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Ergonomics

safety logoIf already injured see Judy, x249.
How you are, what you are doing, how long you do it,
and how frequently you do it, are balanced by rest and recovery.
 

Definition: The study of the relationship between PEOPLE, ENVIROMENT & WORK.

graphic of proper ergo fit
Proper alignment to your workstation

STANFORD EH&S ERGONOMICS WEB SITE
Ergonomics training through AXESS | STARS:
Ergonomics- Computer Workstation : EHS-3400
This course is required of all Stanford Employees and their supervisors

The following is a condensed version of the above web site with local names and numbers of people who can help you.

More Info:
labergo.pdf, labrem.pdf, laptopergo.pdf, pcshort.pdf, macshort.pdf, offrem.pdf

If you are concerned and want to know if everything is all right BEFORE you become injured read on.

If you are working at a computer workstation:

  1. Print out this ergoeval.pdf

  2. Go to your workstation and fill out the form. See Graphic to right.

  3. If any of the areas are of concern, see Judy, x56249 for help and further instructions

  4. If all the boxes were checked as OK, look for another cause of your discomfort.

  5. Consider using a program/app to remind you when to take a break.

  6. Lastly, monitors have improved tremendously over the years, but it is still a good idea to watch out for glare, especially from windows and overhead lights.

 

ERGONOMICS is really very straight forward and easy to understand.

 

factors to balance for good ergonomics

Do whatever you can to lighten the load on the left, and balance the load with Rest & Recovery on the right. This equation works in all ergonomic situations, not just computer work.

See also BACK SAFETY

From Safety + Health Feb 2018, Tool SIze:

"In a normal workday, you may work with these tools for six or more hours," the website states. "Using the right size handle can reduce fatigue and increase productivity, improve the quality of your work, and reduce the risk for hand and wrist problems."

Determining your hand size

Before using a hand tool, perform a few measurements to help you select the tools that are the right size for you.

Start by determining your hand’s length, grip and palm size. To find out the length of your hand, measure the distance from the fold in your wrist below your palm to the tip of your middle finger. For grip, 20 percent of your hand length equals your grip diameter, CPWR states. For palm size, measure the widest part of your palm. Once you’ve figured out these measurements, it’s time to put them to good use.

Picking a tool

When picking a hand tool, measure its length. Whenever possible, select a tool with a handle length longer than your palm size, CPWR advises, as a handle that’s too short "may cut into the base of your hand and cause discomfort and possible injury."

When considering grip size, you want the tool to match or be as close to your own grip size as possible. If that doesn’t work, you can modify the tool’s grip: If it’s too small, add a sleeve or cushion made out of duct tape to make the handle bigger. If it’s too big, try sanding the handle to a smaller diameter.

Additionally, CPWR recommends keeping the tool’s weight in mind, as "choosing the lightest-weight version of a tool may reduce the amount of effort and force needed to perform a task and reduce hand and wrist fatigue."