What is ERGONOMICS?

the application of human biological science in

conjunction with the engineering sciences to achieve
optimum mutual adjustment of (hu)man to his/her
work, the benefits being measured in terms of human
efficiency and well being

International labour organization

 the study of the design of requirements of work in
relation to the physical and psychological capabilities
and limitations of people; i.e., ergonomics seeks to fit
the job to the person rather than the person to the job

Occupational safety and Health Association (USA)

Grandjean, taylor & Francis 1998
 Benefits of good ergonomics
Efficiency = simplified tasks
Comfort = less effort to get things done
Productivity = more work for less effort
Time Savings
OUTCOMES OF ERGONOMIC PROBLEMS
Impact on Safety and Health

Musculoskeletal disorders
Vascular disorders
Visual/ocular disorders
Hearing disorders
Skin disorders
Impact on Performance

Low product quality

Equipment damage
High rate of errors
Increased materials wasted
Some 2.31 million women and men around the
world succumb to work related accidents or
diseases every year

International Labour Organization (ILO) 2008

BIGGEST SINGLE REASON FOR ECONOMIC LOSSES
(due to work-related diseases):

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

International Labour Organization 2008

WMSDs are the most common occupational
disease in non-agricultural establishments
employing 20 or more workers accounting for
around 28% of cases recorded

DOLE, Philippines (BITS 2007)

 ERGONOMIC
CONSIDERATIONS

Physical factors
Biological factors
Psychological factors
Work factors
Organizational factors
SOME PHYSICAL FACTORS

Lighting
Noise
Climate
GUIDELINES FOR THERMAL COMFORT
Allow people to control the climate
themselves
Avoid hot or cold radiating surfaces
Avoid very humid and very dry air
(Maintain >30-<70% relative humidity)
GUIDELINES FOR THERMAL COMFORT
Prevent draughts
o Air currents from behind are more unpleasant
than those coming from the front
o Neck and feet are particularly sensitive to
draughts
o A cool draught is more unpleasant than a warm
current
GUIDELINES FOR THERMAL COMFORT
Adjust air temperature to physical effort
TYPE OF WORK AIR TEMP (C)

Seated, thinking task 18-24

Seated, light manual work 16-22

Standing, light manual work 15-21

Standing, heavy manual work 14-20

Heavy work 13-19

 A Well Designed Job

Allows employees some personal control and

responsibility for their work
Involves use of skills
Provides opportunity for learning new skills

(Warr, 1987)
 A Well Designed Job

Provides for some variety

Makes reasonable mental and physical
demands
Has clear goals and requirements

(Warr, 1987)
 A Well Designed Job

Gives feedback about achievement

Is fairly paid
Permits good communication and social
contact

(Warr, 1987)
 TORQUE

TORQUE is force that tends to rotate or turn

things

TORQUE = Force x Distance

 EFFORT
DISTANCE

TORQUE = Force x Distance

EFFORT = LOAD x Distance

PCOM
Philippine College of Occupational Medicine
Philippine College of Occupational Medicine
LIFTING TECHNIQUES
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
 Work-related
Musculoskeletal Disorders
RISK FACTORS FOR WMSDs

Work postures and movements

Repetitiveness and pace of work
Force of movements
Vibration
Temperature
Based on technical note: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Hignet, Mcatamney, Applied Ergonomics 31 (2000) 201-205
Based on technical note: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Hignet, Mcatamney, Applied Ergonomics 31 (2000) 201-205
Based on technical note: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Hignet, Mcatamney, Applied Ergonomics 31 (2000) 201-205
Based on technical note: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Hignet, Mcatamney, Applied Ergonomics 31 (2000) 201-205
Based on technical note: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Hignet, Mcatamney, Applied Ergonomics 31 (2000) 201-205
Based on technical note: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Hignet, Mcatamney, Applied Ergonomics 31 (2000) 201-205
Based on technical note: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Hignet, Mcatamney, Applied Ergonomics 31 (2000) 201-205
Based on technical note: Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), Hignet, Mcatamney, Applied Ergonomics 31 (2000) 201-205
Any body position can cause discomfort and
fatigue if it is maintained for long periods of
time.
EFFECTS OF PROLONGED STANDING
General muscular fatigue
Low back pain
Stiffness in the neck and shoulders
Poor circulation
Varicose veins
Swelling of the feet and legs
Foot problems
Joint damage
Heart and circulatory problems
pregnancy difficulties
Constant sitting is not the safe alternative to
constant standing, in fact prolonged sitting is
pretty bad for you too.

