ERGONOMICS

Dr.Azmi Abdul Khan

Menara Group
Physio at Work
ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics is the science of fitting
the job to the worker.

Ergonomics is derived from two

Greek words
Ergo – Work
Nomics – Study of
 INTRODUCTION
Ergonomics or human factors is the understanding of
interactions among humans and other elements of the
system.
Hence, ergonomists study human capabilities in
relationship to work demands.
 History
As early as 18th century doctors noted that workers
who required to maintain body positions for long
periods of time developed musculoskeletal problems.

Within last 20 years research has clearly established

connections between certain job tasks and RSI or
MSD
 Elements at Work
Static work: Musculoskeletal effort required to hold
certain position, even a comfortable one.

Example: sit & work at computers

 Elements at Work
Force: amount of tension our muscles generate

Example: tilting your head forward or backward from

a neutral.
 Facts
The average person working at a keyboard can
perform 50,000 to 200,000 keystrokes a day

Overexertion, falls & RSI(Repetitive Strain injury)

are the most common cause of workplace injury

Muscles overuse results in tiny tears in the muscles

and scarring; these contribute to inflammation and
muscle stiffness
Ergonomic Stress Areas
 Injuries at Work
• Overuse and small repetitive movements:
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
- Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)

• Nerve compressions or entrapments

 Repetitive strain injury
Tendons are connective tissue elements that
attach muscle to bone

Repetitive movements causes Tendon overuse

leading to inflammation of tendons or tendonitis

Tendons of wrist & hand are very small and are at

high risk for injury due to overuse
Trapezius muscle
Causes of Trapezitis
Overuse
Stress
Poor posture
Trauma

S/S : Pain, Headache and Neck stiffness

Management
Conservative
Physiotherapy
SHOULDER PAIN
SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME 
(subacromial impingement, painful arc syndrome, supraspinatus syndrome)

Irritation or Inflammation of Rotator Cuff muscles.

 Lifting weights away from
body
Common Wrong positioning of
causes of shoulder while working
Shoulder Sudden twisting of
Pain shoulder
SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME 
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
 Pain
 Weakness
 Loss of Shoulder Movement

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT

SURGICAL INTERVENTION
 Repetitive strain injury
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis affecting finger
extensor tendons originating from lateral side of elbow
S/S: Pain over the elbow, Radiating to forearm and
Grip weakness
Golfer’s elbow
Golfer’s elbow or medial epicondylitis affecting
finger flexor tendons originating from medial side
of elbow
S/S: Pain over the elbow, Radiating to forearm and
Grip weakness
 Nerve Compression or Entrapments

Cubital tunnel syndrome:

(ulnar nerve compression inside of the elbow due to
repetitive bending of elbow or resting your elbow
on a hard surface)
S/S: numbness or tingling sensation inside of forearm,
ring & little fingers
 Nerve Compression or Entrapments

Carpal tunnel syndrome: compression of median nerve at

level of carpal tunnel
S/S: numbness or tingling in thumb, index, or middle finger
& ½ of ring finger.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
TRIGGER FINGER
known as stenosing tenosynovitis. It occurs when
inflammation narrows the space within the sheath
that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger.
Repetitive gripping/movement are in risk of
developing trigger finger.
S/S : A tender lump at the base of the finger on the
palm side of the hand. A catching, popping, or locking
sensation with finger movement. Pain when you bend
or straighten the finger
Management
Conservative
Physiotherapy
Steroid injection
Surgical intervention
 Back Disorders - Reasons

Bad Posture - Muscle guarding or

spasm

Sprains and Strains – Sudden

Twisting of body

Disc bulge  Herniation

Osteoarthritis
(Spondylosis – Degenerative
disorder)
 Back Injuries
• Heavy lifting from above the shoulders

• Heavy lifting from below the knees

• Twisting while lifting/carrying

• Bending over at the waist

• Carrying objects to one side

 Common Back Disorders
UPPER BACK
PAIN

LOW BACK PAIN

Bad Posture
Prolonged sitting in one position.
Working beyond normal abilities & limits
Poor Office Ergonomic Set up

Common
Causes of Back
Pain

Lifting heavy loads with

improper body position

Long distance driving, particularly if the seat is

not properly adjusted
Common
Cause Of
Wrist Pain
Management
Conservative
Physiotherapy
Surgical intervention
 Ergonomic Principles
1. Work activities should permit worker to adopt
several different healthy and safe postures.

2. Muscle forces should be done by the largest

appropriate muscle groups available

3. Work activities should be performed with joints at

about mid-point of their ROM (esp. head,trunk,UE)
 Ergonomics
Administrative controls

Work practice controls

Engineering controls
 Administrative controls

Employee rotation/job task expansion

Physical adjustments to the work pace
Redesign of work methods
Alternative tasks
Breaks
 Work practice controls

Safe & proper work techniques & procedures

Training
Physical conditioning period
 Engineering controls

Workstations
Tools/equipment
Facilities
Ergonomic work station
 Ergonomics –Work Station
Use a straight chair with support for your lower
spinal curve. You can use a small cushion or rolled
up towel behind your back to maintain proper curve
.
Adjust your seat so that your knees are slightly
lower than your hips.
Keep your feet flat
avoid crossing your legs.
 Ergonomics –Work Station
Sit close to your desk so you don’t have to bend
forward.
Position your work or chair so you can look
forward rather than down.
Use a document holder or move your computer
screen so the top of it is at eye level.
Shift your position frequently to prevent strain.
Take a break or do stretching exercises
Work Station
 Tools
Awkward positions
Bent or curved handles
Extensions or add-ons
Headphones
Support equipment overhead
Step stool
Forceful exertions
Soft-touch keyboards/buttons
Lifting devices
 Facilities

Light/Glare Temperature Noise

 Prevention
Warm up & stretch before activities that are repetitive,
static or prolonged

Take frequent breaks from ANY sustained posture

every 20-30 minutes

Stop painful activity

Recognize early signs of inflammatory process & seek

treatment early
 Prevention
Maintain erect position of back & neck with shoulders
relaxed

Keep upper arms close to the body, elbows 90-100

Degrees, feet flat on floor, wrists as neutral as possible.

Position equipment & work directly in front of and

close to your major tasks
 Prevention
Avoid static positions for prolonged time; muscles
fatigue, MOVE to increase circulation
Sit with the lower back firmly against the chair
back support.
 Body Mechanics
Use the largest joints & muscles to do the job
Use 2 hands to lift rather than one, even with light objects
and tasks.
Avoid lifting with the forearm in full pronation (palm
down) or supination (palm up)
Keep reaching to a minimum
Carry objects close to body at waist level
Exercises
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THANK YOU