DUW10022 /

DUW10012

CHAPTER 6:
WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT AND ERGONOMICS
PART 1
LEARNING OUTCOME:

At the end of the session,

student should be able to:
Explain the workplace
environment
Show workplace health
Illustrate workplace ergonomics
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INTRODUCTION TO ERGONOMICS

 Ergonomics is the combination of two Greek words; ergon which

means work and “nomos” which means laws.
 This word is being used to describe the science of designing the
job.
 All aspects from physical to environmental factors are covered in
the ergonomics.

nerves, joints, hearing, vision

muscles, tendons and general
and bones health

 The study of relationship between people and their workplace

comes under ergonomics.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

INTRODUCTION TO ERGONOMICS

 The jobs of workers are matched according to their

needs and abilities under ergonomics.
 With the concept of ergonomic this method was
improved.
 Method of Scientific Management was used to improve
the efficiency of work.
 How it was improved? – Only due to the development
of the tools which the worker were using and this
method became very popular.
 Ergonomics contains the knowledge of doing work in
well organized, healthy and efficient manner.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

INTRODUCTION TO ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics is the science of designing the

workplace environment to fit the user. Proper
ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive
strain injuries, which can develop over time and can
lead to long-term disability.

“Wikipedia”
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

INTRODUCTION TO ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline

concerned with the understanding of interactions
among humans and other elements of a system, and
the profession that applies theory, principles, data and
methods to design in order to optimize human well-
being and overall system performance.

“International Ergonomics Association”

W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT

Figure 1 – Workplace factors affecting employee performance

W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT

4 ELEMENTS IN WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT

indoor air quality
lighting and sightedness
temperature and humidity
noise and hearing quality
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INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Air Pollutants May Affect the Respiratory System

and Cardiovascular System
 The individual reactions to air pollutants vary
depending on the type of agent to which people are
exposed, the degree of exposure and health
conditions, and genetic factor of the person.
 Air pollutants can cause variety of effects on health,
ranging from biochemical and physiological changes
to breathing difficulties, cough, and aggravation of
respiratory and cardiac disorders.
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INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Effects of air pollution on human Respiratory System

 The respiratory system is particularly sensitive to air
pollutants because it is made up of a mucous membrane
covering its internal surface.
 The cells of the lung tissue can be damaged by air
pollutants such as ozone, metals and free radicals
 More specifically, the airway tissues, which contain a large
number of bioactivation enzymes, can transform organic
pollutants into reactive metabolites, which can cause lung
injuries, neurobehavioral disorders, and cancers possibly
including breast cancer.
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INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Effects of air pollution on human Cardiovascular

System
 A wide range of chemical and biological substances
can directly affect the cardiovascular system and
lead to structural damages, such as necrosis
degenerative and inflammatory reactions.
 Produce negative effects on the cardio-vascular,
including the reduction of the mechanical
performance and metabolic efficiency of the heart
and blood vessels.
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LIGHTING AND SIGHTEDNESS

Measuring Light Intensity:- (Lighting Terminology)

 Lumen
Unit of total light output from a light source.
Typical indoor lamps have light outputs ranging from 50 to 10,000
lumens.

Footcandles and Lux

indicate the density of light that falls on a surface.
average indoor lighting ranges from 100 to 1,000 lux, and average
outdoor sunlight is about 50,000 lux.

Candlepower - measure of lighting concentration in a light beam.

Brightness - expression of the amount of light emitted from a

surface per unit of area.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT

NOISE AND HEARING QUALITY

 play the noise meter

WORKPLACE HEALTH
 No workplace is totally safe all the time. Some workplaces present
countless risks.

 Controlling potential risk at work is about recognizing the problem,

sufficiently knowing the issue, deciding the actions and turning the
solution into practice

 Work place health risks:

 Segmental Vibration
 Heat stress
 Cold stress
 Whole body vibration
Segmental Vibration

 Affects an organ, part or section of the body.

 Most exposure affect the hands and arms
 E.g: Operator of chain saw, chipping equipment, jack
hammers, jack leg drill, grinders and othe job involve hand
held vibrating tools
Heat Stress

 Heat stress occurs when the body cannot get rid of excess
heat. When this happens, the body's core temperature rises
and the heart rate increases

 As the body continues to store heat, the person begins to lose

concentration and has difficulty focusing on a task, may
become irritable or sick, and often loses the desire to drink. The
next stage is most often fainting and even death if the person
is not cooled down.

