ERGONOMICS
SUMAIYA BANU I,
MPT (CARDIO)
LECTURER, DRMGRERI
Table of content:
i. History of ergonomic
ii.Objective of ergonomic
iii.Types of ergonomic
iv.Principle of ergonomic
v.Ergonomics injuries
vi.Ergonomic risks factor
vii.Benefits of ergonomic
HISTORY OF ERGONOMICS
• The word Ergonomics is derived from the Greek words “ergos”
and nomos”.
• “Ergos” means work meanwhile “nomos” means principles of
laws (Evelyn Tan Guat Lin, 1996).
• International Labor Organization (ILO) defines ergonomics as the
application of the human biological sciences in conjunction with
the engineering sciences to the worker and which at the same
time enhances productivity.
ergonomics
ERGONOMICS
• Ergonomics is the science of “designing the job to fit the
worker, instead of forcing the worker to fit the job.
• Ergonomic design reduces risk factors known to contribute to
occupational ergonomic injuries and illnesses, such as sprains
and strains and cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs).
OBJECTIVES OF ERGONOMICS
• To improve the efficiency of operation by
taking into account a typical person's
size, strength, speed, and visual acuity.
• To maximize productivity while lowering
the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders
(MSDs).
TYPES OF ERGONOMICS
Physical ergonomics
The human body’s responses to physical and
physiological work loads. Repetitive strain injuries from
repetition, vibration, force, and posture fall into this category.
Cognitive ergonomics
The mental processes and capacities of humans when at
work. Mental strain from workload, decision making, human
error, and training fall into this category.
Organizational ergonomics
The organizational structures, policies and
processes in the work environment, such as
shift work, scheduling, job satisfaction,
motivation,supervision,teamwork,
telecommuting, and ethics.
ERGONOMIC INJURIES
Ergonomic 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
• Combination of these risk factors that, over
time , can lead to pain, injury, and disability.
• 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)
• 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.
What are the sign and symptoms of an
Ergonomic Injury or MSD?
• 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
Risk factors become hazardous when:
there is a longer duration of
exposure
Shoulders
Working with the hand(s) above the More than 4 hours
head or the elbow(s) above the total per day
shoulder(s)
Risk factors become hazardous when:
there is greater intensity
Risk factors become hazardous when:
there is a combination of risk factors
Arms, Gripping an
unsupported object(s) Highly repetitive More than 3
wrists,
weighing 10 or more motion hours total per
hands pounds per hand, or day
gripping with a force of
10 pounds or more per
hand (comparable to
clamping light duty
Flexion
automotive jumper More than 3
cables onto a battery) Wrists bent in
hours total per
flexion 30° or
day Extension
more, or in
extension 45° or
more, or in ulnar
deviation 30° or
more
Ulnar deviation
Ergonomic Risk Factors
(examples)
Repetitive or sustained awkward To improve postures and reduce
postures, such as mopping the risk of injury:
surfaces by bending, positioning Provide mops with extendable
the elbow away from body, handles. Train workers in safe
over-extending during push and work procedures, for example,
pull movements and the figure- mopping small sections to
eight method, excessive wrist avoid extended reaching, and
bending and twisting. stepping or shifting legs to
avoid twisting the upper body.28
Keep wrist in a neutral
position when typing.
May wear a wrist splint
to prevent awkward
positioning during work.
Modify work station as
necessary.
BENEFITS OF ERGONOMICS
Employer Employee
1. Improves Employee Engagement 1. Increased Savings
Can reduce turnover, decrease Fewer injuries and workers’
absenteeism and increases employee compensation claims
involvement More productive and
sustainable employees
2. Creates a Better Safety Culture
2. Increased Productivity
Healthy employees are most Reduce the primary risk factors
valuable asset; creating and fostering for MSDs , so workers are more
the safety & health culture in efficient, productive and have greater
company will lead to better human job satisfaction
performance for organization 3. Increased Morale
3. Improves Quality Can make employees feel
By designing a job to allow for valued because they know their
good posture, less exertion, fewer employer is making their workplace
motions and better heights and safer
reaches, the workstation becomes
more efficient
ERGONOMICS IN THE WORKPLACE
System Components Ergonomics Attributes
Equipment Work equipment design, emergency routes, entry and exit
routes, display and control, installation, maintenance
Office Physical space, the components arrangement, working height,
seating arrangement, materials movement
Work Process Work process design, methods, materials handling manual, skills
requirement, fatigue and rest periods, repetition of work
Environment Noise, temperature, humidity, lighting, dust, pollution, foul
vapors, vibration, work floor conditions, hygiene management
Management Plant layouts, ergonomics and safety programs, compliance with
occupational safety and health, environmental standards,
feedback and attitude
Employee Safety and work training, knowledge, skills, posture, personal
protective equipment, pressure, fatigue, job satisfaction
REFERENCE
• Oklahoma State University. Defining Ergonomics.
https://ehs.okstate.edu/kopykit/ergo.htm
• Jeffrey. E.F., Michael. G. ERGONOMICS IN THE WORKPLACE
http://www.seas.columbia.edu/earth/wtert/sofos/nawtec/nawtec08/nawtec
08-0019.pdf
• What is ergonomics? (n.d.). Retrieved May 6, 2015, from
http://www.ergonomics.org.uk/learning/what-ergonomics/
• Dan MacLeod,(2008). 10 Priciple of Ergonomic. Retrieved on May 6,
2015, from
http://danmacleod.com/ErgoForYou/10_principles_of_ergonomics.htm
• Adrian Hirst, L. M. (2011). Guidance for Occupational Hygienists.
England: British Occupational Hygiene Society.
• Dhillon, P. S. (2011). Penyiasatan Kemalangan & Kejadian. Kuala
Lupmpur: MSOSH.
• Research, H. (2013). Health and Safety Workplace Case Studies.
Canterbury: Pullin Shearing Ltd.
• US Department of Labor. (2000). Ergonomics : The Study of Work. Osha
3125, 2000. Retrieved from www.osha.gov.
• https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/