The option to sit, stand, move around and vary

the nature of work tasks is the preferred,
healthy option.
 Two essential principles of good
workplace design:
1. No working posture is so good that it can be
maintained for any length of time without
variation
2. No two individuals are alike, so the
workstation has to be adapted to the
individuals using it.
This should help
1. Change working positions frequently so that
working in one position is of a reasonably
short duration.
2. Avoid extreme bending, stretching and
twisting.
3. Pace work appropriately.
This should help
4. Provide instruction on proper work practices
5. Rest breaks
6. Enough room
This should help
7. Foot rails / foot rests
8. Seats
9. Anti-fatigue Mats
This should help
11. Allow workers an adjustment period when
they return to work after an absence for
vacation or illness so they can gradually
return to a regular work pace.
12. Exercise
What you should avoid while working
in a standing position
Avoid reaching behind the shoulder line.
Shifting feet to face the object is the
recommended way.
Avoid overreaching beyond the point of
comfort.
Avoid reaching above shoulder line.
 FLOORS
Keep work areas clean.
Avoid standing on concrete or metal floors.
Recommended for standing work are wooden,
cork or rubber covered floors.
Ensure that the floors are level and non-
slippery.
 FLOORS
Cover concrete or metal floors with mats.
Slanted edges on mats help prevent tripping.
Do not use thick foam-rubber mats. Too much
cushioning can cause fatigue and increase the
hazard of tripping.
 TABLES
TYPE OF TASK EXAMPLE HEIGHT OF TABLE

Precision work Writing 5 cm above elbow ht.

electronic assembly

Light work assembly-line 5-10 cm above elbow ht.

mechanical jobs

Heavy work 20-40 cm above elbow ht.

GOOD WORKING POSITIONS (desk)
Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-
line and roughly parallel to the floor.
Head is level, or bent slightly forward, forward
facing, and balanced. Generally it is in-line
with the torso.
Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang
normally at the side of the body.
GOOD WORKING POSITIONS (desk)
Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent
between 90 and 120 degrees.
Feet are fully supported by the floor or a
footrest may be used if the desk height is not
adjustable.
Back is fully supported with appropriate
lumbar support when sitting vertical or
leaning back slightly.
GOOD WORKING POSITIONS (desk)

Thighs and hips are supported by a well-

padded seat and generally parallel to the floor.
Knees are about the same height as the hips
with the feet slightly forward.
Good Working
Positions
DISTANCE HEIGHT
DISTANCE
HEIGHT
SHOES
 FOOTWEAR DOs
Should not change the shape of your foot.
Provide a firm grip for the heel
Allow freedom to move your toes
Should have arch support
 FOOTWEAR DOs
shoes with lace-up fastenings

Tighten the lace instep of your footwear firmly

Use padding under the tongue if you suffer
from tenderness over the bones at the top of
the foot.
 FOOTWEAR DOs
use a shock-absorbing cushioned insole when
working on metal or cement floors
choose footwear according to the hazard at
your workplace.
select footwear taking into account individual
fit and comfort
 FOOTWEAR DONTs
DO NOT wear flat shoes
DO NOT wear shoes with heels higher than 5
cm (2 inches).
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Exercise the spine's major stabilizing muscles:
1. Back extensor
2. Abdominal muscles (the so-called "six pack")
3. Abdominal muscles (the lateral obliques)
 EXERCISE

strong back and abdominal muscles

Mobility and flexibility
Muscle endurance is more protective than mere
strength.
 Stretching

"Cat-Camel" exercises
 Start on your hands and knees with your thighs perpendicular to
the floor
Inhale deeply and slowly with the back straight but relaxed as much
as possible.
Exhale and stretch your back by arching it upwards
(arching cat position), while remaining relaxed; do
not hold your breath
Inhale deeply and slowly and come back to the
starting position
Exhale and stretch your back downwards into a
swayback (camel) position
 Inhale deeply and slowly and come back to the
starting position
Repeat the whole sequence 3 to 7 times.
Back extensor exercises

Birddog" exercise
Abdominal Muscles
Curl Up
Lateral and oblique abdominal, and lumbar
muscles

The Side Bridge

 Exercise
Exercising every day, even if only for 15 -30
minutes, brings the most beneficial effects
Keep the effort and exertion within your own
comfort zone. The phrase "no pain, no gain"
does not apply
Do not exercise shortly after getting out of
bed.
 Exercise
Add to your back exercises by doing a gentle
cardiovascular activity such walking (best),
cycling or swimming.
Avoid exercising with additional weights.
Instead, if you want to increase the intensity,
increase the number of repetitions
Be patient and stick with it. It takes time to
feel the benefits of exercising.
 REMEMBER

Engineering
Administrative
Personal Protective Equipment
YOU