Transcript How to Achieve an Ergonomic Computer Workstation

How to Achieve an Ergonomic
Computer Workstation
58th Annual Governor’s Industrial
Safety & Health Conference
October 7-8, 2009
Presenters
• Jeannette Murphy, OTR/L, CEA
– Ergonomist, Injury Prevention Specialist
– St. Luke’s Rehabilitation, Spokane WA
• Leslie Pickett, PT
– Ergonomics and Injury Prevention Specialist
– Swedish Medical Center, Seattle WA
• Lynn LaSalle, MOT
– Ergonomist, Ergonomic Coordinator
– MultiCare Health System (MHS), Tacoma WA
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Participants will…
• Understand the ANSI/HFES 100-2007 human
factors standards for creating an ergonomic
computer workstation.
• Understand some of the challenges and
solutions for using computers in the hospital
setting
• Understand some of the challenges and
solutions facing mobile laptop users.
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ANSI/HFES 100-2007: Human Factors
Engineering of Computer Workstations
• Purpose
– To specify acceptable applications of human factors
engineering principles and practices to the design and
configuration of the human-hardware interfaces in
computer workstations.
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ANSI/HFES 100-2007
• Application
– For computer workstations used regularly in
office workplaces by users with normal
perceptual and cognitive capabilities
– Moderate to intensive computer users
– Not intended for beyond the office workplace
application
– Generalizations to other applications exceed
the scope of this standard.
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ANSI/HFES 100-2007
• Scope
– Applies to computer workstations for a wide range of
users
– In general the physical dimensions and force
requirements are designed to accommodate at least
90 percent of the North American population
• User Diversity
– Design is not intended to accommodate all users due
to the very nature of diversity
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ANSI/HFES 100-2007
• Guiding Principles
– Enhance workstation usability by improving ease of
use and ease of learning
– Facilitate user performance by encouraging task
proficiency and error recovery
– Accommodate users of various physical sizes and
expertise levels
– Maintain user performance by allowing postural
changes that minimize static loads
– Promote user satisfaction by fostering product
acceptance and product usage
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ANSI/HFES 100-2007
• Limitations
– Not intended for transient computer work situations (e.g., using a
laptop computer during airplane travel) or to workstations
specially configured for individuals with physical or cognitive
disabilities
– Use of a portable device in an office setting, such as a laptop
computer in a docking station, is not an example of transient
computer work.
– This standard does not apply to operator health considerations
or work practices
• Focus is to support operator performance through attention to the
design aspects of the computer hardware and environment
interfaces.
• No implications are made that conformance to this standard
produces health-related outcomes.
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This standard recognized that VDT users frequently change
their working postures to maintain comfort and productivity.
Four reference postures are used in this standard to represent
a range of postures observed at computer workstations.
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The Comfortable Work Space
Based on ANSI/HFES 100-2007 Standards
Human Factors Engineering of Computer Workstation
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Recommended Postures
Shoulder
abduction
Elbow reference
Wrist
flexion
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Recommended Postures
Shoulder flexion
Torso to thigh reference
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Checklist for Workstation Assessment
Name_____________________________________________________ Date__________________________
This checklist is intended to provide you with basic information so that you can check the current set up of your furniture and
equipment. It may help to reduce your risk of repetitive strain injury from working at a computer.
The first column describes the recommended posture, set up, or work practice. Place a check mark in the “yes” column if you have or
do what is listed, and in the “no” column if you do not. If you check “no”, take the action listed in the last column.
