ERGONOMIC IN THE WORKPLACE

NAME ID NO.
MUHD KHAIRUL HISYAM BIN DARWIS
13DKM12F1085
MOHD LUQMANUL HAKIM B RAMLI
13DKM12F1098
MOHAMMAD HIDAYAT BIN SUHAINI
13DKM12F1079
MOHAMMAD AMIRUL AFZAM BIN
MUSA
13DKM12F1076
13DKM12F
13DKM12F

Lecture s name: CHE KU AMRAN BIN CHE KU ALI
Date: 21/8/2014







Abstract
Ergonomics is the science of fitting the work-place conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the
working population. The goal of ergonomics is to make the work place more comfortable and to improve
both health and productivity. To meet these goals, the capabilities and limitations of workers and their
tools, equipment and furniture are considered in conjunction with how they relate to particular tasks.













Introduction
Historically, ergonomics was another word for Human Factors. Today, Ergonomics commonly
refers to designing work environments for maximizing safety and efficiency. Biometrics and
Anthropometrics play a key role in this use of the word Ergonomics. Engineering Psychology
often has a specialty dealing with Workplace or Occupational Ergonomics.
Companies once thought that there was a bottom-line tradeoff between safety and efficiency.
Now they embrace ergonomics because they have learned that designing a safe work
environment can also result in greater efficiency and productivity. Recently, U.S. laws requiring
a safe work environment have stimulated great interest in Workplace Ergonomics from
ergonomic furniture to ergonomic training; however, it is in the design of the workplace as a
whole where the greatest impact can be seen for both safety and efficiency.
The easier it is to do a job, the more likely it is to see gains in productivity due to greater
efficiency. Analogously, the safer it is to do a job, the more likely it is to see gains in
productivity due to reduced time off for injury. Workplace Ergonomics can address both of these
issues concurrently by maximizing the workspace and equipment needed to do a job
Employers have a duty to provide safe working conditions and stress-free work environment for
all staff, which includes the provision of information and training for employees about workplace
posture and ergonomics. Poor posture at work is a major cause of back pain, workplace stress,
repetitive strain injury, resulting in lost time, reduced productivity, poor employee health, low
morale, and higher costs. The technical content of this free theory article is provided by
ergonomics expert Hugh Babington Smith (now retired), and this contribution is gratefully
acknowledged. Applying these simple workplace posture and ergonomics techniques and
principles will improve the working environment and well-being of staff.
This material initially clarifies and defines what posture is. It also explains the implications of
poor posture, why we should improve posture and the techniques for how doing so. Furthermore
the article explains in detail why the employer should take an interest in posture

Methodology
In carrying out this task, we have to discuss between our team members on how to solve this task
with good and perfect. The first thing we did was to divide each item must be in this format to
group members. Various sources that we are looking to solve this task. Among them is like the
Internet, books as well as sessions with the lecturer questions. We always carry out tasks
together so that none of our members who are not performing. We are instructed to do this task
using a computer and using Microsoft Word. After each task is divided just finished, and we
have to sort according to the specified format.











Finding
Ergonomics is the field of study that seeks to fit the job to the person, rather than the person to
the job. This is achieved through the evaluation and design of workplaces, environments, job
tasks, equipment, and processes in relationship to human capabilities and interactions in the
workplace. Anytime there is a change in the workplace (new employee, new chair, new desk),
new ergonomic solutions are required. It is important that all furniture (chairs, desks) and other
accessories are adjustable in order to meet individual worker's needs, for no two people are alike.
Ergonomics covers the entire work area, including issues regarding the chair, workstation, and
lighting.
Effective use of ergonomic practices will assist in maintaining high levels of productivity,
avoiding painful and costly employee injuries, and increasing worker satisfaction. By designing
the job around the person, employees will have a decreased risk of injury and an improved
perception of their "employee-centered" role at work.
Analyzing ergonomics in the workplace is an imperative practice for every type of business. The
longer the issue is ignored, the more detrimental the injury will become. We can identify issues
before they cause lost productivity.
Ergonomics considers the relationship between the worker, the actions or tasks inherent to that
activity (job, school, play), and the environment in which the work is performed. When there is a
mismatch between the physical requirements of the job and the physical capacity of the worker,
musculoskeletal disorders may result.
Ergonomics is the practice of designing equipment and work tasks to conform to the capacity of
the worker. It provides a means of adjusting the work environment and work practices to prevent
injuries before they occur.
Our goal is to help you provide a safe and efficiently designed environment that maximizes
productivity and minimizes injury potential


