or a workplace to suit everyone
People and Comfort….Different views about
• Temperature
• Ventilation
• Lighting
• Background Noise
• Isolation
• Overcrowding
• CommunicationDiscomfort will influence how a person will work
The Risk of Injury….
o Doing something too frequently without break
o Work in awkward position/ angles
o Workstation is not “fit”
o Working under discomfort and significant pressure
Office Ergonomics
Office of horrors
Ideal Office
Good ergonomics
Ergonomics
o One of the biggest injury risk factors is static posture.o Try to spend at least 5 minutes /hr hour away from your computer.o Remember to ONLY stretch to the point of mild tension.o Try to incorporate the stretches into your daily routine.o This slide provides some illustrations of simple active stretches to
perform at the office.
Hand Exerciseso Tightly clench your hand into a fist and release, fanning out the
fingers. Repeat 3 times
Good ergonomics
Back and Shoulder ExercisesStand up straight, place your right hand on your left
shoulder and move your head back gently. Do the same thing for the right shoulder
Head and Neck Exercises…o Move head sideways from left to right and back to
lefto Move head backwards and then forward
Stretches…..
Stretches Cont……
Stretches Cont……
Home Ergonomics
oIt is about making home more comfortable, efficient and user-friendly living space.
oThe ergonomics of home greatly affect body and overall health.
KitchenoInstall a cushioned mat to stand
o Use oven that is mounted near chest height, eliminating the need to bend over.
o Choose a refrigerator that has a bottom-mounted freezer, which reduces the need to bend over when accessing the main body of the fridge.
Living Roomo Furniture should be easy to move
o Avoid couches that are too low and without a proper lumbar support
o Avoid sitting in front of the television in a position where neck is maintaining an upward tilt
o When eating in front of the television, place food on a surface that is high enough to eliminate the need to bend over to eat.
BedroomoUse cervical pillow that supports the natural curve of neck.
o Use products that properly support your neck while reading or watching television in bed
o Use a mattress that supports your spine
BathroomoUse bath, floor mats and install hand bars to prevent slips and falls.
oBathroom sinks and showerheads not be too low
Driving Ergonomics
Driving Ergonomics
For back Support o Choose a vehicle that sits high - an SUV instead of a sports car
oEnter the car first by sitting down and then swinging your legs under the wheel
o To leave your vehicle, slide the car seat back before swinging your legs out and planting your feet on the ground.
oLook for cars with automatic transmissions and power steering.
oUse a lumbar support cushion and add foam wedges to the seat to elevate pelvis
For Neck and shoulder o Avoid leaning forward when sit in the driver’s seat
o Position the car seat comfortable and not stretching
o Make sure there is sufficient room between head and the roof of the car
Optimal car seato Choose a comfortable and supportive seat
o Confirm all adjustment mechanisms are easy to use
o Make sure the seat material does not create discomfort and all parts of the seat provide adequate support
Ergo Driving Breako To reset spine and alleviate pressure caused by prolonged sitting, take advantage of red lights or sitting in traffic by doing some simple stretches
oHolding a steering wheel in awkward postures or too tightly can cause carpal tunnel syndrome
Ergo Checklist
Thanks