WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?
Ergonomics is about designing for people, wherever they interact with products, systems or processes. We usually don’t notice good design (unless perhaps, it’s exceptional) because it gives us no cause to, but we do notice poor design. The emphasis within ergonomics is to ensure that designs complement the strengths and abilities of people and minimize the effects of their limitations, rather than forcing them to adapt. In achieving this aim, it becomes necessary to understand and design for the variability represented in the population, spanning such attributes as age, size, strength, cognitive ability, prior experience, cultural expectations and goals. Qualified agronomists are the only recognized professionals to have competency in optimizing performance, safety and comfort.
TYPES OF ERGONOMICS
Physical ergonomics: the science of designing user interaction with equipment and workplaces to fit the user.
Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomy, and some of the anthropocentric, physiological and bio mechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. Physical ergonomic principles have been widely used in the design of both consumer and industrial products. Physical ergonomics is important in the medical field, particularly to those diagnosed with physiological ailments or disorders such as arthritis (both chronic and temporary) or carpal tunnel syndrome. Pressure that is insignificant or imperceptible to those unaffected by these disorders may be very painful, or render a device unusable, for those who are. Many ergonomically designed products are also used or recommended to treat or prevent such disorders, and to treat pressure-related chronic pain.
One of the most prevalent types of work-related injuries are musculoskeletal disorders. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) result in persistent pain, loss of functional capacity and work disability, but their initial diagnosis is difficult because they are mainly based on complaints of pain and other symptoms. Every year 1.8 million U.S. workers experience WRMDs and nearly 600,000 of the injuries are serious enough to cause workers to miss work. Certain jobs or work conditions cause a higher rate worker complaints of undue strain, localized fatigue, discomfort, or pain that does not go away after overnight rest. These types of jobs are often those involving activities such as repetitive and forceful exertions; frequent, heavy, or overhead lifts; awkward work positions; or use of vibrating equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found substantial evidence that ergonomics programs can cut workers' compensation costs, increase productivity and decrease employee turnover. Therefore, it is important to gather data to identify jobs or work conditions that are most problematic, using sources such as injury and illness logs, medical records, and job analyses.
Cognitive ergonomics:
Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. (Relevant topics include mental workload, decision-making, skilled performance, human reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system and Human-Computer Interaction design.)
Organizational ergonomics
Organizational ergonomics is concerned with the optimization of socio-technical systems, including their organizational structures, policies, and processes. Relevant topics include communication, crew resource management, work design,work design, design of working times, teamwork, participator design, community ergonomics, cooperative work, new work programs, virtual organizations, telework, and quality management.
WHAT IS AN ERGONOMIC INJURY
Ergonomic injuries are those injuries caused by the presence of ergonomic risk factors, including:
Ergonomic injuries may be referred to as Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs), Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs), Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs), or Cumulative Trauma Injuries (CTIs). OSHA and NIOSH typically use the term MSD or Musculoskeletal Disorder.
Ergonomic injuries or MSDs can affect the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs. They can be directly or indirectly related to job duties or the work environment. Non-work activities and environments can also impact MSDs. For example, the average employee may spend 6-8 hours of the work day on the computer. With features such as internet shopping, web bill paying, and email that employee will likely spend 2-4 additional hours per day on his or her personal computer. As we spend more and more time on the computer each day, it is imperative that we take the steps to be sure our computer (both at work and at home) is set up to prevent these Musculoskeletal Disorders.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AN ERGONOMIC INJURY
HOW CAN I KEEP MYSELF SAFE?
IMAGES OF GOOD ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics is about designing for people, wherever they interact with products, systems or processes. We usually don’t notice good design (unless perhaps, it’s exceptional) because it gives us no cause to, but we do notice poor design. The emphasis within ergonomics is to ensure that designs complement the strengths and abilities of people and minimize the effects of their limitations, rather than forcing them to adapt. In achieving this aim, it becomes necessary to understand and design for the variability represented in the population, spanning such attributes as age, size, strength, cognitive ability, prior experience, cultural expectations and goals. Qualified agronomists are the only recognized professionals to have competency in optimizing performance, safety and comfort.
TYPES OF ERGONOMICS
Physical ergonomics: the science of designing user interaction with equipment and workplaces to fit the user.
