Transcript GOING BEYOND COMPUTERS Why the interest in computers?    Office workers spend one-third of the workday on the computer. Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are associated with computer.

GOING BEYOND
COMPUTERS
Why the interest in computers?
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Office workers spend one-third
of the workday on the
computer.
Work related musculoskeletal
disorders (WMSDs) are
associated with computer tasks
and workstations.
Good business sense to improve
the environment for morale and
efficiency.
Looking beyond the computer
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Look at the whole workstation, not just the computer
or chair.
Create a positive work environment that includes
working with an adjustable workstation and places
the worker into a neutral position utilizing good
posture.
Posture and neutral position
gets the first look
Look at the seating
The seating should have the following
features:
 Adjustable seat (height and tilt)
 Adjustable backrest (height, angle, and
depth)
 Adjustable arms (height, width, and
angle)
 Comfortable lumbar support
 Waterfall front edge
 Swivel
 Five legs for stability
 Casters designed for the floor surface
(soft, hard, locking, etc.)
 Fabric that breathes
Additional comments on seating
Different sizes and styles
 Fitting the individual worker,
not one size fits all
 Weight load testing on the
chair (250-275 lb. range)
 Fitting the task/work
including the fabric selection
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Working surfaces
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Standard desks from the
fifties
Straight, sharp edges on the
wrists and forearms
Non-adjustable heights
Rounded edges
Non-glare producing
surfaces
Lighting
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Slightly dimmer than
general office lighting by
30 to 50%
Task lighting
Overhead lighting and
avoiding shadowing
Window effects (blinds,
curtains, glass treatments)
Glare
Can be produced by
shiny paint surfaces,
mirrors, glass,
metals, and overhead
lighting in the work
area
 Position work away
from windows and
direct lights
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Temperature and air quality
68 to 72 degrees
 Avoid air blowing
directly on
employees
 Employee-built
vent-deflecting
systems
 Plants and
chemicals
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Noise
Noise from equipment, radios-CDs, coworkers, and other work areas
 Relocate printers and copiers
 Partition use
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“Traffic”
Interruption to work
 Coffeepots and copiers at the central area of
work
 Open work areas encourage “flocking” at
individual work areas
 Employee lounges
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Cord Management
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Cords can be a trip hazard and
an electrical nightmare
Cords should be secured and
away from the feet, walk
spaces, drawers, and sharp
edges.
Good idea to color code or label
cords for easy identification
Shut down electrical
equipment at the end of the
workday.
Files
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Organize work at the desk
File cabinets organized to
have frequent work at
waist-chest level
Infrequent, heavy file loads
in the bottom levels
Lighter loads in the top
drawers
No storage on the top
Work habits
Organize equipment to fit the work process
and needs
 Keep frequently used items close at hand
 Schedule short tasks such as filing between
in-depth computing tasks
 Take breaks & move about
 Do desk exercises
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Desk exercises
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Blink!!! and exercise eye muscles
frequently to avoid eye strain
Head rolls side to side and front to back
Shoulder shrugs
Arms over the head stretching side to
side
Arms over the head stretching
backwards
Stretching legs outward off the floor
Ankle rolls
Seated knee raises
Odds and ends
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Carpet cuts down on noise, but
can contribute to trip and
allergy hazards.
Enclosed darkened work areas
away from windows can be
bad.
Store sharp items such as pens,
scissors, and tacks when not in
use. Always carry scissors
pointing downwards.
Keep trashcans, briefcases,
backpacks, and boxes out of
walk spaces.
More odds and ends
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Plants and personal items can
be good.
Office camaraderie is good.
Management support is great.