OR-OSHA 201

How to identify, control, and reduce musculoskeletal disorders in your workplace!

Introduction to

Ergonomics
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OR-OSHA
101
Revised 01/97

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ERGONOMICS-What is
it?
The term ergonomics is derived from two
Greek words: ergor Ergon , meaning
work and Nomoi or nomas, meaning
natural laws.
Ergonomists study human capabilities in
relationship to work demands.
In recent years, ergonomists have attempted to
define postures which minimize unnecessary
static work and reduce the forces acting on the
body.

Ergonomic Principles
All of us could significantly reduce our risk of injury if
we could adhere to the following ergonomic
principles:
1. All work activities should permit the worker to
adopt several different, but equally healthy and safe
postures
2. Where muscular force has to be exerted it should be
done by the largest appropriate muscle groups
available.
3. Work activities should be performed with the joints at
about mid-point of their range of movement. This
applies particularly to the head, trunk, and upper
limbs. (Cortlett, 1983)

What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the scientific study of human work.

The idea behind ergonomics is to adapt the work environment

to the worker rather than adapt the worker to their environment
by designing tasks & tools or equipment to fit the individual to
prevent injuries to the musculoskeletal system.

FAAL KERJA dan

BIOMEKANIKA

FAAL (fisiologi): ilmu pengetahuan tentang fungsi

mahkluk hidup dan bagian-bagiannya termasuk proses
fisika dan proses kimia yang terlibat.
BIOMEKANIKA: menjelaskan karakterisik dan
tanggapan tubuh manusia sebagai sistem biologi dalam
terminologi mekanika. Pendekatan biomekanika
dikembangkan dengan menggunakan cabang ilmu
mekanika, matematika (termasuk komputer), anatomi,
ortopedi, faal (physiology), dan khususnya
antropometri.

PERTIMBANGAN
ERGONOMI DAN FAAL

Untuk mendapatkan pola gerak yang: (1) paling aman,

(2) tidak meletihkan, dan (3) kinerja efisiensi yang baik.

Misalnya: memilih menggunakan tangan, kaki, ataukah

seluruh tubuh.

Kaki memerlukan lebih banyak energi, kurang teliti dan

lambat dibanding tangan, untuk jarak yang sama, tapi
lebih kuat.

Pekerjaan berat dapat dikategorikan

menjadi tiga:
1. pekerjaan dimana manusia memikul beban yang

maknitud-nya mendekati maksimum kekuatan

otot dengan frekwensi gerakan yang relatip

rendah,
2. pekerjaan yang frekwensinya maupun

maknitudenya medium (tidak sampai mendekati

maksimum kekuatan otot), dan

3. yang maknitud-nya ringan namun menuntut

frekwensi gerakan yang tinggi.

EVALUASI BERATNYA PEKERJAANJENIS KE 2:

MEMONITOR ENERGI EXPENDITURE, DIMANA BERATNYA
KERJA DIUKUR DENGAN SEBERAPA JAUH KERJA
TERSEBUT MENUNTUT ENERGI MANUSIA.
ENERGI MERUPAKAN GABUNGAN BESARAN BERAT
(GAYA) DAN KECEPATAN (FREKWENSI) GERAK DARI
ORANG YANG MELAKUKAN KERJA
ENERGI MANUSIA YANG KERJA DIUKUR DENGAN
EKIFALEN KONSUMSI OKSIGEN YANG DIUKUR
LANGSUNG DARI PERNAFASAN
BERATNYA KERJA SEBANDING ENERGI YANG DILEPAS
KAN MANUSIA YANG DIDETEKSI DARI PENYERAPAN
OKSIGEN

JENIS KE 3
EVALUASI DENGAN PENGUKURAN EKIFALEN
ENERGI TIDAK AKAN TELITI.
KELETIHAN MANUSIA PADA KERJA INI
BUKAN
KARENA KEHABISAN ENERGI, TETAPI
KEFATIKAN OTOT, LELAH YANG
TERLOKALISASI
PADA SEGMEN TUBUH YANG BERGERAK
CEPAT

JENIS KE 1
KELETIHAN MANUSIA PADA KERJA INI
KARENA KEHABISAN ENERGI DAN
BEBAN TINGGI PADA OTOT/SISTEM
RANGKA TUBUH YANG MENGAKIBAT
KAN PEREGANGAN BERLEBIHAN, BISA
TIDAK KUAT, ATAU CEDERA

OBJECTIVES

Know how to recognize injury

risks
Understand how the body works
Realize how to eliminate or
reduce injuries
Know how to stretch and warm up

What are the benefits of ergonomics?

of work-related injuries
Reduction
improved ability to enhance productivity
Significantly
work quality
Increased
absenteeism
Reduced
morale
Increased
Dramatic improvement in personal health
and
stamina
confidence and security
Increased
physical stress while treating patients
Minimized
awareness of precise operating control
Heightened
Increased gentleness and patient comfort

Ergonomics provides a win-win

situation..on and off the job

Ergonomics Address?
Workplace design
Design for the extremes
Design for the average
Design with adjustability
Task design
Work smarter not harder
What tasks are being performed
Who is performing the tasks
Equipment design
Adjust the tools to match the task not the
body
What is being used to perform the task

Risk Factors

Risk Factors are the elements of

workstation design or employee
action that can result in MuscularSkeletal Disorders
Environmental Factors
Activity Factors
Psychosocial Issues

The Human Factor

People are different

Biological everyone has their limitations
Shapes and sizes
Tall and short
Young and not-so-young!
Strength and postural stress
Congenital defects, vision, hearing, etc.
Emotional stress
Educational level

The Human Factor

Behavioral people have predictable reactions
Attitude
Sleep habits
Poor perception of job or employer
Time pressures (stress)
No time for stretching, breaks lunch
Work Culture
Interaction with co-workers
Personal problems