Physical ergonomics is concerned with human anatomy, and some of the anthropocentric, physiological and bio mechanical characteristics as they relate to physical activity. Physical ergonomic principles have been widely used in the design of both consumer and industrial products. Physical ergonomics is important in the medical field, particularly to those diagnosed with physiological ailments or disorders such as arthritis (both chronic and temporary) or carpal tunnel syndrome. Pressure that is insignificant or imperceptible to those unaffected by these disorders may be very painful, or render a device unusable, for those who are. Many ergonomically designed products are also used or recommended to treat or prevent such disorders, and to treat pressure-related chronic pain.
One of the most prevalent types of work-related injuries are musculoskeletal disorders. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) result in persistent pain, loss of functional capacity and work disability, but their initial diagnosis is difficult because they are mainly based on complaints of pain and other symptoms. Every year 1.8 million U.S. workers experience WRMDs and nearly 600,000 of the injuries are serious enough to cause workers to miss work. Certain jobs or work conditions cause a higher rate worker complaints of undue strain, localized fatigue, discomfort, or pain that does not go away after overnight rest. These types of jobs are often those involving activities such as repetitive and forceful exertions; frequent, heavy, or overhead lifts; awkward work positions; or use of vibrating equipment. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found substantial evidence that ergonomics programs can cut workers' compensation costs, increase productivity and decrease employee turnover. Therefore, it is important to gather data to identify jobs or work conditions that are most problematic, using sources such as injury and illness logs, medical records, and job analyses.
Cognitive ergonomics:
Cognitive ergonomics is concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions among humans and other elements of a system. (Relevant topics include mental workload, decision-making, skilled performance, human reliability, work stress and training as these may relate to human-system and Human-Computer Interaction design.)
Organizational ergonomics
Organizational ergonomics is concerned with the optimization of socio-technical systems, including their organizational structures, policies, and processes. Relevant topics include communication, crew resource management, work design,work design, design of working times, teamwork, participator design, community ergonomics, cooperative work, new work programs, virtual organizations, telework, and quality management.
WHAT IS AN ERGONOMIC INJURY
Ergonomic injuries are those injuries caused by the presence of ergonomic risk factors, including:
- Awkward or sustained postures
- Forceful exertion or strain
- Contact pressure
- Exposure to vibration
- Exposure to heat or cold
Ergonomic injuries may be referred to as Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs), Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs), Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs), or Cumulative Trauma Injuries (CTIs). OSHA and NIOSH typically use the term MSD or Musculoskeletal Disorder.
Ergonomic injuries or MSDs can affect the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs. They can be directly or indirectly related to job duties or the work environment. Non-work activities and environments can also impact MSDs. For example, the average employee may spend 6-8 hours of the work day on the computer. With features such as internet shopping, web bill paying, and email that employee will likely spend 2-4 additional hours per day on his or her personal computer. As we spend more and more time on the computer each day, it is imperative that we take the steps to be sure our computer (both at work and at home) is set up to prevent these Musculoskeletal Disorders.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AN ERGONOMIC INJURY
- Pain in the fingers, wrists, or other parts of the body: may include a dull aching pain, a sharp stabbing pain, or even a burning sensation
- Tingling or numbness, particularly in the hands or fingers
- Swelling, inflammation, or joint stiffness
- Loss of muscle function or weakness
- Discomfort or pain in the shoulders, neck, or upper or lower back
- Extremities turning white or feeling unusually cold
- General feeling of muscle tightness, cramping, or discomfort
- Clumsiness or loss of coordination
- Range of motion loss
- Discomfort when making certain movements
HOW CAN I KEEP MYSELF SAFE?
- Recognize the symptoms of an MSD
- Report any symptoms or concerns to your supervisor- early intervention means a better outcome
- Participate in Ergo i-SEAT, UCR's online ergonomic self assessment and training program for computer users
- Install Ctrl Work on your computer and take those healthy stretch breaks
- Follow our ergonomic guidelines for computer users
- Complete a Laboratory Ergonomics Checklist
- Be sure that you have the right tools for your computer workstation and laboratory
- Contact your ergonomics program for a laboratory or office workstation evaluation
IMAGES OF GOOD ERGONOMICS
IMAGES OF BAD ERGONOMICS