ERGONOMIC HAZARDS AT THE

WORKPLACE

Liem Jen Fuk

liem.jf@prodiaohi.co.id
Ergonomics
Overview
Ergonomics
Ergonomics:
“the science and the art of fitting the job
and the workplace to workers’ needs.”

Use your brain, not your back.

Work smarter, not harder.
Fix the job, not the worker.
Pic source: www.flatpanels.dk
Ergonomic Hazards
• Forceful exertion
• Repetitive movement
• Awkward posture
• Static posture
• Prolonged VDT work
Lack of ergonomic approach

Health problems  WMSDs

Increased risk of accident

Decreased productivity
 WMSDs fact sheet (*)
In US:
• 70 million doctor’s visit & 130 million visit to health institution

• The most contributors to lost-time injury & illness @ the

workplace
• One of the most costly occupational disease(s) / injuries:
• $12.000 / case

• Cost for operation: average $43.000

• Compensation: $ 45 - $ 60 mil / year

• Occurs in every workplace

• Decrease productivity, product & service quality

* Materi pelatihan Diagnosis PAK – DirBinkesja / Perdoki 2011 – Based on dr.Erna Tresnaningsih
Risk factors
• Forceful exertion
• Awkward posture
• Repetitive movement
• Manual handling  any transporting or supporting of a
load by hand or bodily force
• Lifting, Pulling, Pushing, Carrying/moving, Putting down
• Static posture
• Vibration & contact stress
Contributing risk factors
• Frequency
• Duration
• Shift work
• Psychosocial stress
• Working environment
• Individual factors
• Physical activity
• Smoking
• Medical conditions
Forceful exertion
• Pinching
• Grasping
• Writing
• Stapling
Repetition
• Typing
• Mousing
• Screwing
• etc
Static posture
• Prolonged sitting
• Prolonged standing
• Back / arm unsupported
Awkward posture
• Bend
• Rotate
• Over flexion
• Over extension
• Extended reach
• Poor body mechanic
Slouching over a computer
Propping a phone
on shoulder

Shortened
muscles
compress nerve

Can cause neck pain and

shoulder pain, both sides.
Office Work
Be cautious of twisting and bending, don’t
reach for items. Stand up and use good
body mechanics.
 Working with VDT

Contact stress on Extended reach  + No back support, no

wrist  Discomfort Discomfort of the upper arm rest, unable to sit
of the wrist and arm and shoulder back in chair  Causing
upper arm neck and shoulder strain
Manual handling
Ergonomics
Management
 Holistic approach
• Management commitment & Employee participation
• Hazard identification & baseline data
• Workplace hazard identification
• Worker’s health identification
• Health problem management
• Risk assessment
• Risk control
• Engineering control
• Administrative control & work practice
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Record keeping
• Evaluation
Health Problem Management
• Basic principles:
• Health promotion & disease prevention
• Early diagnosis & prompt treatment
• Accurate reporting of symptoms by the
employee
• Adequate recognition by SPV and or medical
staff
• Rest at early stages and gentle return to work
MSDs prevention
• Principles:
• Working in neutral position
• Control the occupational hazard
• Control the modifiable risks
• Taking breaks
Administrative control
• Work rotation
• Alternate tasks
• Breaks/Micro breaks – 20/20/20 rule
• Reduce injuries, won’t decrease productivity
• Do this after 20 minutes work with VDU
• Can be as short as 20 seconds
• Focus on an object 20 feet away
• Not required to stop work, can change task
• Stretching every 2 hours work
• Hazard communication
• Arranging the workplace
• Work practice & training  work in neutral position
• Lifting technique
• Work methods / techniques
Correct Posture
Keep your body in neutral position
 Office ergonomic handbook.
Available at: http://www.knoll.com/products/brochures/ErgonomicsGuide.pdf
Stretching in the office

Available at: http://www.eyeprotectorpro.com/stretches/

 Safe lifting technique

• Keep the load close

• Avoid lifting from the floor
• Plan ahead
• Get help when you need it
Conclusion
• Ergonomic hazard is one of the main hazard in the
workplace
• Lack of ergonomic approach in the workplace will result in
work related musculoskeletal disorders
• Work related musculoskeletal disorders are 100%
preventable and manageable
Hidup Sehat, Kerja Produktif,
Bebas Penyakit Akibat Kerja
 TERIMA KASIH
&
SEMOGA BERMANFAAT