Office ErgonomicsOffice ErgonomicsJoe BrennemanJoe Brenneman

ISE 3014ISE 3014Work Measurement and MethodsWork Measurement and Methods

EngineeringEngineering

From Professional Safety Vol.50 No.7 Page 22-30From Professional Safety Vol.50 No.7 Page 22-30

What is Office Ergonomics?What is Office Ergonomics?

Ergonomics: is the study of how you Ergonomics: is the study of how you interact with your work and work interact with your work and work environment.environment.

Office ergonomics: focuses on Office ergonomics: focuses on

arranging your work environment to arranging your work environment to fit your needs while you do your job. fit your needs while you do your job.

Why Office Ergonomics?Why Office Ergonomics?

Reduce adverse health effects from Reduce adverse health effects from video display terminal (VDT).video display terminal (VDT).

Work related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) Work related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) Repetitive strain injuries (RSI)Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) 34% of lost workdays are due to WMSD and RSI34% of lost workdays are due to WMSD and RSI Costing businesses 15-20 million dollars a year in workers Costing businesses 15-20 million dollars a year in workers

compensation, and upwards of 60 million dollars in indirect compensation, and upwards of 60 million dollars in indirect costs.costs.

Enhance organizational effectiveness Enhance organizational effectiveness and facilitate the change process.and facilitate the change process.

System Design ApproachSystem Design Approach

AnalysisAnalysis What is the current performance of the organization and the What is the current performance of the organization and the

workers?workers? What is the desired performance of the organization and the What is the desired performance of the organization and the

workers? workers?

DesignDesign Try to match the worker with the job, and worker with the work Try to match the worker with the job, and worker with the work

environment.environment. Object by object design.Object by object design.

DevelopmentDevelopment ResearchResearch

ImplementImplement Pre Surveys and AssessmentsPre Surveys and Assessments

System Design ApproachSystem Design Approach

EvaluateEvaluate

Conduct evaluation Conduct evaluation after a realistic after a realistic amount of time.amount of time.

Post Survey and Post Survey and Assessment.Assessment.

Real Study ExampleReal Study Example

Telemarketing Company, call center 4,050 Telemarketing Company, call center 4,050 employees.employees. Pre assessment of VDT knowledge.Pre assessment of VDT knowledge.

67% of employees had correct responses.67% of employees had correct responses.

After TrainingAfter Training More than 93% of employees had correct responses.More than 93% of employees had correct responses.

Post observationsPost observations More than 85% of employees were able to apply More than 85% of employees were able to apply

techniques taught.techniques taught. Higher levels of user control as employees continually Higher levels of user control as employees continually

adjusted their workstation to meet various job demands.adjusted their workstation to meet various job demands.

Telemarketing Call CenterTelemarketing Call Center

Changes made to work environmentChanges made to work environment Chair adjustmentChair adjustment Monitor placementMonitor placement Height and adjustment of keyboardsHeight and adjustment of keyboards Working surfacesWorking surfaces Change in postureChange in posture Breaks for exercise or movementBreaks for exercise or movement

Cost and Benefit Cost and Benefit

Return on InvestmentReturn on Investment After first yearAfter first year

15% decrease in reported upper extremity WMSDs15% decrease in reported upper extremity WMSDs 33% decrease in average lost workdays due to 33% decrease in average lost workdays due to

WMSDsWMSDs An overall increase in worker control and efficiency An overall increase in worker control and efficiency

and a reduction in stress.and a reduction in stress. The money saved from workers compensation The money saved from workers compensation

surpassed the cost of training after the first year surpassed the cost of training after the first year and a half.and a half.

After the second year, decreases in WMSDs After the second year, decreases in WMSDs continued.continued.

ConclusionConclusion

A well designed office coupled with A well designed office coupled with ergonomic techniques can lead to ergonomic techniques can lead to better efficiency and reduction in better efficiency and reduction in worker stress.worker stress.