 Factors that contribute to heat stress are high air temperatures,

radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact
with hot objects, and strenuous physical activities.
Cold Stress

 When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose

heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold
will eventually use up your body’s stored energy

 The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. A

body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the
victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes
hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not
know it is happening and will not be able to do anything about it.

 Early Symptoms (shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination, confusion

and disorientation)

 Late Symptoms (no shivering, blue skin, dilated pupils, slowed pulse
and breathing, loss of consciousness)
Whole Body Vibration (WBV)

 Any vibration of any frequency is transferred to the human

body.
 Eg: Continous exposure to WBV especially to large large shocks
and jolts is a back pain health risk for employees who drive
mobile machines over poor surfaces.
 May affect the human body and linked to lower back pain.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKSTATION DESIGN PRINCIPLE

General Workstation Design Principles
 Make the workstation adjustable, enabling both large and
small persons to fit comfortably and reach materials easily.
 Locate all materials and tools in front of the worker to
reduce twisting motions. Provide sufficient work space for
the whole body to turn.
 Avoid static loads, fixed work postures, and job
requirements in which operators must frequently or for long
periods.
 lean to the front or the side,
 hold a limb in a bent or extended position,
 tilt the head forward more than 15 degrees, or
 support the body’s weight with one leg.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKSTATION DESIGN PRINCIPLE

General Workstation Design Principles
 Set the work surface above elbow height for tasks involving
fine visual details and below elbow height for tasks
requiring downward forces and heavy physical effort.
 Provide adjustable, properly designed chairs with the
following features:-
 adjustable seat height,
 adjustable up and down back rest, including a lumbar
(lower-back) support
 padding that will not compress more than an inch
under the weight of a seated individual
• A chair that is stable to floor at all times (5-leg base)
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKSTATION DESIGN PRINCIPLE

General Workstation Design Principles
 Allow the workers, at their discretion, to alternate
between sitting and standing. Provide floor mats or
padded surfaces for prolonged standing.
 Support the limbs: provide elbow, wrist, arm, foot, and
back rests as needed and feasible.
 Use gravity to move materials.
 Design the workstation so that arm movements are
continuous and curved. Avoid straight-line, jerking
arm motions.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKSTATION DESIGN PRINCIPLE

General Workstation Design Principles
 Design so arm movements pivot about the elbow rather than
around the shoulder to avoid stress on shoulder, neck, and
upper back.
 Design the primary work area so that arm movements or
extensions of more than 15 in. are minimized.
 Provide dials and displays that are simple, logical, and easy to
read, reach, and operate.
 Eliminate or minimize the effects of undesirable environmental
conditions such as excessive noise, heat, humidity, cold, and
poor illumination.
*Adapted from design checklists developed by Dave Ridyard, CPE, CIH,
CSP. Applied Ergonomics Technology, 270 Mather Road, Jenkintown, PA
19046-3129.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKSTATION DESIGN PRINCIPLE

Risky Actions & Position Examples
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKSTATION DESIGN PRINCIPLE

Risky Actions & Position Examples
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

WORKSTATION DESIGN PRINCIPLE

Risky Actions & Position Examples
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

12 ERGONOMICS PRINCIPLES
1. Keep everything within easy reach
2. Work at proper height
3. Reduce excessive force
4. Work in good posture
5. Reduce excessive repetition
6. Minimize fatigue
7. Minimize direct pressure
8. Provide adjustability and change of posture
9. Provide clearance and access
10. Maintain a comfortable environment
11. Enhance clarity and understanding
12. Improve work organization
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK
Ergonomic Risk Assessment
 A risk assessment is defined as a careful
examination of potential hazardous factors that
could cause harm to people in the workplace.

Why the need to do a MSD Risk Assessment?

 Doing a risk assessment will help employers
identify the significant risks in their workplace, and
prevent Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) from
developing.
 A good risk assessment for occupational health
will help avoid accidents and computer injuries.
These injuries affect job satisfaction, company
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK

Why the need to do a MSD Risk Assessment?

 They also affect the bottom lines of companies as
these computer injuries lead to higher employee
turnover, compensation claims and higher
insurance premiums.
 An ergonomic risk assessment can be as
straightforward as ensuring no one slips and falls
down the stairs, or that wires are carefully tucked
away, avoiding tripping someone or getting an
employee electrocuted.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

What are CTDs?

CUMULATIVE TRAUMA
DISORDERS
 They are injuries to muscles,
tendons and nerves, which
affect certain parts of the
body such as hands, wrists,
elbows, shoulders, neck, back
and knees.
 Workers experience pain and
difficulty when work requires
use of the injured part.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

What are MSDs?