The Human Factor

Lifestyle influences
Lack of physical fitness
Obesity
YOU JUST FEEL
Age and gender
BETTER!
Substance abuse
Leisure/hobbies/sports
Smoking
Medical/psychological factors
Previous injuries

Environmental Factors

Heat
Effects blood circulation & causes cramps, burns/rashes
and general discomfort
Cold
Effects the bodys blood circulation, causes hypothermia,
loss of flexibility, distraction and poor dexterity
Lighting
Poorly lighted areas contribute to trip and fall hazards
and poor coordination
Under and over lighted areas can cause:
Headaches, muscle strains, fatigue and eye strain

Environmental Factors

Vibration
Excessive vibration causes pain to muscles, joints and
internal organs
Soft tissue trauma to the hands, arms, feet and legs
Noise
Noise peaks above 100 decibels cause headaches, increased
blood pressure, muscle tension, fatigue, irritability and
distraction
Noise levels above 85 decibels need to adhere to the Hearing
Conservation Program
Equipment, tools, fax, copier, telephone,neighbors, etc.

The Ergonomics Study

Identify risk factors that can lead to

discomfort and pain, and make adaptations
to improve work situations.
Change the way people do their work
Change the physical environment
Modify work tasks, tools, equipment

Activity Risk Factors

Static or awkward postures

Varicose veins, back stress, pooling of blood,

etc.
Weight/load
Improper gripping
Contact stresses
Improper lifting. lowering, carrying
Force/exertion
Repetitive motion
Magnitude/size (how much)
Duration (how long

Activity Factors
Force & Exertion
Force: Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling,
poor body mechanics
Forceful exertions: Pinching, grasping,
keying, mousing, writing, stapling, etc.
Factors: Weight, bulkiness/size and
speed
Tool Design
Handle shape, impact, pressure, etc.

Activity Risk Factors

Static or awkward postures

Varicose veins, back stress, pooling
of blood, etc.
Weight/load
Improper gripping
Contact stresses
Improper lifting. lowering, carrying
Force/exertion
Repetitive motion
Magnitude/size (how much)
Duration (how long)

Activity Factors
Force & Exertion
Force: Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling,
poor body mechanics
Forceful exertions: Pinching, grasping,
keying, mousing, writing, stapling, etc.
Factors: Weight, bulkiness/size and speed
Tool Design
Handle shape, impact, pressure, etc.

Activity Factors
Manual Material Handling
Use good body mechanics
Walking surfaces are level, wide enough, clean
and dry
Know your limits
Weight
Size
Repetition
Twisting, Bending, Reaching
Method
Get assistance
Know your intended route

Activity Factors
Lifting
Assess the load and plan your lift
Address the lift get a firm footing
Bend your knees do not bend at the waist
Tighten your stomach muscles
Keep the load close to your body
Lift with your knees
Keep your back upright & look up
Avoid twisting - Toes before the nose
Push instead of pull when possible
Get help if the load is to heavy or use a
mechanical device
Stretch before the lift

Activity Factors

Standing
Anti-fatigue mats for those who must stand for
extended
periods of time
Sit/stand stools to allow employees to alter posture
while
working
Footrest to allow the employee to put one foot up and
change positions often
Floor surface is free of obstacles and flat
Keep work at comfortable height to maintain erect
posture
Footwear with good support

Psychosocial Factors
Job Dissatisfaction (friction with supervisor or

fellow
employees)
Depression/Anxiety, home problems, psychological
distress
Intensified work load, work pressure, fatigue, rotating
shifts
Increased physical pain from stress with muscle
tightness and tension
Cognitive demands

Basic Ergonomic
Principles
Maintain the neutral position

Use the power position

Stay within your reach zone
Promote the most effective work process
Maintain and use the correct tools and
equipment
Provide adequate rest breaks
Control and reduce the duration,
frequency, and severity of exposures

Ergonomics for office

work

Awkward Posture
Chair
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Document Holder
Phone
Amount of Reach
Additional accessories
Tools, equipment and procedures

Posture
Maintain the S curve in your spine
Feet flat on the floor
Knees and hips at a 90o angle
Elbows at 90o angle do not lean on
elbows
Shoulders relaxed and elbows close to
body
Head and neck in the upright position
Hands and wrist in the neutral position
Avoid: Poor body mechanics, twisted torso,
slouching, kneeling, squatting, neck
rotation/side

Sitting Basics
Height of the chair adjustable
Allows feet to be supported
Seat pan depth allows clearance for knees
Adjustable backrest with lumbar support
Adjustable arm rests - height & width
Allows arms and shoulders to be relaxed and
supported
Chair Tilt
Seat Pan Angle
Good casters
One chair does not fit all

Other Options for Improvement

Maintain your work zone
Primary the difference from elbow to
hand
Secondary Within arms reach
Reference - Outside of arms reach
Avoid twisting, bending and reaching
Rest and a healthy diet (stop smoking)
Drink water to help with joint function
Pay attention to posture and body mechanics
Exercise and stretch
You are industrial athletes

Ideas for Prevention

To increase circulation, use exercises while in the
workplace such as:
The body stretch
Side bends
Upper body twist
Shoulder shrugs
Fingers stretch
Wrist stretch
Thumb stretch
Finger squeezes
These can be used at the start of a work shift and following meal
breaks, during work to release tension, after prolonged sitting
or standing, and when you feel stiff.

Principles of
Ergonomics

Postures
Force
Reach
Heights
Motions
Static load
Pressure points
Clearance
Environment
Stretching & exercise

Neutral Postures
Keep Natural Curves
Wrists in Neutral (non-bent)
Elbows and Shoulder Relaxed