Office Ergonomics

Question 1

What are the individual risk factors for neck pain?

Answer 1

• Health behaviours
• Occupation
• General health, prior pain, comorbidities
• Psychological factors

Question 2

What are the workplace factors for neck pain?

Answer 2

• Self-reported psychosocial workplace exposures

- Physical workplace exposures

Question 3

What are the risk factors for MSD in office workers?

Answer 3

• Repetitive mvt (fingers, wrist, head, shoulder)

- Sustained, static and/or awkward postures of head, neck, UL, trunk, LL

Question 4

What are some sources of risk?

Answer 4

• wrist and fingers = nature of work, task monotony
• head = typing style, uncorrected vision, location of docs
• head = visual correction, height/distance of monitor, high job demands
• shoulder = mouse use/position
• low back = lack of task variety, prolonged sitting/sedentary work

Question 5

How do you conduct a workstation Ax?

Answer 5

1. Identify risk factors (talk to worker, task analysis)

2. Assess risk for injury (checklist or tool, e.g. ROSA = Rapid Office Strain Ax, RULA = Rapid UL postural Ax tool)

Question 6

Chair features?

Answer 6

1. Easily adjustable height and angle
2. Adjustable back rest height, depth, angle
3. Cloth covered
4. Seat accomodate thighs and have curved edge
5. 5-pt castor base for stability
6. Enable neutral spine posture, hips slightly higher than knees
7. Arm rests

Question 7

How do you determine seat height?

Answer 7

1. STAND in front, seat at knee level
2. SIT fit clenched fist b/w legs and seat
3. ADJUST backrest to support lower back curve

Question 8

What posture is good for phone calls or thinking?

Answer 8

Upright or slight backward lean

Question 9

How many fingers behind knee?

Answer 9

2-3

Question 10

Work surface height for writing?

Answer 10

Elbow height or just above

Question 11

Work surface height for keyboard use?

Answer 11

Just below elbow height

Question 12

Alternate chairs?

Answer 12

• fit balls
• kneeling chair
• saddle chair
• sit-stand station
• active workstations

Question 13

How far should top of screen be from eyes?

Answer 13

600-700mm (arms length)

Question 14

What should top of screen be level with?

Answer 14

Eyes. Lower for bi-focal wearers.

Question 15

Tilt of screen?

Answer 15

5 degrees upward to reduce glare

Question 16

How far should keyboard be from edge of desk?

Answer 16

> =10cm to allow for wrist/forearm to rest

Question 17

What’s NOT recommended?

Answer 17

Separate keyboard trays, wrist rests

Question 18

Recommended mouse/keyboard use?

Answer 18

<5hrs/day

Question 19

Alternative mouse?

Answer 19

Hover mouse, vertical mouse

Question 20

Feet position?

Answer 20

Flat on floor, or use footrest/books to relieve pressure on thighs (parallel to floor)

Question 21

What’s wrong with fit balls?

Answer 21

• Safety hazard
• Variable LB support
• Difficult to navigate around workstation
• Good for exercise, but NOT recommended for 8hr use
• Greater thoracic erector spinae muscle activity

Question 22

Pros for kneeling chair?

Answer 22

Encourages good spinal posture

Question 23

Cons for kneeling chair?

Answer 23

• Increased strain on knees, constrains legs = reducing mvt and circulation
• Only some have back rest
• Difficult to access and exit quickly
• Difficult to use with a skirt

Question 24

Pros of saddle/Bambach chair?

Answer 24

• Adjustable height and seat angle
• Good spinal posture
• May have LB support
• Allows manoeuvrability
• Good for workers to get close to clients

Question 25

Cons of saddle chair?

Answer 25

• Discomfort in saddle area

Question 26

What’s the best workplace intervention to reduce MSK pain in office workers?

Answer 26

Resistance training!