Preferred Posture/Set Up/Work Practice
1. CHAIR
a. Elbows at 90o and forearms parallel to floor
when using keyboard
b. Thighs parallel to floor
c. Feet flat on floor and ankles at 90o
d. Adequate back support
e. Shoulders relaxed and level
f. Two inch space between back of knee and
front edge of seat pan
2. DESK
a. Seated elbow height equals desk height
b. Adequate space:
- items used most often should be within
an arm length or envelope of reach
- items used less frequently can be placed
outside of the envelope of reach
c. Minimal reaching above shoulder
d. Minimal reaching below shoulder
3. KEYBOARD POSTURE
a. Relaxed arm position during keyboarding
(elbows at 90o; forearms parallel to floor)
b. Wrists not flexed nor extended
c. Wrists not bent to either side (i.e., no side
deviation)
d. Relaxed fingers and hands
f. Eliminate slouching of upper body
Yes
No
If No, Action Required
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Raise or lower chair
Raise or lower workstation height
Raise or lower keyboard height
Add/subtract footrest
Add/subtract footrest
Limit shoe heel height
Adjust chair back
Obtain proper chair
Obtain lumbar roll
Adjust or eliminate armrests
Use foot rest
Obtain chair with shorter or adjustable seat pan
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Raise/lower chair
Raise/lower desk height
Organize desk surface
Remove clutter on and under desk
Arrange other furniture and equipment (e.g., cabinets,
printers) to minimize body twisting
Arrange or eliminate furniture and equipment to create
adequate space
Stand to reach overhead items
Place frequently used items on desk within easy reach
Raise items
Use proper body mechanics
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Recheck chair height and raise or lower, as needed
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Lower or remove keyboard tilt
Recheck chair height and raise or lower, as needed
Obtain wrist rest to prevent resting palms or wrists on the
edge of desk.
Review typing skills and habits
Adjust keyboard position to minimize deviation
Obtain different keyboard (e.g., split)
Use light touch
Perform relaxation exercises
Move closer to keyboard
Sit up straight
Perform different activity (i.e., mini break)
Take scheduled breaks
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4. MOUSE
a. Position of mouse allows for arm at side (i.e.,
arm not extended)
b. Wrists in neutral posture (i.e., no flexion,
extension, nor side deviation)
c. Unrestricted arm motion used when using
mouse
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5. MONITOR AND DOCUMENT HOLDER
a. Head in neutral position
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Raise or lower monitor (Top of viewing area should be at
or slightly below eye level unless screen is viewed
through lower part of glasses [bifocals] and neck is
extended, then monitor should be lower.)
Orient monitor directly in front of body
Use document holder
Place document holder right beside monitor and at same
height as viewing screen
Adjust distance of monitor
Sit back in the chair and adjust posture
Sit close to the desk and keep your back supported by the
backrest at all times
Raise or lower the chair backrest
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Adjust monitor and/or document holder distance
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Adjust monitor and/or document holder
Obtain different document holder
Tilt monitor slightly downward
Adjust monitor brightness
Close window coverings
Obtain anti-glare screen or hood
Contact Facilities Management for lighting assessment or
to decrease overhead lighting
Ideally, the window should be at the side of the monitor
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b. Monitor at arm’s length
c. Upper torso relaxed against chair backrest
d. Document holder and monitor are equal
distance from eyes
e. Document holder and monitor are at the same
height
f. Glare minimized
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6. TELEPHONE
a. Neck centered and in neutral position
b. Telephone within easy reach
7. WORK AND PERSONAL HABITS
a. Visual rest every 20 minutes
b. Hourly stretch break
c. Alternate tasks once per hour
c. Personal habits
Move chair closer to work surface
Place mouse close to keyboard and at same level (If
necessary, obtain longer keyboard tray)
Recheck mouse placement (i.e., close to keyboard and at
same level)
Recheck desk height
Adjust height of arm rests so that proper arm position and
movement are not impeded
If unable to adjust, armrests are in the way, and arm
support is not needed, remove armrests
If added support is needed, obtain armrest(s)
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Checklist adapted from: Office Ergonomics (1999), WCB Alberta
Revised: September 2008
Adjust posture
Hold handset with hand (i.e., no cradling between head
and shoulder)
Obtain headset if required
Move telephone closer to eliminate reaching
Perform eye exercises (see provided Eye exercise sheet)
Pace work activities
Take scheduled breaks
Perform office exercises 4 times per shift (see provided
Exercise sheet)
Vary work activities
Reorganize or modify job to add task variety
Get adequate rest
Keep fit
Eat healthy
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