Computer Workstation Safety

Overview

Mike Papakyriakou

Occupational Health & Safety (OHS)

yorku.ca/ergo

Phone: 416-736-5491 E-mail: mikepapa@yorku.ca

Revised Sep 05, 2013

Musculoskeletal Overuse Injuries (RSIs,

MSDs) e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome

6 weeks post surgery

Musculoskeletal Overuse Injuries (RSIs, MSDs)

Image source: www.spokanerisk.org/Safety.htm

Prevention is best treatment

Learn symptoms

Take corrective action early

Discomfort Pain Disability

Symptoms

Some or all of the following:

• Tingling

• Numbness

• Weakness or clumsiness in hands; dropping things

• Pain

• Stiffness

• Burning sensation

• Heaviness

• Swelling

• Redness

Sample Agenda for Staff Meeting

• What are MSDs

• Checklist Reference Material

• Work Organization (1st few slides)

• Chair Adjustments

• Keyboard Adjustments

• Process for getting more help

7

Injury Prevention: Vary Activities

• we’re not designed for this

Image source: weblog.infoworld.com/openresource/archives/2007/06/

Varying activities: switch tasks

Intermittent standing/walking tasks are best

Switching tasks/activities at

home

Alternate activities that are

NOT recommended

How to vary activities #2

same task, different

muscles

–e-mail or phone/visit

same task, different muscles

mouse or keyboard

same task, different muscles (con’d)

switch hands

–mouse

Switch hands

Briefcase

Purse

Backpack

etc

Can you turn sitting tasks into

standing/walking tasks?

How to vary activities #3

Image source: www.shelterpub.com/_fitness/_desk_stretches/stretches_graphic.html

Stretch

(think

opposite)

“I don’t have time to rest (switch

tasks, stretch, etc)!” T

issu

e act

ivit

y l

evel

Time

Alternate activity (Recovery periods)

Activity Activity Activity Activity

Tis

sue

act

ivit

y l

evel

Time

Alternate activity (Recovery periods)

10

minutes

60

minutes

10

seconds 5

minutes

How often? How long?

Short activities = short recovery times

Long activities = much longer recovery times

Don’t wait for discomfort

Injury Prevention: Physical Fitness

• Diet

• Rest

• Exercise

Injury Prevention:

Workstation/Body Mechanics

Mouse position

Demo: hand far vs close Image source: www.hp.com/ergo

Hand posture/worksurface height

Demo-wiggle fingers

Image source: www.hp.com/ergo

Set seat height 1st:

Keyboard/mouse not at the right height and your

heels are on the floor?

keyboard/mouse

Lower keyboard

keyboard

What if you can’t lower keyboard (i.e not

adjustable)?

keyboard

Raise chair

keyboard

…and get a footrest

Desk/Chair adjustments

If unsure, check

instructions or ask…

–Co-worker

–Supervisor

–HSO

–OHS

Chair/desk not the right height

& not adjustable?

Touch typists Not touch typists

Document position

Holding telephone handset

Monitor position

Image source: www.hp.com/ergo

Monitor Height

35

Monitor Height (too high)

36

Notebooks, Netbooks, Cellphones, etc

Image source: http://geektyrant.com/news/2010/7/12/paramount-pictures-to-

develop-hunchback-of-notre-dame-action.html

Prolonged postures may become your

“normal” postures

Prevention is the best treatment!

Physical fitness

Vary activities

Proper workstation setup

Proper body mechanics

Learn software shortcuts

Early intervention

Implementing Changes

• Plan carefully, changes may create new problems

• Step by step (don't change everything at once)

• Be patient, any change may feel uncomfortable

initially

?

Computer Workstation Overview A printable version of this slide is online.

Body parts & what makes them happy

Workstation Tips

Eyes: Looking at objects far away. Blinking.

Tilt screen for easiest reading. Test screen closer or farther away. Use bigger fonts.

Neck: Looking straight ahead, not up or down or twisted.

Top of screen below eye level, directly in front of you. Paper documents close to screen and upright. Use your hand to hold the phone not your head and shoulder. Learn to touch type.

Shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers: Upper arms vertical. Elbows close to side. Forearms parallel to ground or sloping slightly down. Wrists straight. Fingers curled.

Set keyboard platform height & angle to match forearm angle and allow hands to float. Mouse on same level and close to keyboard (ideally on the left). Armrests supportive yet allow elbows to swing freely.

Low back: Natural curve Set seat height so knees are at hip level or slightly lower, feet flat on the floor or footrest. Seat/backrest angle so torso/upper leg angle is 90-115 degrees. Backrest height provides support for curve

Whole body: Movement Don’t sit too long. Stretch. Be active.

Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention

Classes

1) Computer Workstation Safety

2) Back Safety Supplement

Prerequisite:

Computer Workstation Safety

Offered monthly

Check website/contact me for upcoming dates

Image source: usachppm.apgea.army.mil/ergopgm

Back Safety Supplement – reducing back injury

risk at home, work and play

Questions?

• yorku.ca/ergo

• Presentation slides (Site index)

• Computer Workstation Safety Overview

• More online information

• Independent Learning Module/Quiz