MUSCULOSKELETAL
DISORDERS
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are
among the most common disorders to be considered
in designing workcells and work stations.
Here are the most common WMSDs, symptoms and risk
factors.
Other Terms for WMSD
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Cumulative trauma disorders
• Overuse syndrome
• Soft tissue disorders
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK
Disorders Occupational risk Symptoms
factors
Repetitive wrist motions
Repetitive shoulder Pain, weakness,
motions swelling, burning
Tendonitis/tenosynovitis Sustained hyper sensation or dull
extension of arms ache over
Prolonged load on affected area
shoulders

Repeated or forceful
Epicondylitis (elbow rotation of the forearm Same symptoms
tendonitis) and bending of the wrist as tendonitis
at the same time
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK
Disorders Occupational risk Symptoms
factors

Pain, numbness,
tingling, burning
Carpal tunnel syndrome Repetitive wrist motions sensations, wasting
of muscles at base
of thumb, dry palm

Repetitive hand twisting Pain at the base of

DeQuervain's disease
and forceful gripping thumb
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK
Disorders Occupational risk Symptoms
factors

Prolonged shoulder
flexion
Pain, numbness,
Extending arms above
Thoracic outlet syndrome swelling of the
shoulder height
hands
Carrying loads on the
shoulder

Prolonged restricted
Tension neck syndrome Pain
posture
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK
Five Steps You Can Take To Perform your Own
Risk Assessment.
Step 1: Identify the Hazards
 A hazard is anything that can cause harm - glare, chemicals, weight, sharp
edges etc.
 Ask yourself these questions:
- Are there too many boxes, or things in the common areas which might cause
someone to trip?
- Are your wires carefully tucked away? Are there too many electrical appliances
connected to one socket?
- Is it time to clear the clutter? Are files and documents taking up space on the
desk, under the desk causing your employees to work in a cramped condition? It
could also be a fire hazard.
- Are your monitors at ergonomic eye level? Do the work chairs have adequate
back support?
- Are your employees taking breaks? Are they varying their tasks instead of being
in static position for long periods of time?
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK
Five Steps You Can Take To Perform your Own
Risk Assessment.
Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how
 For each hazard, you have to identify who is in a potential
hazardous situation. That will help you manage the risk better.
 Some questions you can consider:
- Are there children near your workplace? Will it affect
members of the public?
- Do you have pregnant employees working near hazardous
conditions?
- Is it too glaring for people at the corner office where the sun
sets in around 2 to 5 pm?
- Are you putting too much into office storage boxes? The
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK
Five Steps You Can Take To Perform your Own
Risk Assessment.
Step 3: Evaluate risks and decide on how you are going
to take precautions
 After listing down potential hazards, brainstorm with your
employees on how to eliminate them.
 If you cannot eliminate them completely, you'll need to
implement procedures on managing them. For example,
you could put a sign to warn people about the stairways,
or label the coffee pot as "hot" etc.
 You could put barriers between the hazardous risk or issue
protective equipment such as footwear, anti-glare
protective computer screens.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK

Five Steps You Can Take To Perform your Own

Risk Assessment.
Step 4: Record your findings and implement them
 Put them together and go through them in a ergonomic
meeting with your employees.
 That way everyone will be informed and have an
increased awareness of potential risks at the workplace.
They can also be educated on how to sit properly, use
their workstations and computer equipment more
ergonomically.
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

ERGONOMIC RISK
Five Steps You Can Take To Perform your Own
Risk Assessment.
Step 5: Review your assessment and update.
 It is normal for us to slack off as times go by and go back
to our old ways.
 Date the last time a proper risk assessment was made and
come back to it. Go through it again like a checklist.
 Was there any improvements? Were there any problems
with its implementation? Analyze if they were effective.
 Have a meeting again to review your risk assessments and
ask for feedback.
 Hopefully there is a decrease in MSD, and that everyone
has been enjoying a healthier and safer workplace.
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ERGONOMICS RISK FACTORS

 Environmental Factors
Contributing Factors
■ Noise
Awkward Posture
■ Temperature
Excessive Force
■ Lighting/glare
Repetitive Motion
■ Vibration
Static Loading
Contact Stress
W O R K P L A C E E N V I R O N M EN T & E R G O N O M I C S

EARLY DETECTION AND REPORTING OF

SYMPTOMS
 Continuous pain after weeks of involvement in
new job
 Sudden pain in worker that has been on the same
job for a long time
 Pain that is getting worse
 Pain that is centered at certain muscles
 Signs of numbness and aches
 Signs of redness and swelling
Know Your Limitations
Congested WORKSTATION