HSE at work: The best information of Ergonomics

Ergonomics

What Is Ergonomics

* Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job to the worker. When there is a mismatch between the physical requirements of the job and the physical capacity of the worker, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) can result.

Unsafe Situations

Repetitive tasks
Improper posture
Improper lifting
Poor tool design
Poor lighting and glare
Noise
Temperature extremes.

Twelve Principles Of Ergonomics

1- Keep everything in easy reach
2- Work at proper heights
3- Reduce excessive force
4- Work in good postures
5- Reduce excessive repetition
6- Minimize fatigue

Continued

7- Minimize direct pressure
8- Provide adjustability and change posture
9- Provide clearance and access
10- Maintain a comfortable environment
11- Enhance clarity and understanding
12- Improve work organization

1- Keep Everything in Easy Reach

Keep products, parts, and tools that are frequently needed within easy reach.
Long reaches often cause you to twist, bend, and strain which in turn makes work more difficult.

Easy Reach

Work At Proper Heights

A common workplace problem is a mismatch in heights between employees and the work that they are doing.
This leads to a poor postures and unnecessary work.

Proper Heights

3- Reduce Excessive Forces

Excessive forces load the muscles, creating a potential for fatigue and injury.
Power grips are less stressful than pinch grip.
Use tool grips that are neither too wide nor too small.

Reduce Excessive Forces

4- Work In Good Posture

Use tools, equipment, and workstation layouts that allow you to work in the best possible posture.
Good posture reduces the stress on your body and makes it easier for doing the job.

Work In Good Posture

5- Reduce Excessive Repetition

Minimizing the number of motions required to do a task reduce the wear and tear on your body.
Allow machines to do repetition for you.

Reduce Excessive Repetition

6- Minimize Fatigue

Overloading your physical and mental capabilities can contribute to injuries, accidents, poor quality
Good design of your jobs can help prevent undesirable fatigue.

7- Minimize Direct Pressure

Direct pressure is uncomfortable.
It can inhibit nerve function and blood flow.
It commonly affects :
Palm of the hands
Forearms
Thighs

Minimize Direct Pressure

8- Provide Adjustability and Change of Posture

Adjustability makes it easier to customize your workstation to fit your needs.
Maintain better heights and reaches and to avoid pressure points and awkward postures.

Continued

9- Provide Clearance and Access

It is important that you have both adequate workspace and easy access to everything you need.
Clearance is needed for your: Head, Arms, Feet, Knees, Torso.

Clearance and Access

10- Maintain a Comfortable Environment

Seek to create surrounding conditions that enhance your ability to get the job done.
Appropriate Lighting
Avoid Temperature Extremes
Isolate Vibration

Comfortable Environment

11- Enhance Clarity and Understanding

Mistakes and errors may result from poor design of the displays and controls you use.
The configuration and layout of these displays and controls can enhance or hinder your performance.

12- Improve Work Organization

Improvements can be made in the system which your work is organized.
Plan, Be involved, Communicate, Enlarge jobs, Be part of the team, Be considerate.

Cumulative Trauma

One of the important goals of ergonomics is to prevent a type of disorder called “cumulative Trauma”
Wear and tear on the tissue surrounding your joints.

Symptoms of CTD

Limited range of motion
Stillness in joints
Numbness or tingling sensations
Popping and cracking in the joints
Redness, swelling, and local skin warmth
Weakness and clumsiness
“Burning” sensations