Show Your Body At Work Ergonomics PosterThe UMBC campus, like any other large organization, requires an ergonomic program. This program is in place to handle requests for analysis and evaluation of workplace design. 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. The aim of the discipline is to prevent the development of occupational disorders and to reduce the potential for fatigue, error, or unsafe acts through the evaluation and design of facilities, environments, jobs, tasks tools, equipment, processes, and training methods to match the capabilities of specific workers. Ergonomics is the applied science of equipment and process design intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort. Simply put, ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit the worker, rather than physically forcing the worker to fit the job. Our Ergonomics webpage will assist you in the following areas of ergonomics: Computer Workstation Ergonomics, Laboratory Ergonomics, and Back Safety/Materials Handling. If your request is for a diagnosed health condition that is not work-related (I.e. a lifelong/adult-onset health condition or after-effects of an injury), faculty, staff, and student work accommodations are administered by Accessibility & Disability Services online via accessibility.umbc.edu under Employees as well as and 410-455-5745.
Ergonomics is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people who use them. Most people have heard of ergonomics and think it is something to do with seating or with the design of car controls and instruments – and it is… but it is so much more. Ergonomics applies to the design of anything that involves people – workspaces, sports and leisure, health and safety. Ergonomics (or ‘human factors’ as it is referred to in North America) is a branch of science that aims to learn about human abilities and limitations, and then apply this learning to improve people’s interaction with products, systems and environments. Ergonomics aims to improve workspaces and environments to minimise risk of injury or harm. So as technologies change, so too does the need to ensure that the tools we access for work, rest and play are designed for our body’s requirements. Why is Ergonomics important?In the workplace: According to Safe Work Australia, the total economic cost of work-related injuries and illnesses is estimated to be $60 billion dollars. Recent research has shown that lower back pain is the world’s most common work-related disability – affecting employees from offices, building sites and in the highest risk category, agriculture. Ergonomics aims to create safe, comfortable and productive workspaces by bringing human abilities and limitations into the design of a workspace, including the individual’s body size, strength, skill, speed, sensory abilities (vision, hearing), and even attitudes. In the greater population: The number of people in Australia aged 75 and over is forecast to double over the next 50 years. With this, equipment, services and systems will need to be designed to accommodate the increasing needs of the ageing population, applying to public transport, building facilities, and living spaces. How does Ergonomics work?Ergonomics is a relatively new branch of science which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999, but relies on research carried out in many other older, established scientific areas, such as engineering, physiology and psychology. To achieve best practice design, Ergonomists use the data and techniques of several disciplines:
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Goals can be in many difference areas and include: Task VarietyTo alleviate boredom, avoid both excessive static body positions and repetitive movements. Design jobs to have a variety of tasks that require changes in body position, muscles used, and mental activities. Two methods are job enlargement and job rotation. For example, if an employee normally assembles parts, the job may be enlarged to include new tasks such as work planning, inspection / quality control, or maintenance. Alternatively, the tasks may include working in the same department, but changing tasks every hour. For example, in a laundry facility employees can rotate between various stations (sorting, washer, dryer, iron, etc) as long as it provides for a change in physical or mental expenditure. Skill VarietyThrough job enlargement and job enrichment, often new skills are required. Learning skills is often linked to job satisfaction, good mental health, and well-being. Work Breaks / Rest BreaksRest breaks help alleviate the problems of unavoidable repetitive movements or static body positions. More frequent but shorter breaks (sometimes called "micro breaks") are sometimes preferable to fewer long breaks. During rest breaks, encourage employees to change body position and to exercise. It is important that employees stretch and use different muscle groups. If the employee has been very active, a rest break should include a stationary activity or stretching. Allowance for an Adjustment PeriodWhen work demands physical effort, have an adjustment period for new employees and for all employees after holidays, layoffs, or illnesses. Allow time to become accustomed to the physical demands of work by gradually "getting in shape." Employees who work in extreme hot or cold conditions also need time to acclimatize. Provide TrainingTraining in correct work procedures and equipment operation is needed so that employees understand what is expected of them and how to work safely. Training should be organized, consistent and ongoing. It may occur in a classroom or on the job. Vary Mental ActivitiesTasks should be coordinated so that they are balanced during the day for the individual employee as well as balanced among a group of employees. You may want to allow the employee some degree of choice as to what types of mental tasks they want to do and when. This choice will allow the employee to do tasks when best suited to their 'alertness' patterns during the day. Some people may prefer routine tasks in the morning (such as checklists or filling in forms) and save tasks such as problem solving until the afternoon, or vice versa.
Take a moment to check your posture because October is National Ergonomics Month! Today ergonomics is defined as the science of designing the workplace to accommodate the worker. The benefit of ergonomics, or fitting the job to the worker, is in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). MSDs are soft tissue injuries that affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. According to OSHA the primary risk factors for work-related MSDs are: Have you taken time to look for risk factors lurking in your work space? While you're patting yourself on the back for spending extra time on your computer finishing that project, beware! You may be a candidate for a MSD. Work that involves repetitious activity, awkward positions, or even cold and hot temperatures can put you at risk for injury. The goal of a comprehensive workplace ergonomics program is to identify and eliminate these risk factors. Here at UC Davis we have an Ergonomics & Body Mechanics Program through Occupational Health Services. Here you can find information and resources regarding safe and proper handling of materials, office space set up, best lifting practices and tips to prevent repetitive motion injuries. Applying ergonomics principles in the workplace can be very beneficial. Alleviating workplace stress results in improved productivity, efficiency and employee morale. It can decrease lost work days, employee turnover, workers’ compensations claims and costs related to work-related MSDs. For tips on improving your work space, visit the Ergonomics Team at https://safetyservices.ucdavis.edu/article/uc-davis-ergonomics-body-mechanics-program or contact FM Safety Office at . |