Ergonomics is the scientific study of the relationship of employees to their physical environment, including the work-space and related tools. This has become an active area in the research fields to increase the comfort (and productivity) of employees.

1. Office Ergonomics
By
Akinola Alalade
Youth Programme Assistant
Population Council, Nigeria
30/01/2015

2. Outline
• Physical Demands
• Ergonomics Definition and Application
• Risk Factors
• Back Pain: Correct and Incorrect
Techniques
• Prevention Strategies
• Ergonomic Products
• References

3. Adjusting your workstation to fit your body

4. Physical demands
• What are the physical demands of your job….

5. Ergonomics Definition
• Designing the job to fit the worker rather than
physically forcing the worker to fit the job1,2,6

6. Ergonomics Application
• Workstation Design6—(desks, chairs, space, layout)
• Work Postures3 — (sitting, standing, reaching, lifting)
• Work Organization6 — (Pace, Breaks,Variety)
• Tools, Equipment, and Furniture Design—(body size,
height, gender, promoting neutral postures, reduced
vibration, exposure to acceptable lighting, noise,
temperature)
• Manual Materials Handling3,7—(lifting, lowering, pulling,
pushing, carrying and holding materials)
• Work Environment2—(ventilation, noise, temperature &
humidity, lighting and vision)

7. Risk Factors
• Repetitive Movements3,5
– Same joints /muscle groups (Thousands of keystrokes typing,
Repeated motions with computer mouse)
• Forceful Movements3,5
– Excessive movements for long periods of time (e.g. extended
reach)
• Fixed or Awkward Postures3,5,7
– Cause fatigue (sitting rigidly for long periods; reaching above
shoulder, Leaning forward at your desk,Typing with wrists at
an odd angle, Raising shoulders while typing, Reaching to use
mouse)
• Bending,Twisting and Heavy Lifting3,5,6

8. Back Pain: Correct and Incorrect
Techniques
• Occupations that involve manual physical handling
and physical workload are known to predispose
people to musculoskeletal disorder.4
• Which one is correct?

9. Back Pain: Correct and Incorrect
Techniques

10. Back Pain: Correct and Incorrect
Techniques

11. Prevention Strategies
• The elbow should be at a comfortable angle while
“hanging” at the sides from the shoulders.The
shoulders should remain in a relax position while
typing.

12. Prevention Strategies
• Avoid typing with wrists at an odd angles…
– keep them in the neutral position, not bent up or
down, or side-to-side

13. Prevention Strategies
• The keyboard should be slightly lower than normal desk height.
– If it is not low enough, try raising your chair height. Prevent
your legs from dangling by using a footrest.

14. Prevention Strategies
• Place monitor in front of you, not off at an angle.
• Take lots of breaks to stretch and relax.
• Hold the mouse lightly.
• Keep your hands and arms warm.

15. Ergonomic Products
Chairs Adjustable
Desks

18. References
1. Ergonomics: The Study of Work OSHA 3125 2000 (Revised)
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3125.pdf
2. Environmental Health & Safety 120 Physical Plant Services Bldg. |
Stillwater, OK 74078 | 405.744.7241 | All rights reserved OSU-System |
OSU-Stillwater | OSU-OKC | OSU-Tulsa | OSU-Okmulgee | OSU-CHS |
Accessibility https://ehs.okstate.edu/kopykit/ergo.htm
3. Industrial Accident Prevention Association 2009. All rights reserved.
http://www.iapa.ca/main/documents/pdf/freedownloads_pda_intro.p
df
4. Ando, S., Ono, Y., Shiamoke, M., Hiratu, S., Hatton, Y., Horr, F.,
Takeuchi, Y.(2004) ‘Association of self estimated workloads with
musculoskeletal symptoms among hospital nurses’. Occupational and
Environmental Medicine, 57(3):21-16.
5. Olaogun M O B (1993) Health hazards in Physiotherapy in Hospital
setting: A comparactive study. Journal of the Nigeria Society of
Physiotherapy. 9(1):12-16
6. Joint Professional Training and Support International
http://www.jptsng.org/
7. Rosecrance, J.C., Crook, T.M.(1998)‘Musculoskeletal disorder:
Occupational association and a model for prevention’.Ocupational
Health and Safety, 4 :214 - 231.