ergonomic assessment

Ergonomic Work Assessment : 

Ergonomic Work Assessment Sarah Woodbridge Occupational Therapist / Ergonomist Work Safe Work Fit Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust London Rd, Derby Sarah.Woodbridge@derbyhospitals.nhs.uk

The Patient: 

The Patient Physical Biomechanical loading internal loads physiological responses Internal tolerances Mechanical strain Fatigue

The Patient: 

The Patient Psychological Coping skills Independence Fatigue General Medication

Assessment of the Job: 

Assessment of the Job What does the job entail? Working postures, sitting, crouching, standing etc Physical demands – lifting, pushing, pulling, how much and how often Pace of the work Working alone / group Cognitive / processing skills Responsibility and management

Slide5: 

Ergonomics is the science of work; of the people who do it and the ways it is done; the tools and equipment they use; the places they work in, and the psychological aspects of the working situation. Stephen Pheasant

User-centred Design: 

User-centred Design Fitting the job to the worker Designing the product for the user

Slide7: 

Functional Efficiency Ease of Use Comfort Health and Safety Quality of life

Task Analysis: 

Task Analysis Describes the task How and why it is undertaken what skills and equipment are needed What actions are required and their complexity The time necessary for the task Feedback mechanisms Helps identify likely errors and hazards associated with the task

Aims of Task Analysis: 

Aims of Task Analysis Understand the individual components of work Understand the order and sequence of work Evaluate in isolation or interactively the separate functions of a job Evaluate the information or decision-making requirements of the work.

Critical path analysis: 

Critical path analysis Identifies where the system may potentially break down Error location and avoidance

Methods of Data Collection: 

Methods of Data Collection Worker self report Bioinstrumentation Direct observation

Holistic Approach: 

Holistic Approach Work physiology Biomechanics Work psychology and human factors

Biomechanics: 

Biomechanics The study of movement including; strength range endurance speed accuracy of motion

Biomechanical Analysis of Work : Posture: 

Biomechanical Analysis of Work : Posture End of range postures Constrained postures Compressive forces

Advising on Desk Layout : 

Advising on Desk Layout Compressive forces E.g. sharp edge of the desk, edge of a chair End of range postures, e.g. is the mouse close at hand, or the keyboard is so low the wrists have to be fully extended to use it Heavy workload→ Typist adopts a tense hunched constrained posture that is rarely broken in response to the stress.

Work Height: 

Work Height Major factor in determining posture stooping to reach down to the work elevate the arms to give clearance of the worksurface. Work surface height and work height are not necessarily the same thing If tools are being used the work height will be higher than the surface.

Some General Guidelines: 

Some General Guidelines Change your posture frequently / avoid static postures Avoid forward flexion of the neck and back Try to support the upper limbs Avoid asymmetrical postures Avoid end of range postures Use a supportive seat

Biomechanical Analysis of Work : Force: 

Biomechanical Analysis of Work : Force Fatigue Reduced circulation Recovery time in a work cycle Mechanical stresses

Biomechanical Analysis of Work : Repetition: 

Biomechanical Analysis of Work : Repetition Rate of repetition / speed Intensity Pace of work

Repetition: 

Repetition Number of exertions or movements per unit of time, or the length of time needed to complete the task or group of tasks (cycle time). Cycle times of less than 30 seconds or cycles in which the employee is involved in performing the same motion for more than 50 per cent of the cycle are considered highly repetitive.

Anthropometry: 

Anthropometry The measurement of static and dynamic body dimensions: Height Length Reach Circumference Volume

Reach Envelope: 

Reach Envelope Zone of convenient reach or maximam working area The area encompassed by sweeping your arms in front of the body. It is a 3-Dimensional area. Normal working area The immediate area in front of the body which can be reached without shoulder flexion

Placement of equipment: 

Placement of equipment Importance important items should be accessible Frequency of use the most often used should be the most accessible Function items with similar functions should be grouped together Sequence place items in the order they are used

Individual differences: 

Individual differences Mouse Size Access to keys Keyboard – split or angled Posture Body size Seating Seatpan depth position of lumbar support

Pattern of work: 

Pattern of work Speed Breaks Method of payment Control of workload

Lighting: 

Lighting Glare Reflection Dim Contrast Shadow

Temperature: 

Temperature Inside / outside / controlled atmosphere Dry / damp / humid Air movement Temperature range Heat source Control

Psychological Issues: 

Psychological Issues Emotional stress Management style Isolation Boredom / monotony Lack of social support Too much / little work

Ergonomic Principles: 

Ergonomic Principles User-Centered Anthropometry Biomechanics force posture repetition Comfort Health and Safety Pattern of work

Seating for Desk Work: 

Seating for Desk Work All chairs should swivel and be on castors The chair must be adjustible in height back rest angle backrest height

Seating for Desk Work: 

Seating for Desk Work The seat pan should be wide enough to accommodate the user Slightly concave to prevent sliding Non slip covering Have a padded rounded front

Seating for Desk Work: 

Seating for Desk Work Armrests if present should not collide with the desk preferable be padded Footrest provided if necessary

Enjoy your ERGONOMICS !: 

Enjoy your ERGONOMICS !