Ergonomics

By
Dr. Faryal Shaikh
MBBS,MPH
Senior Lecturer, FRPMC
Learning Objectives :
By the end of session, students will be able to :
• Define Ergonomics and describe its types
• Discuss the significance of ergonomics
• State and discuss occupational hazards
• Delineate ergonomic model and characteristics of human
machine interface
• State the principles of effective workplace layout
• Describe the hierarchy of ergonomic control and methods for
prevention of work related Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
• Discuss measures for health protection of workers
 Ergonomics :

• It is the process of designing or

arranging workplaces, products
and systems so that they fit the
people who use them

• The term ergonomics is

derived from the Greek
words
• Ergon: Work
• Nomos: Laws
 Types of Ergonomics :
• Physical :
It is concerned with human anatomical, anthropometric,
physiological and biomechanical characteristics as they relate to
physical activity.
• Cognitive:
Concerned with mental processes, such as perception, memory,
reasoning, and motor response, as they affect interactions
among humans and other elements of a system.
• Organizational:
Concerned with the optimization of sociotechnical systems,
including their organizational structures, policies, and processes.
 Occupational Hazards :
• Physical Hazards
• Chemical Hazards
• Biological Hazards
• Mechanical Hazards
• Psychosocial Hazards
Factors that increase the risk of injury arising from poor ergonomics :

• Awkward postures
• Work stations, plant and equipment which are inadequately
designed or adjusted for the employee
• Poor working environment
• Poor design of tasks
• Poor work organization
• Inappropriate arrangement of jobs with the same repetitive
nature
• Repetitive tasks without scheduled breaks or a period of
adjustment after an absence from work.
 Benefits of Ergonomics :

• Lower costs
• Higher productivity
• Better product quality
• Improved employee engagement
• Better safety culture
 Ergonomics as a discipline:

• Anthropometry
• Biomechanics
• Mechanical engineering
• Industrial engineering
• Industrial design
• Information design
• Kinesiology
• Physiology
• Psychology
Ref : International Ergonomics Association
 Significance of Ergonomics:

• Good ergonomic design removes incompatibilities between

the work and the worker and creates the optimal work
environment.
• It plays an important role in assessment of work and human
capabilities to ensure that the person-job interface is safe,
productive and efficient
• To prevent soft tissue injuries and WRMSDs
 When is the work likely to result in an
injury?

• When it is performed frequently

• When it is performed for a long period of time
• When the work is intense
• When there is a combination of several risk factors
The Ergonomics Model

Person

Task
Workstation
& Tools

Environment

Organisation
 Ergonomics Model :

• Level 1:
The person and their ability, skills, knowledge, perceptions
and limitations
• Level 2:
Equipment being used including the work station, hand
tools, computer, raw material
• Level 3:
The environment within which the activity occurs, including
lightening, noise, thermal conditions
• Level 4:
The organizational context which includes policy procedures,
administrative controls, job design
 Human – Machine Interface :

• The human and the machine have a reciprocal relationship

• The machine is capable of high speed & precision
• The human is flexible and adaptable
• The human and the machine can combine to form a very
productive system, if characteristics are sensibly allocated
 Characteristics of the human machine
interface :
• Manual systems – hand tools where the human provides
the physical energy as power source
• Mechanical systems – powered machines and operator
controls the process
• Automatic systems – the system performs the
operational functions with minimal human assistance.
Human monitors, supplies and maintains the system

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 Principles of effective workplace layout :

• Importance - most important items should be in most

accessible location
• Frequency of use - most frequently used items in most
accessible location
• Function - items concerned with closely related functions
should be grouped together
• Sequence of use - items commonly used in sequence grouped
and laid out so compatible with sequence
 Costs of ignoring ergonomics :

• Lower production output

• Higher injury rates, medical / compensation costs
• Low quality work
• Increased absenteeism
• Increased risk of accidents and errors
• Less spare capacity for emergencies or contingencies
• Higher rework rates and material costs
 Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) :
• These are the disorders when the event or exposure leading
to the case is a bodily reaction, overexertion or repetitive
motion
• Do not include disorders caused by slips, trips, falls or similar
incidents
• Symptoms include:
 Discomfort ,Pain ,Numbness ,Loss of motion/flexibility,
Spasticity Stiff joints ,Burning , Swelling, Tingling,
Inflammation etc.

