Workplace Ergonomic Considerations

Ergonomic Considerations and Assessment Guidelines

1. Lighting Ergonomic Assessment
   a. Natural - rays directed towards work space, ideally from behind  or more than 135 degrees from line of sight
   b. Synthetic – full spectrum - only valid = flourescent
2. Mouse (wireless) Ergonomic Assessment
   a. Elbow close to body
   b. Alternate from left to right hand every other week
   c. Adjustable height mouse platform.
3. Keyboard (wireless, horizontal) Ergonomic Assessment
   a. Placement – able to move out of way when not using
   b. Typing - wrists @ neutral - elbows @ 70-135 degrees.
   c. Adjustable height platform, with adjustable height mouse platform
   d. Consider headset with voice recognition software – break in period
4. Monitor Ergonomic Assessment– at arm distance, flat screen, high quality, sharp images
   a. Height – eye @ top of screen so head is in neutral or slightly flexed
   b. Size – minimum 17”, possible multi monitor set-u\
   c. Anti-glare screen – must be no glare at all
   d. Last eye check up? Avoid Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) – frequent eye breaks - @ least 1x/hr – distant object = 20sec
   e. Multiple neck savers/document holders - paper document next to monitor - same angle as monitor
   f. Wall mount – full motion
5. Chair Ergonomic Assessment- change settings freqeuntly
   a. Head rest
   b. Adjustable arm rest
   c.Tilt – great way to alternate sitting habits
   d. Swivel
   e. Sitting – pelvis resting on back rest with pressure on “sit” bone
   f. Passive lumbar curve support
6. Desk  Ergonomic Assessment
   a. Position – consider diection of natural lighting source.
   b. Width of chair slot – chair must be able to slide fully into desk slot
   c. Slant – 10-20 degrees (or adjustable) tilted towards chair position may be useful.
7. sitting Ergonomic Assessment- greater than 10 minutes – will allow creep and hysteresis
   a. **Dynamic** – ideal posture is one that continually changes.
   b. Static – knees = 90-120, do not remain sitting >50min – stand – take break
   c. Angled foot rest
   e. Edge of seat at least 2” behind the back of the knees
   f. Reclined to 100-110, no lifting heavy objects after prolonged sitting
8. Objects on desk – keep within comfortable distance
9. Phone Ergonomic Assessment – Headset, Bluetooth
10. breathing/environment a. add plants – reduction of VOCs, wall art
11. Ventilation/noise - periodic open window, small fan, music

Breaks

1. Eye – 15 minutes
2. Micro - <2min – stand/stretch/phone
3. Walk/Move – every 30-60min, outdoors
4. http://www.magnitude.com - software that keeps track of computer use, keyboard clicks, and will remind you when to take breaks
5. Shift sitting positions every 10-20

Office Stretches

1. Clenched fists – 10 circles in & 10 out
2. Cervical ROM
3. Pray position, 15 s
4. Rev. pray, 15 s

Strength Training

1. Bruggers Postural Relief Position/Exercise – every 20 min while sitting and each time upon returning to seated position.
2. Gyroball – 1x/d
3. Guided Core Stablization ex.
4. Isometric Cx

Supplements – Tailored to individual

Comments:  Ergonomics has everything to do with your work environment, the lighting, the seating arrangements, the elevation of the work surface, the height of the chair, the posture during the work activities, the quantity, frequency and duration of work breaks. All of these aspects comprise a work environment and properly setting up a workstation will address negative ergonomic influences on employee health over the long term. Work environment does not have to be an essential equivalent to source of stress; neither physical stress, emotional stress or toxic stress. The key for fleet managers in terms of ergonomic investments is to get high quality furnishings with multiple adjustments to customize to the postural needs of each individual employee on the work site.