Positive will analyze your operation and assist you in making the necessary changes to correct
the identified problems. Certified Ergonomic Specialists evaluate your work environment and
perform the following:

Suggest options for solving ergonomic safety issues
Assist in establishing or improving work-site injury and illness prevention programs
Help employers identify hazards in the workplace
Work with employers to identify and develop health and training for employees
Provide employers with written reports to summarize findings

Whether computer terminal, assembly line, construction site, retail stores or someplace else, your
employees do not have to work in pain.

The Ergonomic Dilemma
Employers are always faced with the tradeoff between efficiency and productivity vs. employee
safety and comfort. The good news is that they do not have to be a tradeoff. Rather, good
ergonomic assessment and remedial design can also result in improved efficiency and
productivity.
Employees time away from work due to injury reduces productivity, awkward equipment and
procedures reduces efficiency, and violation of compliance requirements can certainly affect
the bottom line. Creating an ergonomically effective workplace results in employee safety while
increasing efficiency and productivity.







The Application
Proof:Positive Consulting can assist your company with ergonomic assessment, workplace
design improvements, and staff training. We can make your workplace safe, efficient, and in
compliance. Our Ergonomics Engineers apply a rigorous and systematic technique to ensure a
hazard-free and worker-safe environment.
We use quantitative methods to evaluate the workplace and determine those areas that will most
benefit from design and placement changes. Once the critical ergonomic hot spots have been
identified and evaluated, we can re-design the problem areas to maximize the ergonomic impact.
Finally, we can train your staff to self-monitor and regulate their ergonomic environment. The
objective is to meet compliance requirements while increasing safety, efficiency, and
productivity.
Our experience covers a wide range of workplace environments including the office,
manufacturing floor, warehouse, and vehicles
















Example

Chair

Experts agree that your chair is perhaps the single most important component of a healthy
working environment. In fact, it is what most people should adjust first - before modifying their
keyboard or monitor position. If you do not have an adjustable chair, you may need to think
creatively to obtain an ideal sitting posture. Lumbar support cushions and footrests are ideal
solutions.

Features of an Ergonomic Chair
The mechanisms for adjusting the chair should be easy to locate and adjust with one hand while
seated. One should understand the functions of the mechanisms, and know how to operate them.
















Work-related risk factors to be considered in the evaluation process include, but are not limited
to, the following:
a) Physical risk factors, including force, awkward and static postures, static loading and
sustained exertion, fatigue, repetition, contact stress, extreme temperatures, and vibration
a) Administrative issues, including job rotation or enlargement, staffing levels, excessive
overtime, numbers of rest breaks, stress from deadlines, amount of training, work pace,
and work methods
b) Environmental risk factors, including noise, lighting, glare, air quality, temperature,
humidity, and personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing
c) A combination of risk factors (for example, highly repetitive, forceful work with no job
rotation; or precision work in a dimly lit room)

Workstation
Proper Work Surface Setup
1. The work surface should be installed/adjusted to be approximately 25 - 34 high for
seated work and to fit a range of operator sizes (ensure that adjustments can be made
easily).
2. The space beneath the work surface should have sufficient room above your legs to allow
for a range of body postures. The knee well should be 30 by 19 deep.
3. The work surface should have adequate space for equipment (monitor, telephone, stapler,
tape dispenser) to be located close to the user to minimize bending, flexing, or twisting of
arms, wrists, or hands.
4. A matte finish on the work surface is ideal to reduce light reflection.
5. The keyboard and mouse should be placed together on a platform that is at least 28
wide, directly in front of you and directly beneath the monitor.
6. The keyboard and mouse platform should easily move side to side, up and down, in and
out, and lock securely in place.
7. The height of the keyboard/mouse platform should allow your hands to rest lightly on
keyboard or mouse with your forearms using the chair armrests for support.
Method of egonomic in workplace (How to sit at a computer).
STEP 1: Your Chair






1. Push your hips as far back as they can
go in the chair.

2. Adjust the seat height so your feet are
flat on the floor and your knees equal
to, or slightly lower than, your hips.


3. Adjust the back of the chair to a 100-
110 reclined angle. Make sure your
upper and lower back are supported.
Use inflatable cushions or small pillows
if necessary. If you have an active back
mechanism on your chair, use it to
make frequent position changes.

