Designing The Workplace To

Best Protect The Health And

Safety Of Employees
ERGONOMIC SOLUTIONS
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS
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Repetitive motion
Static pressure
Poor posture
Force
Stress
Unstable position
Awkward position
Lifting
Twisting
Lighting
Vibrations
Cold
ERGONOMIC HAZARDS
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Pressure
Joint or muscle
deviation
Carrying
Air quality
Uncomfortable
temperatures
Unstable
positions
Chemicals
Sharp objects
Extended exertion
time
ERGONOMIC AIDS
Adjust chair to fit the user
Adjust height and position of keyboard
Adjust desk or table to fit employee
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Use footrest for dangling feet
Use foot rail, foot stool, or standing
stool for standing workers
Adjust tilt and curvature of keyboard to
match natural hand position
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STANDING STOOLS
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Adjust height of work surface for standing
workers
Place most used task materials within
nearest reach zone
Prioritize materials according to reach
zones

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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Improve housekeeping
Eliminate clutter
Organize storage areas to minimize
hazardous lifting
Avoid leaving items on the floor, not even
temporarily
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Minimize static lifting, especially upward
Organize work and work area to avoid
awkward postures
Request help with heavy, bulky, or awkward
lifting tasks
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Remove obstructions to passageways and storage
access
Provide regular equipment checks and maintenance
Repair or replace damaged equipment
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Assure work processes are the least
strenuous and stressful
Assure the most natural body positions are
being used
Take and properly use rest breaks
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Reduce exposure to strenuous and
stressful tasks
Do not rest wrists on sharp or hard edges

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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Place mouse within easy reach
Blow dust from mouse ball cavity and wash
ball with mild soap and water
Top of the VDT should be no higher than eye
level
Bifocal wearers may wish to have monitor
somewhat lower
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
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Use soft-touch when keyboarding
Locate VDT to minimize glare
Use screen hoods or glare guards
to minimize glare
ERGONOMIC AIDS
Keep VDT screen clean and free from dust
Reduce excessive light, especially for
computer work
Do not cradle the phone on the shoulder
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Organize work and area to minimize bending
and squatting
Plan work to break up extended periods of
repetitive motion tasks
Limit excessive exposure duration to
vibrations
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Use proper personal protective equipment in
extreme temperatures
Report hazards and hazardous situations to
your supervisor
Eliminate ALL fall hazards, e.g., slips and trips
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ERGONOMIC AIDS
Take health and safety seriously, both on the job
and at home
Know safe processes and procedures
Be a health and safety role model for others
to follow
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Avoiding a Painful Back

SAFE LIFTING
Back Injuries
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Back injuries account for nearly 20% of all injuries
and illnesses in the workplace.

Back injuries cost the nation an estimated 20 to
50 billion dollars per year.
Slips, Trips and Falls
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On stairways alone, falls result in over two
million disabling injuries yearly.
There are thousands more minor injuries
caused by slips, trips, and falls each year.
Most alarming of all is, the fact that industrial
falls cause over 1000 deaths each year.
Slips, trips and falls account for 15 to 20
percent of all workers' compensation costs.
Leading Back Injury Factors
Poor posture
Poor physical condition
Incorrect lifting
Jobs that require high energy
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THE SPINES BASIC FUNCTIONS
Providing support
Protecting the spinal cord
Providing flexibility to allow
bending and rotating
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STANDING POSTURE
Keep your spinal column
aligned in its natural
curves
Prop one foot up on a
stool to reduce stress in
your lower back
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STRETCH OFTEN - SHIFT
POSITIONS
Shift your posture often
Stretch frequently
throughout the day
Keep your body flexible (not
rigid or fixed)
Dont force your body to
conform to its workspace
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LIFT WITH COMMON SENSE!
Assess the situation
Is the load big, bulky, heavy?
Do you need help?
Remember- no single technique will
work in all circumstances
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THE SAFE LIFTING ZONE
The safe lifting zone is
between the knees
and shoulders
Below knee level?
Bend with your knees
and lift with your legs
Above your
shoulders?
Use a stool or ladder
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PUSH-- DONT PULL
Can you slide
it instead of
lifting it?
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Do you need equipment to help move
it?
Use proper equipment
Hand trucks

Forklifts

Dollies

Use gloves if needed
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Must you twist or stretch to get it?
Readjust the load or
your position before
you lift.
Get help!
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PREPARING TO LIFT OR MOVE
Have you stretched your
muscles or warmed up
before lifting?
Are you wearing slip
resistant shoes?
Have you cleared a
pathway before you move
the item?
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WHEN YOU LIFT
Do
Plant your feet firmly - get a
stable base
Bend at your knees - not your
waist
Tighten your abdominal muscles
to support your spine
Get a good grip - use both
hands
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WHEN YOU LIFT
Do
Keep the load close to
your body
Use your leg muscles as
you lift
Keep your back upright,
keep it in its natural
posture
Lift steadily and smoothly
without jerking
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WHEN YOU LIFT
Do Not
Lift from the floor
Twist and lift
Lift with one hand
(unbalanced)
Lift loads across
obstacles
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WHEN YOU LIFT
Do Not
Lift while reaching or
stretching
Lift from an uncomfortable
posture
Fight to recover a dropped
object (let it go!)
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One-handed Lift
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Twisting
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REMEMBER!
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Your work day is one third of your total day
Plan your tasks carefully to avoid a painful back
Managing your back is your responsibility
General Safety Rules
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Make your safety your first consideration in every situation.
Keep your work area clean and free from loose objects,
stumbling or slipping hazards (including electrical wires
from equipment).
Be aware of walking surfaces. Extra care is needed on
wet or icy surfaces.
Never leave an unsafe condition unmarked or unguarded.
Always post wet floor signs when needed.
General Safety Rules (continued)
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Wear adequate shoes that are not open and that give
good support and slip resistance.
Never use broken or damaged ladders or other
equipment.
Ladders in front of doors should be marked or posted
with warning barricades.
Use care when working on stairways.
Be cautious when working to keep from tripping over
equipment such as buckets, vacuum cleaners, and
other tools.
Electrical Safety
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Always check electrical cords, tools, or equipment before
using. Damaged equipment should be pulled from service.
Any equipment that sparks, stalls or runs hot should be
checked out.
Avoid wearing excessive jewelry when performing
electrical tasks.
Do not block fire service panels.
Extension cords should only be used temporarily.
THANK YOU
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