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COMPUTER/DSE
ERGONOMICS US. NAVAL
HOSPITAL ROTA
SPAIN INDUSTRIAL
HYGIENE DEPT.
Revised Sept. 2000
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
Understand the definition of ergonomics
Understand Primary Causes of Cumulative
Trauma Disorders (CTDs).
Understand ways to prevent CTDs
Learn about PC workstation accessories to
reduce computer work stress
Basic exercises to reduce / relieve ergo-
stress.
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DEFINITION
ERGONOMICSis a way to worksmarter--not harder by designing of
tools, equipment, work stations and
tasks to fit the job to the worker--NOTthe worker to the job:
Layout / type of controls & displays
Lighting & Temperature
Process (Heights, reaches, weights)
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WHY WORRY ?
Work Related MusculoskeletalDisorders (WMSDs)are fastest-
growing injury/illness category
(accounting for over 1.8 million annual
lost workday cases in 1997 BLS stats).
Up 600% over last 11 years
$13 to 20 billion total injury cost / year
& average $29 K / case compensation
claim cost
More lost workdays for RSIs (ave. =
30 days for a Carpal Tunnel injury)
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MSD INJURY DATA 600,000 MSDs require time off from
work.
Women suffer more ergonomic injuries
due: to having jobs requiring more heavy
lifting, repetitive tasks and awkward
postures
70% of Carpal Tunnel
62% of Tendonitis
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CAR COST IS (PARTIALLY)--A PAIN
IN THE BACK !! According to Dr. E.W. Simmons,
president of the American Back
Society, medical costs related toback injury can add up to $1,800 to
the price of every car made in Detroit
!!
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CTD INJURY FACTORS
Lesions to tendons of theneck, back, shoulders,
arms, wrists or hands
Primary causes:
Repetitive movements
over long periods of
timeAwkward postures
Use of excessive forces
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CTD RISK CONTROL: POSTURE
NEUTRAL &COMFORTABLE:
Wrists straight
Shoulders relaxed withelbows close to body
head / shoulders & back
in vertical alignment
Frequent breaks when
bent postures cant be
avoided
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ERGONOMIC ALIGNMENT
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CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Occurs with repetitive motion of hands &wrists--especially with high force levels.
Incidence up to 15% in certain industries.
A natural keyboard and good wrist supportcan help most PC users avoid problems
GOOD NEWS: Have dropped about 30%
since 1990--which most attribute to strongworkplace ergonomics programs
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CTD RISK CONTROL:
REPETITION Use automatic tools for repetitive tasks
(screw and bolt tightening)
Eliminate unnecessary tasks / movementsby redesigning maintenance procedures and
workstations
Take short, frequent breaks
Alternate tasks and processes to use
different muscle groups
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ERGONOMICS SUMMARY
Good ergonomic design of tools, processesand furniture DOES improve personnel
comfort, health, morale, productivity and
readiness. Individual effort as part of a workshop team
is the greatest means of identifying /
improving workplace ergonomic issues. Its critical to seek prompt medical aid for
symptoms of ergonomic stress / CTDs
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Computer Ergonomics Routine PC user defined as spending 20 hours or
more per week working at a computer.
Studies of PC users have not shown a risk of eye
damage...although fatigue very possible.
NIOSHstudies have not indicated a radiation
hazard nor pregnancy risk from PC usage.
Workers using bi/tri-focal glasses before
beginning PC use may need special purpose
glasses for computer work.
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NATURAL KEYBOARDS Three types: Fixed split, Adjustable split &
Sculptured
Awkward wrist postures minimized with 15
to 25 horizontal degree key split AND 8 to
66 degree vertical incline. Key Layout Design Changes Have:
increased comfort (81% of users)
improved postures
reduced muscle activity
lowered carpal tunnel pressure in lab
settings
Obtained primarily to alleviate an injury
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WRIST RESTS
No medical evidence that they reduce RSI injuries...As
they work for some, but not for others
Usage Guidelines:
Buy rest that is even with top of keyboard
Material should be medium-soft (foam--gel mix) so foamdoesnt break down. AVOID hard plastic types
DONT leave wrists on rest...which compresses carpal
tunnel. Palm rest instead.
Changing typing habits more critical than wrist support MOST APPROPRIATELY USED TO REST HANDS
DURING PAUSE IN TYPING
LEARN TO TYPE CORRECTLY WITH
FLOATING WRISTS FIRST!!!
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Ergonomic chairs
Adjustable back height
Adjustable arm rests
Required by OPNAV5100 Safety Instruction
**Chair on left NOT
ergonomically designed
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Alternative Pointing Devices
Track-balls
Scrolling Mouse
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Other Ergonomic PC Accessories
Height-adjustable articulating keyboard tray
**Basic unit available at NEX Sight & Sound for
$19.99 !
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UNSATPC Station Design
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UNSATPC Station Design
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MODEL COMPUTER WORKSTATION
--Keyboard trays WITH wrist support.
--Split "Natural" keyboards tofacilitate neutral wrist angle
--Fully adjustable ergonomic chair
--Document holder to minimize head /eye & neck movements
--Corner desk units to positionmonitor directly in front of employee
--Foot rest where requested.
--Re-organization of workingmaterials within employee arm reach.
--Alternative pointing devices (e.g.,scrolling mouse or trackball devices
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Questions ??... Contact Data
NAVHOSP Rota IH Dept. (x2783 / 2315)
Dave Hiipakka:
email:[email protected] Kevin Dyrdahl (2315):
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