Ergonomics isthe study of workers’ interactionswith ‘theirworking environment. Furniture and equipment placement, lighting, temperature, and sir quality all affect productivity in the workplace. Pearly designed ‘work environmentscan cause injuries which in turn affect absenteeism levels, productivity, hesith Insurance costs, and can even cause last income to both the employee and employer. It isin everybody's best interest to set up the warkplace ergonomically. LL lnjreutes! The most common ergonomic-relsted injuries are musculoskeletal injuries. These types of injuriezsre also. rafetred to 2s repetitive strain injuries and cumulative ‘trauma disorders which are caused by performing the ‘sume task over and over. For example, sitting with your necktwisted because of = poorly placed monitor, keyboarding with dropped wrists, hitting the keyboard hard using a "hunt and peck” style rather than using all your fingers can all cause injuries A quite painful injury, ‘which can take significant timetto heal, iscarpal tunne! ‘syndrome. This is 2 progressive condition caused by compression of a key nervein the wrist. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and the loss of manual desterity. Poor keyboarding technique, particularly dropping the wrists, is@ key contributor to this, Other ergonomic-ralated injuriesinclude eyestrain and headaches, backechas, and chronicneck and shoulder soreness, Dx oe as Ergonomics & Longuovinng Your Wedkonaaion [A good desk and chair are important to an ergonomically correct workstation. Acomputer desk works well with 2 keyboard tray as itwill help achieve the desired 50 degree angle at the elbows, A mattefinished werk surface also helpsto minimize glare. A camputer chaic isthe most important iter, the chair should + hesdjustable so that when youre keyboarding the elbows are comfortably beside your body and bent at 390 degree angle, Feat should befist on theflocr, thighs horizontal ‘+ hrs lumbar support which is adjustable (both height ‘and depth) so each user can get the proper fit to support the inward curve of the lower back * hare 3 backrest which is 12t0 28 inches(30 10 50 em) ida to suppor: the natural curve of the spine and Which can be adjusted Forward and backwards * bepadded in order to be comfortable to ston for extended periodsof time + hare adjustable armrests which allow the user's arms sores comfortably and shouldarsso be relmed * have five wheelsinorderte have good stability.“ &F>) a b Exercises and Other Good Practices These avercisescan help minimize ergonomic injuries ‘and fatigue: © Rest and refeeus your ever periodically (typically ‘every 1Sminutes) to avoid eye fatigue. Try te-link more frequently © Every 1-2 hours, take short 1-2minute stretch or exercize breaks. After each hour of wark, take 5-10 minute break or change tasks. © Suggested stretches and exercises: 1. Hand spreads: Make a tight fist with both hands and hold itfor three seconds The spread your fingers as far as you tan and hold for three seconds. 2. Neck stretchesto the side: Breathe in, turn your neck to either side and bring back tothe normsl position while you breathe out. (5 times) 3. Neck stretchesup and dawn: similarto the previous exercise, but thistime tilt your head up. \a/ and down 4. Shoulder rolls