4. Adjust the armrests (if fitted) so that
your shoulders are relaxed. If your
armrests are in the way, remove them.

STEP 2: Your Keyboard





1. An articulating keyboard tray
can provide optimal positioning
of input devices.
2. However, it should
accommodate the mouse, enable
leg clearance, and have an
adjustable height and tilt
mechanism.
3. The tray should not push you
too far away from other work
materials, such as your
telephone.
Pull up close to your keyboard.
Position the keyboard directly in front
of your body.
Determine what section of the keyboard
you use most frequently, and readjust
the keyboard so that section is centred
with your body.
Adjust the keyboard height so that your
shoulders are relaxed, your elbows are
in a slightly open position (100 to
110), and your wrists and hands are
STEP 3: Screen, Document, and Telephone













Incorrect positioning of the screen and source
documents can result in awkward postures.
Adjust the screen and source documents so that
your neck is in a neutral, relaxed position.
Centre the screen directly in front of
you, above your keyboard.
Position the top of the screen
approximately 2-3 above seated eye
level. (If you wear bifocals, lower the
screen to a comfortable reading level.)
Sit at least an arm's length away from
the screen and then adjust the distance
for your vision.
Reduce glare by careful positioning of
straight.
The tilt of your keyboard is dependent
upon your sitting position. Use the
keyboard tray mechanism, or keyboard
feet, to adjust the tilt. If you sit in a
forward or upright position, try tilting
your keyboard away from you at a
negative angle. If you are reclined, a
slight positive tilt will help maintain a
straight wrist position.
Wristrests can help to maintain neutral
postures and pad hard
surfaces. However, the wristrest should
only be used to rest the palms of the
hands between keystrokes. Resting on
the wristrest while typing is not
recommended. Avoid using excessively
wide wristrests, or wristrests that are
higher than the space bar of your
keyboard.
Place the pointer as close as possible to
the keyboard. Placing it on a slightly
inclined surface, or using it on a
mousebridge placed over the 10-
keypad, can help to bring it closer.
If you do not have a fully adjustable
keyboard tray, you may need to adjust
your workstation height, the height of
your chair, or use a seat cushion to get
into a comfortable position. Remember
to use a footrest if your feet dangle.





the screen.
o Place screen at right angles to
windows
o Adjust curtains or blinds as
needed
o Adjust the vertical screen angle
and screen controls to minimize
glare from overhead lights
o Other techniques to reduce glare
include use of optical glass
glare filters, light filters, or
secondary task lights
Position source documents directly in
front of you, between the screen and the
keyboard, using an in-line copy
stand. If there is insufficient space,
place source documents on a document
holder positioned adjacent to the
screen.
Place your telephone within easy
reach. Telephone stands or arms can
help.
Use headsets and speaker phone to
eliminate cradling the handset.

STEP 4: Pauses and Breaks






Once you have correctly set up your computer
workstation use good work habits. No matter
how perfect the environment, prolonged, static
postures will inhibit blood circulation and take
a toll on your body.
Take short 1-2 minute stretch breaks
every 20-30 minutes. After each hour
of work, take a break or change tasks
for at least 5-10 minutes. Always try to
get away from your computer during
lunch breaks.
Avoid eye fatigue by resting and
refocusing your eyes periodically. Look
away from the monitor and focus on
something in the distance.
Rest your eyes by covering them with
your palms for 10-15 seconds.
Use correct posture when working.
Keep moving as much as possible.


Discussion
In this lesson, we must know how ergonomics in workplace functioned and how to provide a
workplace that is comfortable and safe. We also need to know how to do work involving heavy
objects safely. Further, we are also able to practice how to work a comfortable and safe work.
After that, we also need to know how to prevent injuries in the workplace and when doing a
work safely.

Conclusion
In the research that we do, we can learn quite a bit about ergonomics in the workplace and
comfortable positions while doing the work. Moreover, ergonomics also teach us about the
design of tools, machines, tasks, and environment that is productive, safe, comfortable and
effective for our use. In conclusion, the ergonomics in the workplace is very important to us to
provide a workplace that is safe and comfortable.










References
Internet
http://proofpositiveco.com/services/reduce-work-comp-claims/ergonomics/
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/hazards/manual-tasks/perform/index.htm