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 Work-Related Musculoskeletal
Disorders (WRMSD):
• WRMSD are conditions in which :
• The work environment and performance of work contribute significantly to
the condition
• The condition is made worst or persists longer due to work conditions
• Occur when the physical capabilities of the worker do not match the physical
requirements of the job.

1
 Work-Related Musculoskeletal
Disorders :
• Common MSK disorders:

– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (compression of median nerve)

– Tennis Elbow (forearm muscles damage from overuse)
– Bursitis (inflammation of bursa)
– Sciatica (pain involving sciatic nerve)
– Neck/Back strain
– Tendinitis (inflammation of tendons)
– Raynaud’s Syndrome (numbness and cold feeling in fingers
and toes e.g. in those using vibrating tools)
–Trigger Finger (fingers get stuck in a bent position due to
repetitive movements)

1
 Backrest
Low cost measures for the tilt 93-
113°

offi ce
• Adjust your computer 16-
29”
15°
workstation to fit your body.
• Adjust your
chair before Height
of

starting your backres

t 15-

shift and again

3-6”
20”

after lunch. 25-

Your body 30”

to

changes floor

throughout the
day and so
should your Sturdy

environment.
• Arrange your workstation so that items you frequently use
5-prong
base

are within close reach.

• Use books to raise your computer monitor if necessary so
you’re looking at the top third of the screen.
• Place a pillow behind your back to create lumbar support if
the back on your work chair won’t adjust.

• Place the document

holder right next to
the monitor so only
your eyes move and
not your
• Avoid head.the
holding
phone with your neck.
Awkward This places a lot of
position stress on your neck
• muscles.
Tape gauze around
your pen to reduce
your gripping
pressure.
• Move your computer
monitor away from
the window or tape
cardboard around
Natural it to reduce the glare,
position which can lead to
eyestrain.
 Ergonomic Solutions
STRESSED
BETTER
Bent awkward Relaxed posture with
posture less pressure on the
back

Bent Extension handle

posture allows for natural
posture

Seat is too small and Higher back seat with

provides minimal lumbar support and
support more support under legs

Manual screw Powered in-line screw

driver with bent driver allows for
wrist straight wrist

No neck support or Creeper gets worker

padding under body off floor and
provides neck and
shoulders support

Bent posture Tilt table brings

and extended work within
reach reach
Hierarchy of Ergonomic control :
 Prevention/control methods for
MSDs :
To reduce the chance of injury, work tasks should be
designed to limit exposure to ergonomic risk factors

• Engineering Controls :
To implement physical change to the workplace, which
eliminates/reduces the hazard on the job/task
Examples :
• Use a device to lift and reposition heavy objects to limit
force exertion
• Reposition a work table to eliminate a long/excessive
reach and enable working in neutral postures
• Install diverters to direct materials toward the worker to
eliminate excessive leaning or reaching
9
•
Example of an engineering control:
mechanical devices that lift and tilt to adjust
materials for easier handling

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 Prevention/ control methods for
MSDs :
• Administrative and Work Practice Controls :
(To establish efficient processes or procedures)
Examples :
• Require that heavy loads are only lifted by two people to
limit force exertion
• Establish systems so workers are rotated away from tasks to
minimize the duration of continual exertion, repetitive
motions, and awkward postures.
• Design a job rotation system in which employees rotate
between jobs that use different muscle groups
• Staff to provide periodic cover between
scheduled breaks

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 Prevention/control methods for
MSDs :
• Personal Protective Equipment :
Use protection to reduce exposure to ergonomics-related
risk factors
Examples :
• Use padding to reduce direct contact with hard, sharp,
or vibrating surfaces
• Wear good fitting thermal gloves to help with cold
conditions while maintaining the ability to grasp items easily

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 Measures for Health Protection of
Workers :
• Nutrition
• Communicable disease control
• Environmental sanitation
• Mental Health
• Measures for women and children
• Health education
 Exercise :
Q.1 Which of the following is the preferred method for controlling
ergonomics hazards ?

a. Administrative
b. Engineering
c. Periodical examination
d. Personal Protective equipment
 References :

• Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine 25th edition

• Occupational safety and health administration
Available at : osha.gov/ergonomics/control-hazards
• International Ergonomics association
• https://ergo-plus.com/ergonomics-definition-domains-